Under in Denver probable

If the prominent offensive weapons in a game are expected to be Phil Dawson and Matt Prater, points might be few and far between for the Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns.

The Broncos are 3-point home favorites over the Browns today, but The Gold Sheet handicapper Bruce Marshall said he prefers betting under the total of 39.

Marshall correctly recommended a play on the Broncos under the total in Week 1, when Denver pulled a last-minute miracle to beat the Cincinnati Bengals, 12-7.

Broncos coach Josh McDaniels is using quarterback Kyle Orton in a conservative offense featuring short throws.

"We're still bullish on the 'unders' in Denver games until further notice. The Cincinnati game was an indicator of how McDaniels' team is going to operate this season," Marshall said. "Though lacking a cannon arm, Orton can execute the type of short, ball-control passing game that McDaniels desires."

The Browns' offense finally scored its first touchdown since before Thanksgiving in the opener against Minnesota, but Marshall said quarterback Brady Quinn "doesn't look too comfy at the controls." Marshall said to expect a field position and field-goal battle, with the kickers -- Cleveland's Dawson and Denver's Prater -- probably determining the outcome in a low-scoring game.

Marshall outlines key technical notes on Week 2 games:

• Oakland at Kansas City: The road team is 11-0-1 against the spread in the past 12 in the series. Edge: Raiders.

• New England at New York Jets: The road team has covered the past four and six of seven in the series. The Patriots have won the past eight and covered the past 10 as a series visitor. Six of the past eight meetings went over the total. Edge: Patriots, over.

• Carolina at Atlanta: Four of the past five meetings at the Georgia Dome went over the total. The Panthers are 8-3 over in the past 11 away. The Falcons are 9-4 over in the past 13 at home. Edge: Over.

• Tampa Bay at Buffalo: The Bucs are 9-3 over the total in their past 12 away games. The Bills are 2-6 ATS in their past eight at Orchard Park and 7-3 over in their past 10 at home. Edge: Over.

• New York Giants at Dallas: The Giants covered five of the past seven at Dallas. Giants coach Tom Coughlin is 23-7 ATS in his past 30 and 13-4 in his past 17 as a road 'dog. Edge: Giants.

Compiled by Las Vegas Review-Journal sports writer Matt Youmans.