It comes down to this game, if the Cleveland Browns win in week 17 they clinch their first playoff berth in 17 years.
A pair of AFC North division rivals wrap up the regular season in Cleveland. The Browns open up as touchdown-plus favourites against the Steelers.
NFL Week 17 Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The final week of the NFL schedule is always an interesting one when it comes to sports betting. Teams with nothing to play for quite often take on opponents that desperately need a victory. This is one of those scenarios as Pittsburgh will sit several starters, while a win by Cleveland clinches their first playoff berth in 17-years.
In their first meeting of 2020 back in October, Pittsburgh won in dominating fashion 38-7, and lead the all-time series 77-59-1. The Browns are 9.0-point favourites and the Over/Under is set at 42.5 from FirstEnergy Stadium on the shores of Lake Erie.
Cleveland’s 2-5 ATS in their past seven, and the O/U Under is 9-3 when they battle a team with a winning road record.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers snapped a three game losing skid in a second half comeback versus Indianapolis last weekend and locked up the AFC North title. Head coach Mike Tomlin then announced that starters Ben Roethlisberger, Maurkice Pouncey, TJ Watt and Cam Heyward would all be inactive. Other regulars may participate on a limited snap count as well.
This of course makes it difficult to figure out what to expect from Pittsburgh’s second overall defense and stuck in neutral, 24th ranked offense. Unimpressive backup Mason Rudolph slides in at QB in place of Big Ben. Rudolph is best known for being smashed over the head by Cleveland’s Myles Garrett last season. Leaning on the now healthy James Conner at running back as well as a dink-and-dunk quick passing approach seems the most likely.
I wouldn’t expect much offensive output from the Steelers on Sunday. Keep that in mind when considering any player prop bets.
Cleveland Browns
Amongst a slew of close contact COVID tracing issues the Browns were without four wide receivers and a pair of starting linebackers last weekend. The news broke on Saturday and contributed to the discombobulated visitors getting upset by the Jets and miss a chance to punch their ticket to the postseason.
As of now it looks like Baker Mayfield should have his key weapons back on the field with him. On the other side of the ball, Myles Garrett sits sixth in the NFL for sacks (12.0) and rookie LB Jacob Phillips is back from the COVID/Reserve list.
NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Steelers vs. Browns?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 28 Dec 6:28pm | PIT | -6.5 -119 | O +42.5 -110 |
| Closing 3 Jan 5:43pm | PIT | -10 -110 | O +45 -106 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Steelers Team Leaders
| Touchdowns |
11 |
| Rushing |
721 |
| Passing |
3803 |
| Receiving |
97 |
| Sacks |
15 |
| Interceptions |
4 |
| Touchdowns |
12 |
| Rushing |
1067 |
| Passing |
3563 |
| Receiving |
72 |
| Sacks |
12 |
| Interceptions |
2 |
| Touchdowns |
2 |
| Rushing |
37 |
| Passing |
501 |
| Receiving |
13 |
| Sacks |
0 |
| Interceptions |
0 |
| Touchdowns |
3 |
| Rushing |
145 |
| Passing |
467 |
| Receiving |
12 |
| Sacks |
1 |
| Interceptions |
1 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Browns Team Leaders
| Touchdowns |
11 |
| Rushing |
721 |
| Passing |
3803 |
| Receiving |
97 |
| Sacks |
15 |
| Interceptions |
4 |
| Touchdowns |
12 |
| Rushing |
1067 |
| Passing |
3563 |
| Receiving |
72 |
| Sacks |
12 |
| Interceptions |
2 |
| Touchdowns |
2 |
| Rushing |
37 |
| Passing |
501 |
| Receiving |
13 |
| Sacks |
0 |
| Interceptions |
0 |
| Touchdowns |
3 |
| Rushing |
145 |
| Passing |
467 |
| Receiving |
12 |
| Sacks |
1 |
| Interceptions |
1 |
Weather
| temp | 38 |
| condition | cloudy |
| wind | West 7mph |
Injuries
