AFC North rivals will clash on Sunday as the Pittsburgh Steelers (12-3) will be taking on the Cleveland Browns (10-5). The Browns will be hosting this one at First Energy Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 1 pm ET.
Having already locked up the AFC North, the Steelers are opting to rest some of their players, most notably quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. After finally snapping a three-game losing skid last weekend against the Colts, Pittsburgh is resting the veteran quarterback and will instead start Mason Rudolph.
For Cleveland, it is fighting for its playoff life. If the Browns win, they get to snap what has been the longest streak without a playoff appearance in the NFL.
While they lost to the New York Jets 23-16 last week, they did so without their top four receivers. All four are expected to suit up for this one.
The Browns are the overwhelming favorites playing at home. They are -405 to win while the Steelers’ moneyline is +320. The spread features Pittsburgh +8.5 while the over/under for total points is 42.5.
By The Numbers
Offensively, these two teams have been pretty similar. The Steelers rank 12th in the NFL, averaging 26.3 points per game. The Browns come in just a couple of spots behind at 14th, averaging 25.6.
Defensively, it is the Steelers with the big advantage. They rank second overall in scoring defense, allowing an average of 19.2 points per game to opponents. The Browns rank 21st, allowing an average of 26.5 points.
Pittsburgh Looks To Stay Healthy
After having secured the AFC North and with no hope of getting a first-round bye, the Steelers are resting several starters this week. In addition to Roethlisberger, center Maurkice Pouncey and defensive players T.J Watt and Cam Heyward will all enjoy the rest.
With Roethlisberger out, it will be Rudolph under center. Rudolph has only thrown four passes this year, completing three of them for nine yards. Needless to say, he may be a little rusty.
On the ground, James Conner is still expected to play, though it is uncertain if he will have his snaps limited. On the year, he has rushed 160 times for 684 yards and six touchdowns. He also has 30 catches for 190 yards.
Cleveland Hopes To Celebrate Playoff Berth
COVID-19 has certainly played havoc with the Browns’ goal of making the playoffs. After knocking out the four wide receivers last week, they have had their facilities shut down this week due to COVID-19 concerns. Still, the Browns are out to finish the season strong and make the playoffs for the first time since 2002.
Leading the way under center is Baker Mayfield. This season, Mayfield has thrown for 3,367 yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He has also rushed for 121 yards and a score.
He will be happy to have his best receiver, Jarvis Landry, back. Landry has 67 receptions for 789 yards and three touchdowns.
On the ground is where Cleveland is the deadliest. The Browns have a two-headed monster in Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.
Chubb has rushed for 959 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Hunt has rushed for 804 yards and six scores. Hunt also has 37 receptions for 300 yards and another five touchdowns.
Cleveland Wins, But Can It Cover?
With Pittsburgh resting as many starters as it is, I have very little hesitation betting the Browns to finally snap their non-playoff streak. The question is whether they have enough to cover the 8.5-point spread.
If it was just Roethlisberger out, I might be a bit more hesitant, but with Watt and Heyward out, it should make Mayfield’s job a lot easier. Furthermore, I am not sold that the Steelers won’t limit the snaps on players like Conner, JuJu Smith-Schuster and others.
For my money, I like the Browns to not only win this one but cover the spread as well.
