Free NFL Picks Cincinnati at Cleveland 10-3-2010

Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns

October 3rd 2010 1 PM EST

Line: Cincinnati -3

Overview:

The win less Browns are taking on the 2-1 Bengals this Sunday. The Browns have not lost a game by more than seven this year and the Bengals have lost only to the Patriots. The Browns clearly have been getting the worst end of this divisional “rivalry”. The Bengals look impressive thus far, but the Browns are due for a win after losing three close ones to good teams.

Keys to the Game:

• Carson Palmer still hasn’t gotten it together. In my sports picks last week, I mentioned that Palmer would find his rhythm, as he is an elite quarterback. Palmer needs to get on the same page as the rest of his team. It is mind boggling to think of him as a liability, but that is exactly what he is at this point. He doesn’t have quiet receivers. Both T.O. and Chad Ocho Cinco have shown maturity by letting their quarterback fix his own problems. The sky is the limit for the Bengals this year. They need their general to play at an elite level before people start to question whether or not he can get it done.

• Cincinnati has come close in each of their first three games, but the Bengals are by far the best offense they have faced. The Ravens carved them up last week, but Bengals are a complete offense. Josh Cribbs doesn’t play defense, so the Browns will have to find some way to slow down the Bengals offense.

• If the Browns want to have any sort of shot at this game, they are going to need to blow open some holes for Peyton Hillis. Hillis is an underrated back. Far from a household name, Hillis has 220 yards this year. More impressive than that, he is averaging 5.6 yards a carry. The Browns might be surprised by his production, but if it works, they need to continue getting him his carries.

Wrap up:

I don’t think they got this spread right. Sure the Browns kept it to within three with the Chiefs and the Bucs, but the Bengals are a cut above both of those teams. The Chiefs are undefeated, but they aren’t the caliber team the Bengals are. This isn’t going to be close. Easy call.

Free NFL Pick: Cincinnati -3