This year’s rookie sensation is set up to take on last year’s with Jameis Winston and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosting Johnny Manziel and the Cleveland Browns with one team off a big win and the other still winless this preseason.
ODDS ANALYSIS
After a dominating 25-11 victory over the Bengals in their preseason home opener on Monday, the Bucs are the hot team right now and opened as 3-point favorites over the Browns. Cleveland dropped each of their first two games.
The total for this game is sitting at 41.5 which is a bit high considering Cleveland has averaged just 12.5 points per game over their first two preseason games.
QUARTERBACK ROTATION
In his limited time on the field in Week 2, Jameis Winston was solid, throwing for 90-yards on 8 of 13 attempted passes. Winston also led the team to a touchdown which he rushed in from one-yard out.
Winston should get more of a look in Week 3. The rookie out of FSU is 17-for-32 overall with 221 yards. He does have an interception and three sacks, but has still been pretty good overall.
Behind Winston, the Bucs have Mike Glennon who has thrown for the team’s lone touchdown and is 20-of-33 for 227 yards.
In the visiting locker room, the Browns have last year’s rookie sensation in Johnny Manziel.
Johnny Football has gotten most of the looks under center in Browns’ camp—at least during the games—and is 17-for-29 with a touchdown and 160 yards as he’s looked like a different player. He’s got some shoulder issues that could cause him to miss the game.
Even if Manziel is ready to go, Josh McCown will likely get the start. He’s been pegged as the team’s starter from way back in March, but the Browns are starting to waiver on the veteran after a few weeks of training camp.
McCown hasn’t impressed in camp and in his preseason action, although completing 12 of 15 passes, he’s thrown a couple interceptions and been sacked three times.
Given the questions around McCown and Manziel, Connor Shaw and Thad Lewis may get looks, but neither are anything more than depth players right now.
COACHES' MOTIVATION
Well into training camp now, the team should have Mike Pettine’s system down, but with back-to-back losses and a full-fledged quarterback controversy on his hands, Pettine needs some good news and a win could be just the remedy.
I don’t look for Pettine to win at all costs, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he rides his first-string a bit longer than normal to give the Browns an edge.
Of course, Lovie Smith has a lot to prove, too, after a 2-14 campaign last year, but he’s a veteran coach with a proven track record. He’s also got his feel good story in camp given how well Winston has adjusted thus far.
QUOTE TO NOTE
With quarterback concerns in Cleveland, one thing is clear in Tampa Bay, Lovie Smith is impressed by Winston. After he lead the team to a 25-11 win over Cincinnati on Monday, Smith said:
“I though Jameis Winston was outstanding with his play.”
POSITION BATTLE TO WATCH
Quarterback in Cleveland has to be the biggest battle between these two teams. With Pettine opening the door after committing to McCown early on, there is clearly something going on with the Browns and it would seem Manziel has a shot to grab ahold of the job.
Provided both are healthy, there could be a lot of different plays and situations that the coaching staff looks at for both QBs as they make their minds up when the games count in September.
Another interesting story, though not a battle, per se, is Terrelle Pryor. The quarterback turned wideout is trying to earn playing time. He’s certainly a dynamic athlete, but can Cleveland utilize his talents and make him a dynamic player for them?
INJURIES
Defensive backs Joe Haden and Tashaun Gipson sat out of practice on Monday, but both seemed to be precautionary moves by the Browns. They should play on Saturday, as should Manziel.
On the other side, the Bucs may be without key wide receiver Mike Evans who left Monday’s game with a hamstring injury. Nickleback Leonard Johnson also left the game with an ankle injury.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Bucs looked really good against Cincinnati with Winston playing well. The stability they’ve got at the quarterback position gives them the edge. Solid runs by Doug Martin and Mike James were also encouraging.
On the other side, the Browns’ defense is the strength and there are injury concerns around a couple key players.
Tampa Bay 20, Cleveland 16
BookMaker opened the spread for this Saturday game at -3 in favor of the Buccaneers. The NFL odds total surfaced at 41.5. Now you can wager in-game while the action unfolds with BookMaker's live betting option.
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