Sunday, September 11, 2005

Bengals should cruise by new-look Browns
By BOB MATTHEWS



The Cleveland Browns have been the NFL's
losingest team since they returned to the league
in 1999. New coach Romeo Crennel has to be an
upgrade over departed Butch Davis but his roster
overhaul won't pay immediate dividends.

The Browns have a few playmakers on offense but
the team isn't likely to light up the scoreboard
with retread quarterback Trent Dilfer. It will
take time for the rebuilt defense to become an
effective unit.

The growing pains should be over for the
Cincinnati Bengals. After two straight 8-8
seasons, they're poised to make the playoffs and
determined to avoid the 1-4 starts of the past
two seasons.

The visiting Bengals are favored by only 3.5
points on Sunday and this week's "Best Bet":
Cincinnati 28, CLEVELAND 10.


Bob Matthews writes commentary for Gannett News
Service.


"Tail-end Charlie in a Purple Heart Box"




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