These teams met just two weeks ago in a heavy snow game in Cleveland. The Browns came out on top in that one, 24-19, but they enter Week 14 last in the AFC North with a 3-9 record. The Steelers improved to 9-3 with a 44-38 win in Cincinnati last week and despite the division-leaders looking like a near lock for the playoffs, they can’t officially clinch this week.

Pittsburgh is a 6.5-point favourite to win on the NFL odds, with the total set at 43.5.

NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis

The Steelers used a bit of an odd strategy in Cleveland a couple weeks ago, going back and forth between quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields in the fourth quarter. It obviously didn’t work, so you likely won’t see it again this week.

Pittsburgh definitely has the edge as a cover option this season. The Steelers are 9-3 against the spread, mimicking their straight up record, while the Browns are just 4-8 ATS. It is worth noting that Cleveland has won outright and covered in two straight games against Pittsburgh.

Both teams are middling options on the total. The Black and Gold have hit the Over seven times and the Browns have finished above the number six times.

There’s a clear edge when it comes to home vs. road splits. Pittsburgh has won four of five home games this season, while Cleveland has lost five of six on the road. The Browns haven’t won in Steel City in almost four years.

Cleveland Browns

Jameis Winston had a wildly up-and-down performance in Denver last week. Winston threw for a franchise-record 497 yards and four TDs, but he was also picked off three times. The Browns gave up 171 interception return yards and two pick-6s. Cleveland also wasted a monster performance from Jerry Jeudy. The former Bronco finished with a ridiculous 235 receiving yards, the most in NFL history by a receiver against his former team, and a TD. Jeudy has now picked up over 70 receiving yards in five straight games

It’s Nick Chubb‘s turn for a revenge game this week as the star running back will return to Pittsburgh for the first time since suffering a knee injury last year in Week 2 that could have ended his career. After two knee surgeries, Chubb returned to the Browns lineup in Week 7 this year and had his biggest game of the season two weeks ago against the Steelers, rushing for 59 yards and two TDs. You have to think returning to Pittsburgh has been something marked on his calendar all year.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Russell Wilson had his best game as a Pittsburgh Steeler last week, throwing for a season-high 414 yards, three TDs and one interception. Wilson seems to have put to bed any quarterback controversy with Fields. Last week’s performance was the second-most passing yards Wilson has had in a single game in the NFL and the nine-time Pro Bowler is 5-1 as Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback.

One thing to keep an eye on this week is the unique way head coach Mike Tomlin has deployed Fields. When Tomlin handed the starters’ reins to Wilson in October, he developed a package of plays for Fields, who had a seven-yard run on a third-and-four to close out the game for the Steelers last week. Fields finished the game with 26 rushing yards and one incomplete pass.

NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Browns vs. Steelers?