Broncos Favored After Miracle Finish In Opener

NFL News - September 18th, 2009 - Written by John

Cleveland at Denver -- After a forgettable off-season that included disputes with coaches, trades of star players and suspensions of a Pro Bowler, head coach Josh McDaniels could not have asked for a better way to start the season.

In what looks like a massive rebuilding year, Denver was able to play poorly, make mental mistakes and still escape with a win. The Broncos stole the opener against the Bengals with 11 seconds left on the clock, when a tipped pass from Kyle Orton fell into the hands of Brandon Stokley and was raced 86 yards to the end zone for the game-winner. It made up for the handful of dropped passes, drive-killing penalties and a pedestrian running game

Now the Broncos host another Ohio cellar-dweller in hopes of starting a probable 2-0, before they are likely to be favored against Oakland in Week Three. That kind of a beginning, despite obvious struggles, is a blessing for McDaniels, who has been harassed ever since replacing Mike Shanahan.

BetUS is presuming he will jump to 2-0, giving Denver a standard three-point advantage over the Browns. Vegas is proposing the game will be another low-scoring affair for Denver, posting an over/under of 39 1/2.

The Browns will need to get another big performance on special teams to pull the upset. Strike that, out of Josh Cribbs. The do-it-all player was used in almost every way possible in Cleveland's opener against Minnesota. He returned a 67-yard punt for a touchdown to remind everyone why he was a no-brainer for the '08 Pro Bowl. He lined up as the team's second receiver and even took a couple snaps in the Browns' wildcat prototype. He was stuffed at the goal line twice on keepers and he probably won't be used in that fashion as much. But as long as he lines up somewhere, Denver will be on notice.

If the Broncos are going to gain any steam with this game, they will have to get their big-play receivers in the game, more-so because of what it will do for the ensuing games. Viable fantasy option Eddie Royal was only targeted four times in the opener and Brandon Marshall will certainly have to cut down on the drops. The pair will need to find some kind of swagger before they head into the meat of their schedule. It will be a ferocious stretch starting in Week Four where they will face Dallas, New England, San Diego twice, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Washington and New York (N). The meager air attack allowed the Bengals to key in on Denver's running back duo of Correll Buckhalter and Knowshon Moreno. Neither was able to do much. Buckhalter led the team with 46 yards on eight carries and Moreno only tossed in 19 yards.

If you are looking for an interesting angle to wager on this game, BetUS is offering a prop bet on which rookie running back will be the first to run for 100 yards. Moreno is in that category with Arizona's Beanie Wells and Indianapolis' Donald Brown. Moreno has the longest odds, with a payout of +150. Wells and Brown deliver returns of +110 and +120, respectively.

Don't forget, however, it was the Browns who were bulldozed for 180 yards by Adrian Peterson in Week One. No, Buckhalter and Moreno are not in the same class, but one would have to believe that the advantage is with Denver here.

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