NFL Football Picks: Inpired Seahawks Travel East To Tackle Browns

Saturday, October 22, 2011

by Aengus Moorehead

Peyton Hillis - NFL Football Picks: Inpired Seahawks Travel East To Tackle Browns

Analysis:
Peyton Hillis is still a member of the Cleveland Browns, but the passing of the trade deadline hasn't lifted the clouds of controversy hanging over the running back.

The status of Hillis and his ailing hamstring is still up in the air for this Sunday's meeting with the Seattle Seahawks, who hope the recent bye week was enough to get their starting quarterback onto the field at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Hillis burst onto the Cleveland scene a year ago and rushed for over 1,000 yards while finding the end zone a total of 13 times. He became an instant star on an offense that needed one.

His follow-up campaign has been less of a fairy tale and more of a nightmare, however. The pending free agent hasn't made headway with getting a new contract and caught slack for sitting out a Sept. 25 game with strep throat, a move some thought was in response to the lack of a new deal.

The 25-year-old has only had 16 carries in two games since, including six for 14 yards in last Sunday's 24-17 loss at Oakland. The Browns eventually announced during the game that Hillis suffered a hamstring injury and was not benched.

Without Hillis, the Browns scored 10 points in the fourth quarter on a 47-yard field goal by Phil Dawson and a 12-yard touchdown pass by Colt McCoy to Mohamed Massaquoi. Cleveland then recovered an onside kick with just over a minute left, but couldn't find the end zone.

Cleveland lost its second straight game sandwiched around a bye week, but a victory on Sunday would still give the club its best start since going 3-3 in 2007.

The Seahawks are also 2-3 and are two weeks removed from a big 36-25 victory over the New York Giants, their second win in three games since starting the season with consecutive losses.

Charlie Whitehurst, stepping in for an injured Tarvaris Jackson at quarterback, completed a 27-yard touchdown pass to put Seattle in front, and cornerback Brandon Browner later iced the game with a 94- yard interception return.

Jackson was forced out of the contest in the third quarter with a bruised right shoulder, but Whitehurst was able to step in and throw for 146 yards on 10- of-18 passing without a pick.

The bye week came at a good spot for the Seahawks, giving Jackson some extra time to heal. Head coach Pete Carroll said that the club will still prepare this week as if Whitehurst is going to start, even though Jackson returned to the field on a limited basis this week.

Time & Venue:
- 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, October 23, 2011. Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Last Week's results:
- Seattle Seahawks (+9.5) beats host NY Giants 36-25 two weeks ago.
- Cleveland Browns (+6.5) loses to host Oakland Raiders 24-17.

Last week's ATS:
- Underdog Seattle (2-3) wins outright.
- Underdog Cleveland (2-3) loses and does not cover.

NFL Football Odds: Browns -3, O/U 41

Next up:
- Seattle home to Cincinnati, Sunday, October 30
- Cleveland at San Francisco, Sunday, October 30

Seattle exploded for a season-high 424 yards in their road victory over the Giants, with Whitehurst going 11 for 19 in relief of Jackson. Whitehurst threw the go-ahead touchdown pass with just over two minutes remaining, hitting Doug Baldwin with a 27-yard pass. The Seahawks could catch a break in the passing game on Sunday, as Browns cornerback Joe Haden is questionable with a sprained knee.

Cleveland got burned on special teams for a pair of touchdowns in last Sunday’s 24-17 loss to the Oakland Raiders, surrendering a 101-yard kickoff return and failing to sniff out a fake punt. The Browns held the ball for nearly 10 minutes less than the Raiders and have had trouble controlling the ball due to a rushing game that ranks 30th in the NFL, averaging 81.6 yards.

Browns linebacker Scott Fujita could miss the game with post-concussion symptoms.

Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch rushed for a season-high 98 yards two weeks ago and has scored in two straight games.

Browns tight end Benjamin Watson needs 29 receiving yards to reach 1,000 for his career.

Cleveland is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games
Cleveland is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
Cleveland is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games at home
Seattle is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Seattle is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Seattle's last 8 games on the road

Neither team is likely to light up the scoreboard this weekend in Cleveland. Though the Seahawks come into the game the fresher of the two clubs and off a big win, the status of Tarvaris Jackson will impact how the offense plans for this contest.

Cleveland's offense, meanwhile, continues to play a low-risk style that has led to consistent production, if not a lot of points. If that trend continues and the Browns defense makes a few plays, it should add up to a victory.

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NFL Football Pick: Take Browns.

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benjamin watson - brandon browner - charlie whitehurst - cleveland browns - cleveland browns stadium - colt mccoy - doug baldwin - joe haden - marshawn lynch - mohamed massaquoi