Browns Steelers Betting – Roethlisberger Returns As Steelers Battle Browns In AFC North Clash Sunday
After four weeks of watching from the betting sidelines, the Pittsburgh Steelers are ready to welcome back franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger following the team’s bye week. It is no secret where Roethlisberger was for the first quarter of the season, or why he was there, and now he makes his return against a team from his hometown state in the Cleveland Browns.
NFL Betting: Cleveland Browns @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Online Sports Betting: Steelers – 13
It will be interesting to see not only how the fans respond to the return of the two-time Super Bowl champion, but how ready he is to jump into the starting lineup given the rust of not getting any game action since the preseason. The Steelers were 3-1 without him, a late Baltimore Ravens touchdown in week four was all that kept them from going perfect, so it will be interesting to see how his return affects the team.
Why To Bet On The Browns?
After a surprising 23-20 win over the AFC North-rival Cincinnati Bengals in week four, the Browns came crashing down to earth in a 20-10 home loss to the Atlanta Falcons to fall to 1-4. Despite showing signs of improvement, a look to a schedule that features the Steelers, defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots, and New York Jets with a bye week the only thing separating them has got to be scary for head coach Eric Mangini. Cleveland ranks in the bottom-third of the league in nearly every statistical category, but their running game remains their asset, with Peyton Hillis’ 4.9 yard per carry average the lone bright spot. The problem is that the Steelers excel at stopping the run, and it may fall on the shoulders of quarterback Seneca Wallace to move the ball.
Why To Bet On The Steelers?
At the top of his game, Roethlisberger is one of the best quarterbacks in the league, just ask the Arizona Cardinals 2008-09 team that lost in the Super Bowl when he made a late-touchdown throw to former Steelers’ wide receiver Santonio Holmes that bordered on unbelievable. Pittsburgh nearly went perfect the first four weeks of the season, so unless he does a lesser job than Dennis Dixon and Charlie Batch, there is no reason to believe that the offense won’t improve. The Steelers are the league’s top team against the run, and have improved against the pass early this year. One of the reasons for that is that they have had a relatively weak schedule, but that doesn’t change this week against Cleveland.
How The Game Will Play Out
Football betting fans have had this game circled on their calendar since the preseason, and now how important it is in helping shape the future of this franchise. Roethlisberger has won two rings with Pittsbugh already, but a bad attitude and off-field issues have turned him into one of the most hated football stars. He should respond with an outstanding opening effort.
