Monday Night Football News and Notes

What's on the line: Browns at Eagles
By T.O. WHENHAM

Cleveland Browns at Philadelphia Eagles (-14, 39)

I could try to spin the facts, but I won't. This is not a good Monday Night Football game.

The Eagles will do their part. They are suddenly on the rise, with two big wins over playoff teams as they try to fight back into the postseason picture. It's the Browns that are the problem.

Ken Dorsey peaked years ago when he almost won the Heisman and now he has to lead a team of players that have quit and a coach who is counting the minutes until he is mercifully bought out of his contract.

Bettors are no more excited about this one. The comparatively light action is one-sided, with more than 70 percent of bets being placed on the home favorite Eagles. Philadelphia opened favored by two touchdowns and the line has stuck on that key number.

The lopsided action makes some upward movement inevitable and the lines has moved to 14.5 in some places. The movement is as you would expect given the action, so there is no sign of suspicious activity from the smart money or elsewhere.

You might as well get used to this line, because it's not going to get any better for the Browns.

"We expect the one-sided action on Philly to continue coming in, with little interest in backing the Browns," says Randy Scott, sportsbook manager at betED.com.

The total hasn't moved yet, but it seems more than likely that it will. The public loves the over and on Monday nights this year they have been handsomely rewarded for their obsession. The total opened at 39 points. According to Scott, there has only been action on the over at that number.

Both teams have gone over in a majority of their recent games - four of six for Cleveland and three of five for the Eagles. Dating back to 1999, four of the last fives meetings between these teams have gone over. If you are looking to take the under there are a few trends in your corner.

The Eagles have gone under in six of their last eight home games and are 13-6-2 on the under in their last 21 Monday night games. Cleveland has gone under in seven of its last eight games in December and 13 of 19 overall.

The fate of the Browns rests on the shoulders of Ken Dorsey. That's not a good thing. In one start and one stint of mop-up duty, Dorsey has completed 22 of his 46 passes for 150 yards and two interceptions. He's averaged a pathetic 3.26 yards per attempt.

Dorsey has seen about as much action as Matt Cassel in the last couple of years, so you could argue that he caught a rough break by having to make his first Cleveland start against Tennessee's potent defense. That may be true, but Philadelphia is virtually Tennessee's statistical peer when it comes to pass defense. It seems as if it would take a Christmas miracle for Dorsey to have a big game here.

If the Cleveland were to win the game and keep it under, then someone would make a whole lot of money this weekend. And it wouldn't be the public.

Cleveland at Philadelphia
By Brian Edwards

Just three weeks ago, Donovan McNabb was benched and the Eagles were left for dead after a 36-7 loss at Baltimore. Many speculated that McNabb might not ever touch the field in Philadelphia again. Some suggested both Andy Reid and McNabb would be on their way out of the City of Brotherly Love at the end of the season.

Funny what a couple of impressive wins can do, right? With a blowout win over Arizona on Thanksgiving night and a stunningly dominant victory over the previously-red-hot Giants last week, the Eagles are back in the NFC playoff picture.

If they can win at home on Monday Night Football, they will be just one-half game out of a playoff spot.

Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened Philadelphia (7-5-1 straight up, 8-5 against the spread) as a 13½-point favorite with a total of 39. As of early Sunday night, most books had the Eagles at 14 with the total still at 39. Gamblers can back the Browns to win outright for a plus-700 return (risk $100 to win $700).

Cleveland (4-9 SU, 6-6-1 ATS) has endured a tough season that started with high expectations. The year has turned into a disaster that’ll most likely end with Romeo Crennel issued his walking papers.

The Browns are down to their third-string quarterback Ken Dorsey with Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn both going on injured reserve in recent weeks. With Dorsey making his first start since 2005, Cleveland lost a 28-9 decision at Tennessee last week. The Titans took the cash as 14-point favorites.

The loss was Cleveland’s third straight and the fifth in its last six games. Dorsey (predictably) struggled, connecting on 22-of-43 passes for just 150 yards and one interception. But we should note that the Browns jumped out to a 6-0 lead thanks to a pair of field goals from Phil Dawson, and they were ahead of the number until the Titans got the spread-covering touchdown on a 25-yard touchdown run by Chris Johnson with 8:30 left in the fourth quarter.

Philadelphia bounced back from the Baltimore debacle by spanking Arizona 48-20 as a three-point home favorite. One week after being benched, McNabb threw four touchdown passes against the Cardinals.

