8:15 pm
September 22

Steelers @ Browns

Who will WIN this matchup?

Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1)

@ Cleveland Browns (1-1)

 

Current odds:

Pittsburgh Steelers: (+176)

Cleveland Browns: (-208)

 

The spread for this game is Cleveland by 4.5 points.

The Cleveland Browns are trying to put a big meltdown behind them in a short week as they prepare to host the Pittsburgh Steelers in an AFC North battle on Thursday night. The Browns (1-1) blew a 13-point lead with 1:55 left to play in Sunday’s 31-30 home loss to the New York Jets. Pittsburgh (1-1) also is moving on from a setback, as it dropped a 17-14 home decision to the New England Patriots.

Cleveland’s defeat was much more painful. The Browns missed the extra point after Nick Chubb’s 12-yard scoring run to still lead by 13 with New York out of timeouts. But the Jets scored on a 66-yard touchdown pass with 1:22 remaining, recovered the onside kick and then scored the winning points with 22 seconds left.

Chubb, who rushed for 87 yards and a career-high-tying three touchdowns, said Tuesday that the loss can be pinned to him. He could have slid down without scoring, which would have allowed Cleveland to run out the clock. The Browns will attempt to bounce back, and head coach Kevin Stefanski made it clear there is no time to dwell on the victory that got away.

Pittsburgh is looking to get its passing game going in Mitch Trubisky’s third straight start. Trubisky is averaging just 5.1 yards per completion — which ranks 32nd among 33 qualifying quarterbacks — while passing for 362 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Steelers receiver Diontae Johnson has caught 13 passes for 112 yards and his longest gain is just 25 yards.

Pittsburgh has scored just one offensive touchdown in the first half and Johnson knows that needs to change.

Steelers running back Najee Harris is also off to a slow start with 72 yards on 25 rushes. Harris shredded the Cleveland defense for 279 yards in Pittsburgh’s two-game sweep of the Browns last season. He recorded a career-best 188 rushing yards in January’s 26-14 victory.

Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (foot) was a full practice participant on Tuesday and looks on track to play.

Cleveland star defensive end Myles Garrett is dealing with a neck injury. Garrett has 61.5 career sacks, just shy of the franchise record held by Clay Matthews (officially 62 after sacks became a stat in 1982).

Browns guard Joel Bitonio (biceps) is in danger of missing the game while defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (ankle) was ruled out Monday.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Cleveland Browns