Roethlisberger to keep on winning in Cleveland
With a win today, Ben Roethlisberger would become the winningest quarterback in the history of FirstEnergy Stadium with 11.
The problem with that statistic is that Roethlisberger plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers, not the Cleveland Browns, who call the stadium their home.
Roethlisberger enters the game today against the Browns tied with former Cleveland starter Derek Anderson with 10 wins. A win in this one will make Roethlisberger 11-2.
Anderson spent four seasons with the Browns, starting 34 games.
This year, it’s rookie Deshone Kizer who will start for the Browns, which will make him the 27th quarterback to start for Cleveland since 1999. And he’s one of four quarterbacks on Cleveland’s roster, not one of which has ever led a team to a win in the NFL.
Yeah, the Browns know a little something about futility. They have become the definition of it in the NFL.
The Steelers are a team with Super Bowl aspirations. They believe all of the pieces are in place to make a strong push.
Cleveland is in the midst of yet another rebuild.
All of that adds up to the Steelers being 9-point favorites in this game.
Perhaps if Cleveland rookie defensive end Myles Garrett was playing, he might make a difference. The first pick in this year’s draft looks like the kind of player to build a defense around, but he suffered a high ankle sprain in practice this week and will be out for a month.
The Steelers should make short work of a rookie quarterback playing in his first NFL game, particularly if their offense has its way with Cleveland’s defense.
Take the Steelers, 34-10
Joe Flacco missed the entire preseason with a bad back. And he’s one of the few healthy Ravens.
Take Cincinnati, 20-16
The Lions haven’t had a 100-yard rusher in a game since 2013. The Cardinals have David Johnson.
Take Arizona, 26-23
The Falcons might have a hangover from the Super Bowl but the Bears are the Alka-Seltzer of the NFL.
Take Atlanta, 27-17
One of the big games of Week 1. Packers won this matchup at Lambeau Field, 38-10, last season.
Take Green Bay, 24-20
Houston won’t have many games in which it has the better quarterback.
Take Houston, 23-16
Titans could be this year’s version of the 2016 Raiders.
Take Tennessee, 27-24
Giants swept the Cowboys last year, handing them two of their three regular-season losses. But wide receiver Odell Beckham is hampered with an ankle injury.
Take Dallas, 27-21
Adrian Peterson returns to Minnesota. On Monday night. As a backup for New Orleans.
Take Minnesota, 31-24
The Redskins swept this NFL East matchup last season. They should hold serve at home.
Take Washington, 26-24
No Andrew Luck spells doom for the defenseless Colts, even though Aaron Donald is still holding out for the Rams.
Take the Rams, 23-13
A coast-to-coast trip for the Panthers in the opener.
Take Carolina, 30-24
Chargers should be better in 2017. But Denver’s defense at home will be a tough nut to crack.
Take Denver, 24-20
The Ick Bowl. And they’ll play it twice this season. Ugh!
Take the Jets to cover in a 17-10 loss
Last season: 128-113-5 ATS; 153-91 straight up
Staff writer Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com.