Then last week, the Eagles ended the Giants’ seven-game winning streak by going into the Meadowlands and earning a 20-14 win that wasn’t nearly as close as the final score indicated. Philadelphia won outright as a 6½-point underdog, hooking up money-line backers with a plus-200 payout.

Brian Westbrook ran for 131 yards and had six catches for 72 yards. He scored on a 30-yard touchdown run and also had a 40-yard TD reception from McNabb, who didn’t commit a turnover for the second straight game. McNabb has five TD passes and no interceptions since being benched against the Ravens.

Cleveland owns a 3-3 record both SU and ATS on the road. Meanwhile, the Eagles are 4-2 both SU and ATS at home.

Cleveland will be without tight end Kellen Winslow Jr., who might miss the rest of the season with a badly sprained ankle. Winslow has had a disappointing year, making 43 catches for 428 yards and three touchdowns.

The Browns have played two of their best games on MNF this year. They destroyed the Giants 35-14 at home and won 29-27 at Buffalo. The 'over' cashed in both of those games.

The ‘under’ is 7-6 overall for the Eagles, 4-2 in their home games. The Browns have also seen the ‘under’ go 7-6 overall, 3-3 in their road assignments.

ESPN will have television coverage at 8:30 p.m. Eastern.

**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**

--The Eagles have won nine of their last 11 games played in December.

--Cleveland’s only prior double-digit underdog spot in 2008 came in last week’s loss at Tennessee. As for the Eagles, they haven’t been double-digit favorites since 2006 when the Titans went into Philly and captured a 31-13 victory as 13-point road underdogs.

-- During Crennel’s tenure, the Browns are 13-11-1 ATS as road underdogs.

--McNabb has a 19/10 touchdown-interception ratio in 2008.

--Dorsey’s career TD-INT ratio: 8/13. This will be Dorsey’s 12th career start in six NFL seasons.

--In the five seasons since the Browns used a first-round pick on Winslow, he has played in 44 career games. But he will miss his 34th game tonight. Might his days in Cleveland be numbered?

--Atlanta defensive end John Abraham was sensational in Atlanta's 13-10 win over Tampa Bay in overtime. Abraham had three sacks.

--Props to New England quarterback Matt Cassel, who threw four touchdown passes in a pivotal blowout win at Oakland just six days after his father's death. Brett Favre had a nearly identical performance in a blowout win at Oakland just one day after his father passed away in 2003.

--The Lions are only the third team in the NFL to lose their first 14 games since 1970. However, we should point out that Detroit has covered the spread in back-to-back games, including Sunday's 31-21 loss at Indianapolis as a 17-point underdog.

vegasinsider.com

Cleveland (4-9, 7-6 ATS) at Philadelphia (7-5-1, 8-5 ATS)

The Eagles will try to keep their playoff hopes alive when they go for their third straight victory as they host the reeling Browns at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

Brian Westbrook carried the load for Philadelphia in last weekend’s 20-14 upset victory at the Giants as 6½-point ‘dogs. At New York, Westbrook rushed for 131 yards and a touchdown and had 72 receiving yards and another score, and he’s got six touchdowns and 241 rushing yards over the last two weeks. Philadelphia has outscored the opposition 68-34 in back-to-back wins over the Giants and Cardinals, outgaining those two foes by 297 total yards.

Cleveland hasn’t been able to produce anything offensively the last three weeks, scoring a total of 21 points (seven field goals) and averaging 203.7 yards per game (126.7 passing, 77 rushing). In last week’s 28-9 loss at Tennessee as a 14-point underdog, the Browns mustered just 35 rushing yards and three field goals, while the defense gave up 490 total yards (235 rushing). Also, third-string QB Ken Dorsey – filling in for both Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson, both of whom are out for the season – completed 22 of 43 passes for 150 yards and an interception.

Overall, the Browns have lost five of their last six (1-4-1 ATS), but despite last week’s result in Tennessee, they have been a solid bet on the highway, going 4-1 ATS in their last five. They’re also 5-1-1 ATS in their last seven as an underdog and 16-11 ATS all-time on Monday nights (16-12), including 2-0 SU and ATS this season on Mondays, with upset wins at Buffalo (29-27) and at home against the then-undefeated Giants (35-14).

Philadelphia is on ATS runs of 7-3 after a straight-up win, 5-1 in Week 15 contests, 4-1 on Mondays and 5-2 after a spread cover. In their history, the Eagles are 24-22 SU (28-18 ATS) under the Monday spotlight, including a 41-37 loss at Dallas as a 6½-point road underdog back in Week 2.

