Cleveland at Washington

A pair of first-year head coaches meet in this one, and new coaches want to look good in front of the home fans. That's what Washington did last week in blasting the Patriots, so there is less to show this week. They face a deep and talented Cleveland defense, and the Browns have a new head coach in Mike Pettine who also has plenty to prove. There is tremendous competition in the Browns camp regarding the starting QB job between Brian Hoyer and Johnny Manziel. Manziel tightened the race with his impressive showing in Detroit. The Cleveland start is crucial because it's presumably the last game before Pettine names his starter for the opener Sept. 7 in Pittsburgh. He said this week that he'd still like to name his man by the third preseason game on Aug. 23. Pettine indicated that a continuation of the Detroit game, where Manziel ran and threw well, barked out the plays, and got the right men in motion, will go a long way toward getting the nod on Aug. 18. The Browns defense was brilliant last week, holding the high-flying Lions to 219 passing yards and forcing two turnovers, so grab the dog and take Cleveland here. In addition, it will be a high scoring game. Washington Redskins coach Jay Gruden had the offense in gear last week, putting up 23 points and 387 yards on the Patriots. The team was 6-12 on third down and has an experienced QB rotation for preseason with Robert Griffin, Kirk Cousins, and Colt McCoy. The Redskins have plenty to prove to show that they can become as good a team passing the football as running it. WR DeSean Jackson will debut with his new team, too. But they will give up points as the Redskins defensive backs will have their hands full with Cleveland receiver Josh Gordon and tight end Jordan Cameron. And speaking of something to prove, the Browns have a terrific QB competition going on between Brian Hoyer and Johnny Manziel, and even Tyler Thigpen is experienced in August. Mike Pettine said Manziel will still get quality playing time with the first team. There have been more OVERs in Week 2 of preseason, the opposite of Week 1, and this shapes up as an offensive show. Take the Browns and OVER the total in this one.