Isaiah Buggs (DE)
JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR)
Tyson Alualu (DE)
Steven Nelson (CB)
Vince Williams (LB)
Terrell Edmunds (S)
Joe Haden (CB)
Derek Watt (FB)
Eric Ebron (TE)
Cassius Marsh Sr. (DE)
Stephen Carlson (TE)
David Njoku (TE)
Sheldon Richardson (DT)
Wyatt Teller (G)
JC Tretter (C)
Jack Conklin (T)
B.J. Goodson (LB)
Robert Jackson (CB)
Michael Dunn (G)
Ronnie Harrison Jr. (S)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isaiah Buggs (DE) | Ques Sun | Illness - 07 / 01 / 21 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Buggs is ailing from an illness, and it is up in the air if he will partake in the AFC Wild Card game versus the Browns. |
|||||
| JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR) | Ques Sun | Knee - 07 / 01 / 21 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Smith-Schuster is nursing a knee injury, and it remains to be seen if he will take part in the AFC Wild Card game versus the Browns. |
|||||
| Tyson Alualu (DE) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 06 / 01 / 21 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Alualu is nursing an ankle injury, but it is anticipated that he will take on the the Browns in the AFC Wild Card game. |
|||||
| Steven Nelson (CB) | Prob Sun | Knee - 06 / 01 / 21 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Nelson is dealing with a knee injury, but it is projected that he will take the field against the Browns in the AFC Wild Card game. |
|||||
| Vince Williams (LB) | Prob Sun | Quadricep - 06 / 01 / 21 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Williams is expected to take part in the AFC Wild Card game versus the Browns despite an injured quad. |
|||||
| Terrell Edmunds (S) | Doub Sun | Rest - 02 / 01 / 21 | 2-0 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Edmunds will not be on the field Sunday against the Browns as he is being rested ahead of the playoffs. |
|||||
| Joe Haden (CB) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 02 / 01 / 21 | 2-0 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Haden has been placed on the Injured Reserve/COVID-19 list after testing positive, and it is undetermined how long he will be out of action. |
|||||
| Derek Watt (FB) | Doub Sun | Rest - 02 / 01 / 21 | 2-0 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Watt is not expected to be in Saturday's lineup against the Browns as he is to be rested. |
|||||
| Eric Ebron (TE) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 02 / 01 / 21 | 2-0 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Ebron has hit the Injured Reserve/COVID-19 list after coming into contact with the virus and it is unknown how long he will be out. |
|||||
| Cassius Marsh Sr. (DE) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 02 / 01 / 21 | 2-0 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Marsh Sr. has been placed on the Injured Reserve/COVID-19 list as a close contact of someone who tested positive, and will be out for an unknown period. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen Carlson (TE) | Ques Sun | Groin - 14 / 01 / 21 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Carlson is hampered by a groin injury, and it has yet to be determined if he will partake in the AFC divisional round versus the Chiefs. |
|||||
| David Njoku (TE) | Ques Sun | Hamstring - 13 / 01 / 21 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Njoku is bothered by a hamstring injury, and it remains to be seen if he will take part in the AFC divisional round versus the Chiefs. |
|||||
| Sheldon Richardson (DT) | Prob Sun | Neck - 13 / 01 / 21 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Richardson is hindered by a neck injury, but it is anticipated that he will take on the Chiefs in the AFC divisional round. |
|||||