These teams haven’t met since 2004, when the Eagles got a 34-31 overtime victory in Cleveland but failed to cover as 7½-point favorites.

For Cleveland, the under is on runs of 13-6 overall, 12-5 when playing on grass, 6-2 following an ATS loss and 7-1 in December. Philadelphia is on “under” streaks of 6-2 at home, 39-15-4 as a favorite, 23-7-3 as a home chalk, 13-6-2 on Mondays and 4-1 in December.

Conversely, the over is 12-3 in Monday night games this season and 18-5 in non-Sunday NFL games this season.

ATS ADVANTAGE: PHILADELPHIA

Gametimepicks.com

Where the action is: Monday Night Football

Cleveland Browns at Philadelphia Eagles

Line/total: We opened the Eagles as a 14-point favorite with a total of 39 points. Most of the early money is on the Eagles and the majority of the action come in Sunday. We were forced to go to 14.5 late Sunday afternoon and then 15.5 Sunday night. The public is all over the Eagles in this game. I doubt we’ll see much support for the Browns even at 15.5. Predictably, the public is also betting this game over. We moved to 39.5 Sunday evening and if weather and wind looks calm in Philly, we'll probably close the total around 40.5 points.

Matchup of the game: Browns 27th ranked defense vs. All -Pro RB Brian Westbrook, who’s playing his best football of the season. Westbrook is averaging 166.5 yards from scrimmage his last two games and has scored 6 TDs in those games. He's on fire.

Key injuries: Browns – TE Kellen Winslow is expected to miss. WR Josh Cribbs, OG Rex Hadnot, DE Corey Williams, DE Shaun Smith, DT Louis Leonard, FBCharles Ali and LB Beau Bell are all listed questionable. LB Shantee Orr, RB Jerome Harrison, and DT Shaun Rogers were all injured last game and are listed questionable tonight.

Eagles – WR Reggie Brown will probably be deactivated for this game. TE LJ Smith, RB Brian Westbrook, WR Kevin Curtis, OT Jon Runyanand RB Correll Buckhalter have all be upgraded to probable.

Weather: Game time temperatures in the Mid 40s with a chance a good chance of light rain. There will be a slight breeze.

NFL Research Report
By Indiancowboy

Browns vs. Eagles

There is possible inclement weather for this game and Winslow is listed as doubtful. Well, the Eagles come off the biggest win of the season at the Giants and now face a 14 point spread. Lol. Cleveland is 1-4-1 ATS over their last six games but did win at Buffalo outright earlier this year. Philly comes off back to back covers winning big against Arizona as well as the Giants on the road. I think the Eagles offense will put up around 30 to 35 points here but the question is what will the Eagles defense do as it relates to this cover. Once again, when you come off a big public win such as what the Eagles did, it is very tough to step up the next game against an inflated line and cover. This is Monday Night Football and remember what the Browns did last time on MNF – they defeated the Giants themselves outright at home as 9 point dogs. They were led by Anderson in that game much the same way when they defeated the Bengals on the road with Anderson. Stollworth faces his old team here and although Winslow is listed as doubtful for this game, this team still has Braylon Edwards and an up and coming tight end as well. Dorsey attempted nearly 45 pass attempts at Tennessee and this team I think did very admirably against the Titans. I lean on the Browns here but I just can’t go against the Eagles who are playing with a chip on their shoulder, in particular, McNabb is ever since he was called out and questioned openly by the media and made fun of because of the tie against the Bengals on the road. The public is on the over to a tune of 70% as well.

Cleveland (4-9) at Philadelphia (7-5-1)

(Sports Network) - With impressive wins over the playoff-bound Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants in their past two games, the Philadelphia Eagles have picked up an important measure of momentum in their own charge toward the playoffs.

On Monday night, when the struggling Cleveland Browns and third-string quarterback Ken Dorsey visit Lincoln Financial Field, there's little reason to expect the Eagles to stop rolling.

Philadelphia was left for dead by many of the pundits during a disastrous three-week stretch prior to Thanksgiving, when the Eagles lost to the Giants (36-31), tied the one-win Bengals (13-13), and were drummed by the Ravens (36-7), with the final game in that trio appearing to signal the fall of the Birds as a relevant NFC contender.

