The Arizona Cardinals will try to keep their ultra-slim playoff hopes alive on Sunday when they take on the reeling Cleveland Browns. <\/p>\n
Cleveland Browns (4-9) at Arizona Cardinals (6-7)<\/strong> The Cardinals have won three straight games in impressive fashion ahead of Sunday\u2019s matchup while the Browns have not only lost three straight games. The Browns may have also lost their starting quarterback to a concussion.<\/p>\n The Cleveland Browns have one thing going for them. Unfortunately the good starts and ends with the fact that they have had a few extra days to prepare for the Cardinals. Cleveland has been plagued by a substandard offense this season but has shown some signs of improvement on the defensive side of the ball.<\/p>\n Cleveland goes into Sunday\u2019s game owning the third worst scoring offense in the NFL. They have not scored more than 20 points in a game since Week 2! Their 22nd ranked passing game will likely be without Colt McCoy on Sunday after a horrendous hit by the Steelers James Harrison last Thursday. Seneca Wallace will likely take over the reigns – he is no stranger to NFL action. Wallace is a downgrade at QB for sure but not as much as most would think.<\/p>\n With Colt McCoy almost certain to sit on Thursday, Cleveland\u2019s 29th ranked running game has to be better. Peyton Hillis has been injured and ineffective for most of the season \u2013 now is his time to shine! Hillis has averaged just 49.4 yards per game so far this season and has rushed for a total of just 70 yards in his two games since returning from injury. Look for the Browns to lean on Hillis and Montario Hardesty in this game.<\/p>\n Cleveland\u2019s defense is Jekyll and Hyde \u2013 2nd against the pass and allowing 180 yards per game and a miserable 31st against the run allowing 150.92 yards per game. Hopes are that the stout pass defense can and will take Larry Fitzgerald out of the game. [soliloquy id=”82219″]<\/p>\n The Arizona Cardinals have awoken from the dead and have posted three straight victories, the latest being an impressive 21-19 win over the 49ers. The offense has looked a little better as of late and the defense is rounding into form late in the season.<\/p>\n Kevin Kolb, like Colt McCoy is in danger of missing Sunday\u2019s game with a concussion. John Skelton has been good in relief of Kolb this season and last week threw for 282 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions in the win. The Cards passing game ranks 20th in the NFL and appears to be getting better as the season winds down.<\/p>\n It will likely be the Beanie Wells show on Sunday against Cleveland\u2019s 31st ranked run defense. Wells has been spectacular at time this season and brutal at others for the Cardinals 19th ranked rushing attack. Well rushed for just 27 yards on 15 carries last week but has gone for 943 yards this season.<\/p>\n Arizona\u2019s defense has definitely turned the corner. After a brutal start to the season, the Cards have allowed an average of just 280.3 yards per game in their last three \u2013 233 last week to the San Francisco 49ers. Arizona owns the league\u2019s 23rd ranked pass defense and the NFL\u2019s 19th ranked run defense.<\/p>\n Betting Prediction:<\/strong> The Cleveland Browns are 6-13-2 ATS in their last 21 games overall, are 1-6 SU in their last seven overall and are 0-5 SU in their last five games on the road. The Arizona Cardinals are 8-16 SU in their last 24 games but are 5-1 SU in their last six. The Cards are 6-2 SU in their last eight games at home.<\/p>\n The Arizona Cardinals are playing their best football of the season \u2013 the Cleveland Browns are not! I like the Cards to win on Sunday but the Spread may be a little too rich for my blood. All six of the Cardinals wins this season have come by less than seven points and there is no reason to think any differently about Sunday\u2019s matchup. In a game that features two bad offenses, expect a tight, low scoring game with the Browns covering the 6.5 points.<\/p>\n
\n When: 4:15 PM ET, Sunday, December 18, 2011<\/strong>
\n Where: University of Phoenix Stadium, Phoenix, Arizona<\/strong>
\n Broadcast: CBS<\/strong>
\n Browns vs. Cardinals Betting Lines from betonline.com<\/strong>
\n Spread: Cardinals -6.5<\/strong>
\n Moneyline: Browns +250: Cardinals -300<\/strong>
\n Over\/Under: 37.5 points<\/strong><\/p>\n