Time is quickly running out for Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine to pick his Week 1 starter at quarterback. After the first two weeks of preseason, neither Brian Hoyer nor Johnny Manziel has done enough to make their coach’s choice that much easier. Both will get one last shot to make their case when they go up against the St. Louis Rams, who are all set at quarterback with the newly-healthy Sam Bradford.
This is about as significant as a preseason game gets, as this quarterback pressure heats up what is already the week of the exhibition schedule that most teams trot out their starters with their Week 1 assignments in mind. Check out our preseason previews of the Saints vs. Colts and Chargers vs. 49ers, and read on for more on the Browns vs. Rams.
[sc:Football ]Cleveland Browns vs. St. Louis Rams Betting Preview and Prediction
Where: FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland
When: Saturday, August 23, 8:00 PM ET
Line: St. Louis Rams at Cleveland Browns – see all NFL lines
Why This Game Matters
[sc:NFL240banner ]For the Rams, this game will be another opportunity for starting quarterback Sam Bradford to shake off any remaining rust from his long injury layoff. Their defensive starters recovering from injuries should also get a few snaps in before the season, while Michael Sam continues to fight for a place on the roster.
Meanwhile, the Browns’ ongoing quarterback controversy has been the story of the NFL preseason. Manziel and Hoyer will get another chance to impress as Pettine forms his final decision about which of the under-performing slingers is the week 1 starter in this one, as they and others in the Browns offense continue to jockey for position on the depth chart.
Betting on the St. Louis Rams
Welcome back, Sam Bradford. The Rams’ starting QB made a successful return in his first game back from a ACL injury that ended his season last November. He went 9-for-12 for 101 yards and a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers last week, and spoke of feeling 100% healthy. In this one he’ll a few more snaps to get closer to full game speed before Week 1.
On the defensive end, key starters Jake Long, Michael Brockers, James Laurinaitis and Rodger Saffold are all progressing well from their injuries, and could all return against the Browns. Cornerback Janoris Jenkins, who’s been bothered by a hamstring injury, also appears to be ready to take part in his first preseason game.
While the starters get healthy, rookie defensive end Michael Sam is hard at work to secure a spot backing them up this season. Sam did his chances of doing so a lot of good by registering his first sack of the preseason against the Packers.
However, Sam’s main rival for one of those final places in the D-line, Ethan Westbrooks, also had a sack and four tackles. Sam will have another chance to prove his case against the Browns and Johnny Manziel, who lost to Sam’s Missouri team in Manziel’s last regular season college football game.
Betting on the Cleveland Browns
One way or another, Johnny Football always seems to be the subject of all the headlines. Unfortunately for Manziel, he didn’t grab them for his stellar play against the Washington Redskins. Instead, his one finger salute overshadowed the fact that he didn’t get any closer to convincing head coach Mike Pettine that he should be the starting quarterback.
While Manziel successfully led the Browns on their first touchdown drive of the preseason, he went just 7-for-16 for 65 yards. Brian Hoyer wasn’t any better, as got pulled early after going just 2-for-6 with 16 yards. Week 3 of preseason is usually the time where the starters get their final run out before Week 1, but Pettine’s procrastination in naming a starter may be delaying the Browns’ preparations.
Pettine should also be prepping who his eventual pick at quarterback will throw to. The final verdict on Josh Gordon’s one-year ban still looms, and the uncertainty of his fate has led to lackadaisical play in preseason. Miles Austin is the biggest candidate to be that No. 1 receiver if Gordon does get banned, and he’ll get an extended run against the Rams.
Speaking of runs, the running back duo of Terrance West and Ben Tate have gotten their share of playing time. West and Tate have averaged nine and eight carries, respectively, through the first two preseason games. This game should be their final participation in preseason before sitting out next week.
Writer’s Prediction
With a starting place on the line, Manziel and Hoyer up their game and lead the Browns against the Rams, who won’t expend their defensive starters too much. Create a betting account today and follow the exploits of Johnny Football in his rookie season.
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