The benching of longtime franchise face Donovan McNabb in favor of second-year man Kevin Kolb in that defeat made national headlines, as did the revelation one week prior that McNabb was unfamiliar with the NFL's long-standing overtime rules.

Following the Baltimore loss, it was difficult to envision the then-last place Eagles picking themselves off the mat and making a run toward the postseason, but that is exactly what Andy Reid's squad has done during an encouraging two- game stretch.

McNabb, re-inserted as the starter for the Thanksgiving night win over the Cardinals, has responded by completing 46-of-69 (66.7 percent) of his passes for 451 yards, five touchdowns, and zero interceptions in his last two games, as Philly has climbed out of the NFC East cellar and onto the doorstep of the conference Wild Card race.

At the same time, oft-injured Eagles running back Brian Westbrook has suddenly looked like a new man, shaking off ankle, knee, and rib injuries that had diminished his performance earlier in the year to rush for 241 yards, catch nine passes for another 92 yards, and score six touchdowns in his past two games combined.

Clearly, the Eagles are waking up at exactly the right juncture in the season, just as the Browns are being put to bed.

A season that began with such promise for Romeo Crennel's club has now descended into a 4-9 abyss, with injuries, misfortune, and just flat-out poor play conspiring to send the Browns to their eighth losing season in 10 years since returning to the league.

Last Sunday's 28-9 loss at Tennessee saw the Browns use their third starting quarterback - the ex-49er and Miami Hurricane Dorsey - after injuries knocked both Derek Anderson (knee) and Brady Quinn (finger) out for the season.

Predictably, Dorsey's first start since 2005 was less than memorable, as he completed 22-of-43 passes for just 150 yards with no touchdowns and an interception on the day. Only one of Dorsey's completions against the Titans went for longer than 15 yards, he led Cleveland to only 12 first downs on the afternoon, and none of his three scoring drives (all of which resulted in field goals) was longer than 33 yards.

There is hope for Dorsey and the Browns on Monday, however, and that glimmer comes in the form of another chance under the primetime lights.

The Browns are 2-0 in Monday night games this year, owning wins over the Giants and Bills, and Dorsey can become the third different Cleveland quarterback to lead the team to a Monday night win this season, joining Anderson and Quinn.

SERIES HISTORY

Cleveland leads the all-time series with Philadelphia, which dates back to 1950, by a margin of 31-14-1. The Eagles have a two-game win streak in the series, however, including a 34-31 overtime victory in the last such meeting, in C-Town in 2004. The Browns' last victory over the Eagles took place in 1994 at Veterans Stadium.

Reid is 2-0 against Cleveland in his career, while the Browns' Crennel will be facing both Reid and the Eagles for the first time.

WHEN THE BROWNS HAVE THE BALL

The Browns head to Philadelphia on Monday having not scored a touchdown in 12 quarters, with their most recent trip to the end zone coming when running back Jerome Harrison (246 rushing yards, 10 receptions, 2 TD) crossed the goal line on a 72-yard run in the fourth quarter of the Buffalo win way back on Nov. 17th. At this stage of the year, there is very little to recommend a once- proud Cleveland offense. The running game has dropped to 24th in the league (100.1 yards per game), with top rusher Jamal Lewis (800 rushing yards, 4 TD, 20 receptions) reverting back to the form that made him expendable in Baltimore. The passing game is being run by Dorsey (150 passing yards 0 TD, 2 INT), who has some experience as an NFL starter but was a fringe player for a reason, and is also minus one of his potential top targets in Kellen Winslow. Winslow is unlikely to play Monday due to a badly sprained right ankle, and Steve Heiden (23 receptions) will once again get the start in his place. At wideout, Braylon Edwards' (45 receptions, 3 TD) disappointing 2008 season continues, as the former Pro Bowler had just three catches for 38 yards in Tennessee last week. Ex-Eagle Donte' Stallworth (14 receptions, 1 TD) has largely been a non-factor this year as well, but might be able to rouse himself against his former team. The Browns o-line is probably the strength of the offense at this stage, having allowed just 16 sacks all year.

