The Pittsburgh Steelers (+3) are set to pay a visit to the Cleveland Browns (-3) at FirstEnergy Stadium. This Thursday showdown is scheduled to be broadcast nationally on FOX and the opening kickoff is slated for 8:20 p.m. ET.
Thursday NightBetting Preview: Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
In this Thursday AFC matchup, Cleveland has been projected as the favorite and the team’s currently giving up 3 points. The Steelers are also receiving +120 moneyline odds while the Browns are -140. If one team finds paydirt early it will create a solid live betting opportunity. Vegas has determined the over/under (O/U) to be 41.5 points.
The Steelers are 4-3-1 against the spread (ATS) and have gained 0.2 units so far. They’ve been a decent under bet and have posted an O/U mark of 3-5.
The Browns have been a disappointment to moneyline bettors this season, losing 4.8 units. The team is 2-6 ATS and has an even O/U record of 4-4.
The Steelers have gone 5-4 straight up (SU), including 1-1 SU against AFC North opponents. The Browns are 3-6 SU overall and 1-0 SU versus divisional foes.
The Steelers just pulled off a 17-12 win over the Rams in Week 10. The Steelers defense did its part in the win, limiting the Rams to just 243 passing yards and 88 rushing yards. On the offensive side of the ball, Mason Rudolph completed 22-of-38 passes for 242 yards and one touchdown. Jaylen Samuels (only 29 rushing yards on 14 attempts) spearheaded the running attack while James Washington (six receptions, 90 yards, one TD) and Diontae Johnson (four catches, 64 yards) handled the receiving duties in the win.
Cleveland enters this one after just getting a 19-16 win over Buffalo last week. Baker Mayfield completed 26-of-38 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns. Nick Chubb (116 rushing yards on 20 attempts) spearheaded the running game while Jarvis Landry (nine receptions, 97 yards, one TD) and Hunt (seven catches, 44 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the win.
Each of these squads has a similar run-pass ratio on the season. Pittsburgh has run the ball on 41.5 percent of its offensive possessions while Cleveland has a rush percentage of 40.6. The Steelers have rushed for 83.2 yards per game (including 71.5 per game versus North opponents) and have five touchdowns on the ground this year. The Browns are totaling 123.9 rushing yards per game (193 in conference) and have nine total rush TDs.
The Steelers offense has averaged 212.9 yards through the air overall (231.5 per game versus conference opposition) and has 12 passing scores so far. The Browns have put up 246.8 pass yards per contest (342 in the AFC) and have nine total pass TDs.
Defensively, Pittsburgh has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 105.3 yards and pass for 251.3 yards per game. The Cleveland D has allowed 239.8 yards per game to opposing passers and 134.9 yards per game on the ground. The Steelers are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 4.85 to opposing QBs, while the Browns have given up a 6.83 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Rudolph is up to 1,139 yards on the year. He’s connected on 63 percent of his 168 attempts with 10 passing scores and only three interceptions. He’s got a 6.55 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 5.31 over the last two outings.
The Steelers have tried to control the clock by feeding their running backs early and often. In addition to receiver James Washington (251 receiving yards and one touchdown), Jaylen Samuels (79 rush yards, one rush TD, 94 receiving yards) and Trey Edmunds (one rush yards) have brought significant production to the offensive game scripts for Pittsburgh.
Baker Mayfield has completed 158-of-267 passes for 1,928 yards, eight TDs and 12 INTs for Cleveland. His ANY/A sits at a mediocre 4.69 for the season and 6.45 over his past two outings.
The Browns should also look to control the clock by turning to their backfield. In addition to Nick Chubb (140 receiving yards), Jarvis Landry (10 rush yards, 601 receiving yards, one receiving TD) and Odell Beckham Jr. (15 rush yards, 545 receiving yards, one TD) have gotten a multitude of looks lately.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns Free NFL Pick
SU Winner: Browns, ATS Winner: Steelers, O/U: Over
Betting Trends
- As a team, Pittsburgh has produced 3.6 yards per carry over its past three contests and 2.5 over its last two.
- Cleveland has averaged 5.1 yards per carry over its last three matchups and 4.3 over its past two.
- The Cleveland offense has lost five fumbles this season while Pittsburgh has lost six.
- The Steelers offense has tallied six pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Browns have accounted for five such plays.
- The Pittsburgh defense has allowed two pass plays of 40+ yards, while Cleveland has given up six such plays.
- The Pittsburgh offense has created five rushing plays of 20+ yards, while Cleveland has created seven such runs.
- The Steelers defense has allowed five rushing plays of 20+ yards, while the Browns have given up six such runs.
- The Pittsburgh D has sacked opposing QBs 33 times this year. Cleveland has registered just 26 sacks.
