posted August 21, 2008 at 17:45 EST in NFL Free Picks
Impressive Browns Faceoff with Improved Lions
by BetUS Staff
The Cleveland Browns (10-6 SU, 12-4 ATS in 2007; 0-2 SU & ATS in pre-season) and the Detroit Lions (7-9 SU, 6-9-1 ATS in 2007; 2-0 SU, 1-0-1 ATS in pre-season), two teams who normally play high-scoring games, will get together in the third exhibition game for both teams, scheduled to kick off at 4 PM ET on Saturday (August 23) at Ford Field (artificial turf) in Detroit.
Saturday, August 23
BetUS NFL Betting Odds: DETROIT -3, Total 41
NOTABLE STAT: Detroit was last in points allowed in 2007 (27.8 ppg)
KEY NFL FOOTBALL BETTING TREND: Detroit is 1-5-1 ATS in last seven at home in pre-season
In the BetUS NFL pre-season football betting odds, the Lions are listed as a three-point favorite, with the total posted at 41 points.
Here are some NFL betting trends as they relate to this matchup (reflecting numbers going into the 2008 season):
* CLEV has lost eight of its last 11 games SU
* CLEV has covered nine of its last 11 games
* CLEV has played its last six games UNDER the total
* CLEV has covered four of its last six road games
* DET has lost seven of its last eight games SU
* DET has covered one of its last eight games
* DET has played five of its last six games OVER the total
* DET has won five of its last eight home games SU
* DET has played five of its last seven home games OVER the total
Pre-Season trends:
* CLEV has covered three of its last four road pre-season games
* DET has won four of its last six pre-season games SU
* DET has played four of its last six pre-season games OVER the total
* DET is 1-5-1 ATS in its last seven home pre-season games
The Browns had a donnybrook last week against the Giants, coming all the way back from a 30-3 deficit after just 16 minutes of play to roar back to within a field goal before succumbing to a 37-34 margin.
Cleveland is not going to go with the regular plan of playing its starters extensively in this one. That's because many of the starters will be missing. Derek Anderson left last week's game with a concussion. Also, running back Jamal Lewis will be missing, as will wide receiver Braylon Edwards, return man Josh Cribbs and linebacker Willie McGinest.
This is a critical start for Brady Quinn at quarterback. The first-round draft choice from last year had a solid outing against the Jets in the pre-season opener, completing 13 of 17 passes, although he threw an interception. Against the Giants, Quinn was 7 for 12 and tossed a touchdown pass and started the charge that led Cleveland back. Ken Dorsey was impressive, completing nine of 11 passes for 143 yards. He will play in the second half of this game.
The guy to watch here is Syndric Steptoe, who gained 80 yards receiving, including a 44-yard TD pass from Quinn, had a seven-yard run, and returned two kickoffs for 130 yards. Against the Jets he had 73 yards in two returns, meaning that he is averaging over 50 yards a return. To think that anyone is still talking about whether he's going to make the roster is preposterous.
The Lions beat up on Cincinnati by a 27-10 score last Sunday. At quarterback, Dan Ostrovsky got most of the action, completing 11 of 22 passes. But Drew Stanton threw a 50-yard touchdown pass and ran for a 10-yard TD. He will get more work in this contest, to be sure.
In the transition from Mike Martz's wide-open attack to the more conservative running-based approach, rookie Kevin Smith is going to be counted on to carry the rock. But journeyman Artose Pinner is making a bid for playing time, as he gained 52 yards against the Bengals. And lest we forget the passing game, Calvin Johnson caught a touchdown and had 76 yards on just three receptions.
Detroit is playing well in the pre-season, and getting a lot of good press for doing it. Creating hope with the press and the fans is probably not a small thing for this franchise, which has been a sad sack for so many years. We'll look for Detroit to continue that against the banged-up Browns, and will lay the three points with the Lions in the BetUS NFL pre-season football betting odds.
JAY'S PLAY: DETROIT -3 **
(Graded on a scale of 1-4 stars)
(Charles Jay of www.ebookies.com is a member of the NFL too - that is, "not for long" if you don't get results. He is now a regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room)
