Browns v. Dolphins

The Browns and Dolphins share 3-6 records, and on paper, they are similar teams. However, Miami's offense is a little more potent, and two of their three victories have come over some of the league's best teams. They opened the season with a 34-14 win over the Broncos, and beat Carolina, 27-24, in week three. Recently, the Dolphins dropped two close games to quality opponents, first losing 17-10 to Atlanta, and then, last week, going down to New England by a score of 23-16 . In last week's game, the Patriots had to rally to beat the Dolphins with a late score. That game also saw Miami drive 70 yards to put itself in position to tie the game, only to have Gus Frerrotte's 4th down pass from the Pats' 5 yard line bounce off Chris Chambers' fingertips in the end zone with less than a minute to play.

Gus Frerrotte is questionable for today. If he can't go, we get something called Sage Rosenfels. Anybody who has followed the Browns for any period of time knows that no-name backup QBs are like Kryptonite to them. In fact, I remember a game about 12 years ago against the Dolphins when Marino tore his achilles tendon in the first half, and Scott Mitchell (who nobody had heard of until then) came in and just lit the Browns up.

On top of everything else, the Browns are banged up where they can least afford to be--the offensive line. Andruzzi is listed as doubtful this week, while Coleman is questionable. Also, L.J. Shelton didn't distinguish himself with last week's performance, and this week, he faces Jason Taylor. Yikes.

The Dolphins aren't world beaters, but my guess is that they're good enough to beat the Browns in a close one, 24-20.