Steelers Browns Betting – Steelers Lock Up Second Place In The AFC Against Browns
If you are looking for an interesting bet this week in the NFL, the look no further than this game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns. The Cleveland Browns lost a divisional game in week 16 against the Baltimore Ravens, but the Browns are a dangerous football team that the Pittsburgh Steelers need to take very seriously.
- What: NFL betting
- When: Sunday, January 2nd, 1:00 PM ET
- Where: Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, OH
- Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers -6
What’s On The Line
The Steelers (11-4) are battling the Kansas City Chiefs for second place in the AFC and a first round playoff bye. Considering how badly Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been beaten up this season, the extra week of rest is something that the Steelers desperately want. The Browns (5-10) watched a promising first half of the season fall apart in the last few weeks and are now looking at many more questions than answers. The Browns want to end the season with a win to bring the fans back next season and convince the team that they are on the winning track.
Offensive Matchups: Steelers Browns Betting
The online football betting surrounding this game will center around the Steelers running game led by Rashard Mendenhall. The Steelers do not want the Browns defense getting their hands on Ben, and the Pittsburgh offensive line has not been very adept at protecting Roethlisberger this season. When you add to that Roethlisberger’s habit of holding on to the ball way too long, then you get an invitation to use the running game.
The Browns will open up all the guns they have to try and win this game. They will allow rookie quarterback Colt McCoy to throw the ball downfield and they will give the ball to running back Peyton Hillis as often as they can. The problem that the Browns will have is that the pass rush of the Steelers is much more fierce than the rush offered by the Ravens, and the Browns could get almost nothing going against the Ravens.
Betting Edge: Steelers
Defensive Matchups: Steelers Browns Betting
Let’s face it; the Steelers defense is ready for the playoffs. The only thing the Steelers are lacking is all-pro safety Troy Polamalu, and he will not play in this game no matter how healthy he is. James Harrison and the rest of the front line for the Steelers will be more than capable of stopping the Browns attack.
The Cleveland Browns are playing very good defense for a team in transition. But they are ranked 26th against the rush, and that is what the Steelers will attack in this game. The Steelers want this game, and they will pound the Browns defense into submission to get it.
Betting Edge: Steelers
Notable Injuries: Steelers Browns Betting
For the Browns, tight end Evan Moore (hip) did not practice but is expected to play. Tight end Robert Royal (shoulder) is doubtful. Linebacker Eric Alexander (groin) and defensive end Kenyon Coleman (knee) are questionable and will be game-time decisions.
The Steelers are pretty beat up going into this game. Wide receiver Arnaz Battle (chest), safety Troy Polamalu (ankle) and defensive end Aaron Smith (triceps) are all out for this game. Defensive tackle Steve McLendon (stinger) is probable and is likely to play.
Betting Edge: Browns
Outlook and Pick: Steelers Browns Betting
The Steelers may not have enough to go deep into the playoffs, but they have enough to beat the Browns and get that first round bye. The Browns will have to go back to the drawing board and look for sustained success next season.
Stan’s Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers
