CLEVELAND — The odds finally caught up to the Cleveland Browns in their third year of expansion. For the first time since returning to the NFL in 1999, the Browns won't be underdogs today.

        And, for the first time in its rebirth, Cleveland is dealing with some serious off-field issues following the arrests and suspensions this week of three players, including top draft pick Gerard Warren.

        Welcome back, indeed.

        Las Vegas bookmakers make the Browns (5-4) 4 1/2-point favorites against the Bengals (4-5), who beat Cleveland 24-14 in their previous meeting on Oct. 14.

        A nod from the bookies was another sign of validation and respect for the Browns, who after winning just five games in two seasons have turned it around under first-year coach Butch Davis.

        So after not being expected to win any of their previous 41 games, the Browns find themselves in a new role — as favorites.

        “Yeah, for the first time ever,” said linebacker Jamir Miller. “That's funny. I've enjoyed being an underdog, but that really doesn't mean anything, because we've beaten a lot of teams who have been favored over us.”

        The closest the Browns had come to being favored was against Detroit earlier this year when they went in as 1-point underdogs before beating the Lions by 10.

        Cornerback Corey Fuller wonders how the Browns could be expected to beat the Bengals, who have won four of five against Cleveland since '99.

        “Man, I don't know how they favored us against the Bengals,” Fuller said with more than a little sarcasm. “The Bengals done beat us here, they done beat us there, they done beat us convincingly.”

        Most of Cleveland's players weren't even aware of their status as favorites when the team was blindsided by much more troubling news on Tuesday. In the span of four hours, Warren, fullback Mike Sellers and cornerback Lamar Chapman were arrested in separate incidents in two cities.

        All three were charged with felonies, and on Wednesday, Davis suspended starters Warren and Sellers for today's game. Chapman, who along with Sellers is facing drug charges, was already out for the year with an injury.

        “They let the team down and they let themselves down, and their families,” said Davis. “It's disappointing. It's embarrassing.”

Dillon key to Battle of Ohio Browns favored for first time Balanced offense worked the first time Who's got the edge? Players to watch Bengals-Browns by the numbers NFL power ratings Today's NFL predictions

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