If the Browns want to use the tired old "nobody believed but the people in this room" routine, or the "we don't get any respect" line … well this might be the week. Cleveland's orange helmets got little or no love from national pundits, with most keeping them in closer to 32nd in the league than 16th (which would put them in the middle).
SI's Paul Zimmerman put them 25th in his weekly rankings , and it's my humble opinion that he knows football pretty well. Dr. Z's a crusty codger who still charts games and notices things like double-teams and dive plays. CBS Sportsline's Pete Prisco, a good friend from back in our days covering Emmitt Smith in college, puts the Browns 27th. I've learned it's wise not to question Pete too vehemently.
Then consider this: Raiders are favored by three in Sunday's game.
For crying out loud, how's a team supposed to translate a win into respect with this kind of attitude permeating the national airwaves.
Me, I think the Raiders are going to win too. But I have no idea why. Because I have no idea what Browns team will appear today. This is one of the most bizarre games to predict in a long, long time.
Which should at least make things interesting.

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