Bengals @ Browns - 1 p.m.

By Adam Kiefaber

Quarterback: The Brownies don’t know what they are doing - start Charlie Frye - sit Frye - trade Frye - start Derek Anderson. The only question that remains is, when will Brady Quinn (below-right) play? Cincinnati, on the other hand, has one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL in Carson Palmer – ADVANTAGE BENGALS

Running Back: Jamal Lewis is that power back that Cincinnati has never been able to stop. However, with all the other problems on this offense, the Bengals should be able to focus on stopping Lewis, who didn’t look good (11 carries for 35 yards) in his first game as a Brownie against Pittsburgh. Jason Wright is seldom used and Lawrence Vickers is a solid fullback. Rudi Johnson is a consistent scoring machine, who should find the endzone at least once in this game. Backup Kenny Watson is a smart player and fullback Jeremi Johnson is one of the best in the AFC. - ADVANTAGE BENGALS

Wide Receivers: Joe Jurevicius is solid. Braylon Edwards could develop into a great receiver, but drops a bunch of balls. The only advantage the Brownies have in the passing game is at tight end with Kellen “I’m a solider” Winslow over the Bengals Reggie Kelly. However, Kelly is a great blocker while Winslow is worried about his numbers. Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh make up one the best wide receiver duos in the NFL. – ADVANTAGE BENGALS

Offensive Line: The Bengals’ o-line is banged up. No one quite knows the health of OT Willie Anderson. OT Levi Jones has been hurt this preseason and looks to have lost a step. The patchwork o-line kept the pressure off of Carson Palmer, who was only sacked once against the Ravens. The Brownies did everything they could to improve one of the worst o-lines in the league. Cleveland added OT Joe Thomas and OG Eric Steinbach in the offseason. On paper, this could be an even matchup considering the Bengals’ injury woes, but when watching the Brownies last weekend, you could see that they couldn’t run or pass against the Steelers – ADVANTAGE BENGALS

Defensive Line: I was critized when I wrote that the Ravens and Bengals d-lines were even. I don’t like to brag, but Robert Geathers (below-left) emerged as the greatest defensive end in recent Bengals’ memory on Monday night. DTs Domata Peko, John Thornton and Michael Myers played well. DE Justin Smith looked amazing this preseason, but was very quiet on Monday night. This weekend he goes up against the rookie, Joe Thomas. The Brownies run a 3-4, which makes the comparison harder to make, but Orpheus Roye, Ted Washington and Robaire Smith (might not play due to injury) are average at best. Although I must say that the 34 year old Roye is extremely underrated – ADVANTAGE BENGALS

Linebackers: I really like the Brownies’ linebackers. OLBs Antwan Peek (might not play due to injury) and Kamerion Wimbley are young promising pass rushers. Also, ILBs Andra Davis and D’Qwell Jackson are good players. The Bengals’ linebackers looked good on Monday night. Ahmad Brooks was good, Landon Johnson was amazing. Lemar Marshall and Caleb Miller provided solid depth. However, on paper I give the edge to the Browns at this position. The Bengals will be without Rashad Jeanty again - ADVANTAGE BROWNS

Secondary: You had to be surprised at the Bengals’ secondary on Monday night. Madieu Williams was fantastic, so was Dexter Jackson, who was playing banged up. The Ravens threw away from CB Johnathan Joseph. CBs Deltha O’Neal and Leon Hall were solid, not great, but solid. Seventh-round pick Chinedum Ndukwe came in and played solid right away. Browns’ DBs Leigh Bodden and Gary Baxter are banged up. A rookie Eric Wright and improving safeties Sean Jones and Brodney make up the rest of Cleveland’s secondary. Here’s the plus, the Browns gave up only 161 yards passing from Ben Roethlisberger last weekend. Here’s the minus, he had four touchdown passes – ADVANTAGE BENGALS

Who cares about special teams? EVEN - unless Shayne Graham (needs to stop crying and the Bengals’ media needs to stop treating him like a hero) can’t play, also both teams have good returners.

OVERALL BREAKDOWN:

A Bengals loss has the same odds in my book as the Reds making the playoffs.

If the Brownies win, the upset will be right up there with Appalachian State beating Michigan.

Somehow the real odds are Bengals -7, meaning Cincinnati are favored by only seven points. If I was a betting man I would bet the savings on that.

FINAL SCORE: BENGALS 35, BROWNS 7