| Wyatt Teller (G) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 13 / 01 / 21 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Teller has an injured ankle, but it is expected that he will line up against the Chiefs in the AFC divisional round. |
|||||
| JC Tretter (C) | Prob Sun | Knee - 13 / 01 / 21 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Tretter is managing a knee injury, but it is likely that he will partake in the AFC divisional round against the Chiefs. |
|||||
| Jack Conklin (T) | Ques Sun | Hamstring - 13 / 01 / 21 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Conklin has injuries to his hamstring an knee, leaving his status for the AFC divisional round against he Chiefs clouded. |
|||||
| B.J. Goodson (LB) | Ques Sun | Shoulder - 13 / 01 / 21 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Goodson is dealing with a shoulder injury, and it is unknown if he will be available for the AFC divisional round versus the Chiefs. |
|||||
| Robert Jackson (CB) | I-R | Hamstring - 12 / 01 / 21 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Jackson has ended up on the injured reserve list with a hamstring injury. |
|||||
| Michael Dunn (G) | Out indefinitely | Calf - 12 / 01 / 21 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Dunn has been entered on the injured reserve list due to a calf injury, and he is without a definitive timetable for recovery. |
|||||
| Ronnie Harrison Jr. (S) | Out Sun | Illness - 09 / 01 / 21 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Harrison Jr. will not play in the AFC Wildcard round against the Steelers due to COVID-19 reasons. |
|||||
-
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
17 -
CLEVELAND BROWNS
24
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 28 Dec 6:28pm PIT -6.5 -119 O +42.5 -110 Closing 3 Jan 5:43pm PIT -10 -110 O +45 -106 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Steelers Team Leaders
Touchdowns 11
Rushing 721
Passing 3803
Receiving 97
Sacks 15
Interceptions 4
Touchdowns 12
Rushing 1067
Passing 3563
Receiving 72
Sacks 12
Interceptions 2
Touchdowns 2
Rushing 37
Passing 501
Receiving 13
Sacks 0
Interceptions 0
Touchdowns 3
Rushing 145
Passing 467
Receiving 12
Sacks 1
Interceptions 1
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Browns Team Leaders
Touchdowns 11
Rushing 721
Passing 3803
Receiving 97
Sacks 15
Interceptions 4
Touchdowns 12
Rushing 1067
Passing 3563
Receiving 72
Sacks 12
Interceptions 2
Touchdowns 2
Rushing 37
Passing 501
Receiving 13
Sacks 0
Interceptions 0
Touchdowns 3
Rushing 145
Passing 467
Receiving 12
Sacks 1
Interceptions 1
-
Weather
temp 38 condition cloudy wind West 7mph -
Injuries
Isaiah Buggs (DE)
Ques Sun Illness - 07 / 01 / 21JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR)
Ques Sun Knee - 07 / 01 / 21Tyson Alualu (DE)
Prob Sun Ankle - 06 / 01 / 21Steven Nelson (CB)
Prob Sun Knee - 06 / 01 / 21Vince Williams (LB)
Prob Sun Quadricep - 06 / 01 / 21Terrell Edmunds (S)
Doub Sun Rest - 02 / 01 / 21Joe Haden (CB)
Out indefinitely Illness - 02 / 01 / 21Derek Watt (FB)
Doub Sun Rest - 02 / 01 / 21Eric Ebron (TE)
Out indefinitely Illness - 02 / 01 / 21Cassius Marsh Sr. (DE)
Out indefinitely Illness - 02 / 01 / 21Stephen Carlson (TE)
Ques Sun Groin - 14 / 01 / 21David Njoku (TE)
Ques Sun Hamstring - 13 / 01 / 21Sheldon Richardson (DT)
Prob Sun Neck - 13 / 01 / 21Wyatt Teller (G)
Prob Sun Ankle - 13 / 01 / 21JC Tretter (C)
Prob Sun Knee - 13 / 01 / 21Jack Conklin (T)
Ques Sun Hamstring - 13 / 01 / 21B.J. Goodson (LB)
Ques Sun Shoulder - 13 / 01 / 21Robert Jackson (CB)
I-R Hamstring - 12 / 01 / 21Michael Dunn (G)
Out indefinitely Calf - 12 / 01 / 21Ronnie Harrison Jr. (S)
Out Sun Illness - 09 / 01 / 21Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Isaiah Buggs (DE) Ques Sun Illness - 07 / 01 / 21 1-0 1-0 + - Buggs is ailing from an illness, and it is up in the air if he will partake in the AFC Wild Card game versus the Browns.
JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR) Ques Sun Knee - 07 / 01 / 21 1-0 1-0 + - Smith-Schuster is nursing a knee injury, and it remains to be seen if he will take part in the AFC Wild Card game versus the Browns.
Tyson Alualu (DE) Prob Sun Ankle - 06 / 01 / 21 1-0 1-0 + - Alualu is nursing an ankle injury, but it is anticipated that he will take on the the Browns in the AFC Wild Card game.
Steven Nelson (CB) Prob Sun Knee - 06 / 01 / 21 1-0 1-0 + - Nelson is dealing with a knee injury, but it is projected that he will take the field against the Browns in the AFC Wild Card game.
Vince Williams (LB) Prob Sun Quadricep - 06 / 01 / 21 1-0 1-0 + - Williams is expected to take part in the AFC Wild Card game versus the Browns despite an injured quad.
Terrell Edmunds (S) Doub Sun Rest - 02 / 01 / 21 2-0 2-0 + - Edmunds will not be on the field Sunday against the Browns as he is being rested ahead of the playoffs.
Joe Haden (CB) Out indefinitely Illness - 02 / 01 / 21 2-0 2-0 + - Haden has been placed on the Injured Reserve/COVID-19 list after testing positive, and it is undetermined how long he will be out of action.
Derek Watt (FB) Doub Sun Rest - 02 / 01 / 21 2-0 2-0 + - Watt is not expected to be in Saturday's lineup against the Browns as he is to be rested.
Eric Ebron (TE) Out indefinitely Illness - 02 / 01 / 21 2-0 2-0 + - Ebron has hit the Injured Reserve/COVID-19 list after coming into contact with the virus and it is unknown how long he will be out.
Cassius Marsh Sr. (DE) Out indefinitely Illness - 02 / 01 / 21 2-0 2-0 + - Marsh Sr. has been placed on the Injured Reserve/COVID-19 list as a close contact of someone who tested positive, and will be out for an unknown period.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Stephen Carlson (TE) Ques Sun Groin - 14 / 01 / 21 1-0 1-0 + - Carlson is hampered by a groin injury, and it has yet to be determined if he will partake in the AFC divisional round versus the Chiefs.
David Njoku (TE) Ques Sun Hamstring - 13 / 01 / 21 1-0 1-0 + - Njoku is bothered by a hamstring injury, and it remains to be seen if he will take part in the AFC divisional round versus the Chiefs.
Sheldon Richardson (DT) Prob Sun Neck - 13 / 01 / 21 1-0 1-0 + - Richardson is hindered by a neck injury, but it is anticipated that he will take on the Chiefs in the AFC divisional round.
Wyatt Teller (G) Prob Sun Ankle - 13 / 01 / 21 1-0 1-0 + - Teller has an injured ankle, but it is expected that he will line up against the Chiefs in the AFC divisional round.
JC Tretter (C) Prob Sun Knee - 13 / 01 / 21 1-0 1-0 + - Tretter is managing a knee injury, but it is likely that he will partake in the AFC divisional round against the Chiefs.
Jack Conklin (T) Ques Sun Hamstring - 13 / 01 / 21 1-0 1-0 + - Conklin has injuries to his hamstring an knee, leaving his status for the AFC divisional round against he Chiefs clouded.
B.J. Goodson (LB) Ques Sun Shoulder - 13 / 01 / 21 1-0 1-0 + - Goodson is dealing with a shoulder injury, and it is unknown if he will be available for the AFC divisional round versus the Chiefs.
Robert Jackson (CB) I-R Hamstring - 12 / 01 / 21 1-0 1-0 + - Jackson has ended up on the injured reserve list with a hamstring injury.
Michael Dunn (G) Out indefinitely Calf - 12 / 01 / 21 1-0 1-0 + - Dunn has been entered on the injured reserve list due to a calf injury, and he is without a definitive timetable for recovery.
Ronnie Harrison Jr. (S) Out Sun Illness - 09 / 01 / 21 1-1 2-0 + - Harrison Jr. will not play in the AFC Wildcard round against the Steelers due to COVID-19 reasons.