Quarterbacks
        Gus Frerotte has to stay away from the interception that leads to easy points. He didn't last week.
        Kelly Holcomb is making just his third NFL start, but he fits well into the system of offensive coordinator Bruce Arians and showed it last week.
        Edge: Browns

        Running Backs
        Corey Dillon's 123.5-yards-a-game history against the Browns is enough to bank on.
        Injuries and a personnel shift on offensive line, plus a motivated Bengals front seven, should prevent William Green from getting untracked.
        Edge: Bengals

        Wide receivers - tight ends
The Bengals are still waiting for a first career catch from their three tight ends - any of them. But they have to get on the field first.
        Two words: Kevin Johnson. He's averaging 105.8 receiving yards in six games against the Bengals.
        Edge: Browns

        Offensive line
        The Bengals want to atone after last week's miserable performance. They are motivated to give Dillon plenty of running room.
        The Browns can pass block, especially when quarterbacks take three-step drops and throw quick slants. Two new starters can't help, though.
        Edge: Bengals

        Defensive line
        The Bengals' front four, especially Bernard Whittington and Oliver Gibson, should be able to take advantage of backups starting on the Browns offensive line.
        Think the Bengals front four had a bad game in the opener? The Browns were worse. Franchise linemen Courtney Brown and Gerard Warren each had just three tackles.
        Edge: Bengals

        Linebackers
        Takeo Spikes, whether the stat is 10 or 18 tackles, played one of his best games as a Bengal last week and showed he should get Pro Bowl nods.
        Working hand in had with the front four, the Browns linebackers gave up an unbelievable 8 yards a play to Kansas City. Darren Hambrick is no Jamir Miller.
        Edge: Bengals

        Defensive backs
        The Bengals should be able to stop the run. The pressure is on the secondary, particularly cornerbacks Artrell Hawkins and Jeff Burris. Time to live up to offseason hype.
        After leading the league with 33 interceptions last season, the Browns had one last week by Daylon McCutcheon that led directly to a field goal.
        Edge: Browns

        Coaching
        The Bengals have never played two stinkers in a row under Dick LeBeau. A bomb today would open LeBeau to criticism he was too soft on his players in wake of opener.
        Butch Davis and his staff didn't have a good opening weekend, either. His team lost its composure and a 10-point fourth-quarter lead.
        Edge: Even

        Overall
        The Bengals will play well today. They might not win, but at least they'll show up - unlike last week.
        The Browns are at home. Holcomb and his receivers are hot. Both teams will score points, but the Bengals will have to work harder for theirs.
        Edge: Browns

        Mark Curnutte's Pick
        Browns 24, Bengals 19
       

Brown means go for Dillon Who's got the edge? Burris on the spot Keys to the game Levi Jones' Rookie Journal Mark's Curnutte's NFL picks

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