The Steelers (+2) are prepared to host the Cleveland Browns (-2) in Pittsburgh. This Sunday showdown is scheduled to kick off at 1:00 p.m. ET and CBS will broadcast the action.
Betting Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns
In this Sunday AFC matchup, Cleveland is tabbed as the favorite and is currently giving up 2 points. The Browns are also receiving -130 moneyline odds while the Steelers are +110. If one squad can create a bunch of points in the early stages it will produce a reasonable betting opportunity in-game. Oddsmakers have determined the over/under (O/U) to be 40. With the line sitting at Pittsburgh +2, Vegas is speculating that this could be a 19-21 win for the Browns.
Odds have moved slightly from when they were originally set. The line opened at -3 while the game’s total was initially placed at 40.5.
The Browns have lost 1.8 units so far in 2019 and are 4-6-1 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an O/U mark of 5-6.
The Steelers are up 1.7 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 5-4-2 ATS and own an O/U record of 3-8.
The Browns are 5-6 straight up (SU), including 2-0 SU against AFC North opponents. The Steelers are 6-5 SU overall and 2-2 SU against divisional foes.
The Browns want to keep things rolling following a 41-24 victory over Miami in Week 12 in which Baker Mayfield completed 24-of-34 passes for 327 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Nick Chubb (106 yards on 21 rushes, one TD) led the running attack while Jarvis Landry (10 receptions, 148 yards, two TDs) and Odell Beckham Jr. (six catches, 84 yards, one TD) manned the receiving duties in the win.
Pittsburgh enters this Sunday’s matchup following a 16-10 win over Cincinnati a week ago. As a group, the Steelers collectively completed 13-of-27 passes for 203 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Mason Rudolph went eight-for-16 for 85 yards and one interception while Devlin Hodges was five-of-11 for 118 yards and one touchdown. Benny Snell Jr. (98 yards on 21 rush attempts) spearheaded the running game while Jaylen Samuels (three receptions, 26 yards) and James Washington (three catches, 98 yards, one TD) led the receiving attack in the win.
In terms of offensive play-calling, each of these squads sports a strikingly similar (43-57) run-pass ratio on the season. Having said that, the Browns have run for 124.2 yards per game (including 148.5 per game versus North opponents) and have 12 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Steelers haven’t been quite as productive, as they’re logging 87.9 rush yards per game (90.3 in conference) and have five total rushing TDs.
The Browns offensive scheme has averaged 249.2 yards in the air overall (267.5 per game versus conference opposition) and has 14 passing scores so far. The Steelers have produced 212.7 pass yards per outing (222 in the AFC) and also have 14 total pass TDs.
Cleveland has allowed opponents to run for an average of 124 yards and pass for 235.7 yards per game. The Pittsburgh D has allowed 240.6 yards per game to opposing passers and 103.5 yards per game to opposing runners. The Steelers are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.09 to opposing QBs, while the Browns have given up a 5.68 ANY/A.
Offensively, Mayfield is up to 2,528 passing yards this year. He’s connected on 209-of-343 attempts with 12 passing scores and 13 interceptions. Mayfield’s got a 5.36 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 8.29 over the last two games.
As a group, Nick Chubb, Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. have combined to account for 591 total yards and five touchdowns over the last two outings.
Mason Rudolph has completed 139-of-219 passes for 1,415 yards, 11 TDs and five INTs for Pittsburgh. His ANY/A stands at 5.84 for the year and 0.69 over his past two outings.
We’re expecting the Steelers to control the game’s clock by feeding their ball-carriers early and often. In addition to James Washington (418 receiving yards, two receiving TDs this season), Benny Snell Jr. (216 rush yards) and Jaylen Samuels (95 rush yards, one rush TD, 193 receiving yards) have been significant factors in the Pittsburgh offense.
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Prediction
SU Winner: Browns, ATS Winner: Browns, O/U: Under
Betting Trends
- The Browns have made 17 pass plays of 30+ yards while the Steelers have accounted for 12 such plays.
- The Cleveland defense has allowed six pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Pittsburgh has given up five such plays.
- Both teams have produced seven rushing plays of 20 yards or more. The Cleveland offense has recorded 37 running plays of 10+ yards while Pittsburgh has accounted for 23 such plays.
- The Browns defense has allowed six rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Steelers have given up five such runs.
- The Pittsburgh D has sacked opposing quarterbacks 38 times this season. Cleveland has registered 34 sacks.
- As a team, Cleveland has rushed for 4.3 yards per attempt across its last three games and 3.7 over its last two.
- Pittsburgh has averaged 3.2 yards per carry over its last three contests and 4.0 over its past two.
- In its last three matches, Pittsburgh is 1-1-1 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
- The O/U for Cleveland’s last game was set at 45.5. The over cashed in the team’s 41-24 triumph over Miami.
- In its last three matches, Cleveland is 2-0-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The O/U for Pittsburgh’s last game was set at 37. The under cashed in the 16-10 win over Cincinnati.
- Pittsburgh has won six of its last seven games SU, with a -14-point loss to Cleveland on November 14th accounting for the only defeat over that stretch.
