The Cleveland Browns are once again the favorites to win and are hoping to avoid the meltdown that likely cost them against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1. According to OddsShark, the Browns are 3 points favorites(-3) over the Indianapolis Colts despite the fact the game is being played at Lucas Oil Field in Indianapolis.
The Colts are without Peyton Manning, of course, and looked awful in losing to the Houston Texans in Week 1. Now that the Manning-shock has worn off, expect the Colts to feed off their crowd and take an 'us-against-the-world' mentality during their home opener.
The Browns have played the Colts tough, however, even with Manning under center. Cleveland is 14-12 All-Time against the Colts - a surprising 9-5 on the road in Indianapolis.
Colt McCoy has proven during his young career that hostile road environments do not affect him. McCoy made his first start in Pittsburgh against the Steelers, and led the Browns to an upset over the then-Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints at the Super Dome.
Cleveland is just 1-8 over their last nine September road games, however, and must turn it around if they are going to avoid an 0-2 start in 2011.