We won’t get Johnny Football so the question looms: What kind of football will we see? Both teams will go with third-string quarterbacks to start in a meaningless game and the winner will be the one with the fewest injuries. The Browns routed the Bears in last year’s preseason finale, but Chicago has the home field this time, which has to count for something.
ODDS
Getting the home field where they’ve won five of their last six preseason games, the Bears opened as a 1.5-point favorite. The total surfaced at 38
QUARTERBACK ROTATION
Browns third-string quarterback Thaddeus Lewis played almost a quarter and a half Saturday in relief of starter Josh McCown and in place of Johnny Manziel, who was shutdown for the remainder of the preseason with elbow and arm soreness. Coach Mike Pettine said McCown will not play against the Bears, leaving the duties to Lewis, who hit on 4 of 5 attempts in a win at Tampa Bay last week. The backup to Lewis will be Pat Deviln, who signed with the Browns last week when Manziel was shutdown.
Jimmy Clausen probably wouldn’t have played in the preseason finale for the Bears, now we definitely know he won’t. Clausen took a blow to the head Saturday and experienced concussion-like symptoms after the game. He was replaced by second-year player David Fales, who finished off the last drive of the game completing his only pass attempt. Fales gets the start against the Browns with undrafted free agent Shane Carden taking some snaps. Fales has seen limited action in the preseason, completing 2 of 3 passes while Carden has yet to play.
COACHES' MOTIVATION
The Bears are faced with a lot of questions after Saturday’s loss at Cincinnati. The biggest question is: Where’s the offense? With the third exhibition game considered the most legitimate measuring stick, the Bears are in need of a new ruler after the first-team offense ran 17 plays, produced 48 yards, recorded three first downs and two drive-wrecking penalties. It all came during four possessions that each ended with a punt. Sure the team was without its top four receivers and Matt Forte’s workload was limited by coach John Fox and offensive coordinator Adam Gase. Still, the first-team never reached the end zone in three exhibition games. “We came into the game light at receiver,” Fox said about Saturday’s loss. “And we were going to lean on the run some. I don’t think our execution was great in that area.”
QUOTE TO NOTE
“Every year going in you want a new identity no matter where you are, no matter what guys you’ve got out there. You’re always searching for a new identity. The team is not going to be the same from last year. Going forward, every step we take, we’re a new group no matter who’s out there. You’ve got to find your identity.” – Bears cornerback Alan Ball
POSITION BATTLE TO WATCH
Duke Johnson’s concussion has aggravated the Browns’ headache at running back. Johnson is following the NFL’s protocol on head injuries after he was rocked on Saturday, and Pettine said Johnson could be sidelined for some time. Johnson’s injury, and those to veteran Shaun Draughn and Glenn Winston, has left the Browns thing at running back. Second-year backs Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell have not produced as expected, though they will have another preseason game to emerge. If not, the Browns said they could consider other options at the position.
INJURIES
Johnson was in line to take the role of lead running back, but the concussion he suffered Saturday will leave him on the sidelines until the regular season begins. Manziel had an MRI on his throwing elbow and no structural damage was revealed. He didn’t play last week and hasn’t thrown in practice.
Chicago’s defensive line took a hit when Eddie Goldman and Jeremiah Ratliff left Saturday’s game with injuries. Goldman was in line to start the regular season at nose tackle while Ratliff served his three-game suspension, now those plans are up in the air. Cornerback Tracy Porter re-injured his hamstring and linebacker Jon Bostic left Saturday’s game with a leg injury. Both are not expected to play against the Browns.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
This will be a battle between third-string quarterbacks in what is essentially a meaningless game. Though both teams have areas that need improvement, the projected starters will see little if any action, leaving the decisions to be made during practice. Defensively the Bears have been shoddy and Fox knows a stout defensive effort will go a long to restoring the group’s confidence. There are still jobs up for grabs in Chicago’s linebacker and secondary corps and the guys that play will make the coaching staff take notice. It shouldn’t be too difficult against a team that will likely have a number of players released soon.
Chicago 20, Cleveland 12
The NFL lines for this Thursday contest first surfaced at BookMaker and the Bears were positioned as 1.5-point favorites with a total of 38. Gamble on the game between every commercial break with BookMaker’s live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen on the next play or how many points will be scored in the next quarter. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
Access live betting lines from your mobile device or tablet at BookMaker sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! The Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears square off on Thursday, September 3, 2015, at 8 p.m. ET at Soldier Field.