Pressuring Dorsey from all angles figures to be among the directives for the Eagles, who rank third in the league with 39 sacks, on Monday night. Philly did not have a sack of the quick-triggered Eli Manning last Sunday, but ends Darren Howard (22 tackles, 8 sacks, 1 INT), Trent Cole (65 tackles, 7 sacks), and Juqua Parker (40 tackles, 5 sacks, 1 INT) have all been consistently impactful pass rushers this year. On the back end, Asante Samuel (29 tackles, 3 INT) and Sheldon Brown (43 tackles, 1 sack) will have responsibility for preventing Edwards and/or Stallworth from making a big play, and safeties Brian Dawkins (61 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT) and Quintin Mikell (81 tackles, 3 INT, 2 sack) will help out over the top. Mikell had a team-high-tying nine tackles in New York last Sunday. The Eagles come into Monday's contest ranked seventh in the league against the run (93.1 yards per game), and did a terrific job in limiting the Giants' top-ranked rush game to just 88 yards on 24 carries a week ago. Tackles Mike Patterson (33 tackles, 1 INT) and Brodrick Bunkley (39 tackles, 2 sacks) set the tone at the point of attack, while linebackers Stewart Bradley (90 tackles, 1 sack), Akeem Jordan (37 tackles), and Chris Gocong (46 tackles, 2 sacks) have done a nice job behind them for much of this year.

WHEN THE EAGLES HAVE THE BALL

As usual, the Philadelphia offense on Monday night will be about the effectiveness of McNabb (3221 passing yards, 19 TD, 10 INT) and Westbrook (788 rushing yards, 43 receptions, 14 TD), who have taken it upon themselves to revitalize the team's playoff hopes in recent weeks. But the Eagles do possess other weapons, and the team will want to utilize players like rookie wideout DeSean Jackson (53 receptions, 4 TD) and tight end L.J. Smith (28 receptions, 3 TD), given the Browns' likely preoccupation with McNabb and Westbrook. Smith had six catches for 44 yards at the Giants last week, but Jackson did not have a reception for the first time this year and will be seeking to bounce back. Wideouts Hank Baskett (30 receptions, 3 TD) and Jason Avant (25 receptions, 2 TD) will factor into the mix as well, but the Eagles may rest Kevin Curtis (28 receptions, 1 TD) due to a concussion. The Birds are seventh in NFL total offense (354.8 yards per game), fifth in passing offense (249.8 yards per game), and 22nd in rushing offense (104.9 yards per game) as Week 15 begins.

There's little reason to expect the Philadelphia offense to have much trouble on Monday night against a Cleveland "D" that ranks just 27th overall (359.3 yards per game), including 28th against the run (148.5 yards per game) and 30th in sacks (15). The Tennessee running game went through Cleveland's front seven like a hot knife through butter last week, with Chris Johnson and LenDale White combining for 235 ground yards in the game. The run-stopping group, led by nose tackle Shaun Rogers (64 tackles, 4.5 sacks) and including inside linebackers D'Qwell Jackson (130 tackles, 3 INT, 2 sacks) and Andra Davis (68 tackles, 1 INT), will have to do a better job this week. The Browns are a more respectable 15th against the pass (208 yards per game) this year, and a team that has posted a high total of interceptions (19) is capable of a big play despite the lack of help from the team's pass rush. Jackson had two interceptions of Tennessee's Kerry Collins last Sunday, and cornerback Eric Wright (54 tackles, 3 INT) and safety Brodney Pool (55 tackles, 3 INT, 1 sack) have also been impact players in the secondary. Rogers is the team leader in sacks from his spot on the interior.

FANTASY FOCUS

Given that the Browns have scored 21 points in their past three games combined and don't have a touchdown over that span, you can pretty much forget about using any Cleveland players in fantasy this week. The most reliable fantasy players on the team have been Winslow and kicker Phil Dawson, but the former is likely out for Monday and the latter might not get many chances with Dorsey running the offense.

Meanwhile, the Eagles' renaissance gives you a reason to start several members of the team. McNabb and Westbrook figure to keep on rolling on Monday, the defense is an excellent play, and people like Jackson, L.J. Smith, and inconsistent kicker David Akers are worth taking a flier on as well.

OVERALL ANALYSIS

The Eagles have not always answered the bell against weak opponents, but a Monday night game that also ranks as a must-win in terms of the team's playoff possibilities should capture their attention. In addition to having better focus and more to play for, Philadelphia is a superior team to Cleveland in just about any personnel area you want to list, so this does not figure to be a game in which the result will be in doubt beyond the first half. Look for the Birds to come out firing in a game they simply must have, for defensive coordinator Jim Johnson to dial up some pressure on the still-rusty Dorsey, and for Philly to head into a monumental showdown at Washington next week as an eight-win club.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Eagles 31, Browns 7