Steelers vs. Browns Point Spread: NFL Week 3 Odds, Prediction
The usually one-sided Steelers-Browns rivalry may not be as one-sided now that Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is in retirement.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
As far as I know, no one in the Cleveland Browns organization publicly rejoiced when Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback and future Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger retired this offseason, but privately I’m sure many did celebrate because Big Ben, the Ohio native, was 26-3-1 in his career against the team that passed him up early in the 2004 NFL Draft.
The Steelers did sweep last season with the game in Cleveland an ugly 15-10 defensive battle. Roethlisberger threw for 266 yards and a TD, and Najee Harris rushed for 91 yards and a score. Star linebacker TJ Watt, currently out injured, had 1.5 sacks. Baker Mayfield was the Cleveland QB then and threw for 225 yards but no TDs. He’s now in Carolina. Receiver Jarvis Landry, now in New Orleans, had a crucial fourth-quarter fumble.
Pittsburgh is 5-1 against the spread in the past six meetings.
Pittsburgh Steelers
In their first game this season without reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year TJ Watt (he’ll miss a handful more) on Sunday, the Steelers still played well on that side of the ball (albeit no sacks) but lost 17-14 in their home opener vs. New England. Mitchell Trubisky was 21-for-33 for 168 yards with a TD and a pick, and fans in Steel Town already are clamouring for rookie first-round pick Kenny Pickett — but Trubisky will remain the starter this week at least. Coach Mike Tomlin has said he will remain patient regarding Trubisky and embattled offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Linebacker Devin Bush left Sunday with an ankle injury, but it’s not though to be serious. The Steelers are 4-0 ATS in their past four vs. the AFC North.
Cleveland Browns
Cleveland had one of the most improbable losses in NFL history on Sunday at home against the New York Jets, and that’s not hyperbole. The Browns were up 24-17 with just under two minutes left and had first-and-10 at the New York 12. Running back Nick Chubb broke through the line of scrimmage and simply had to fall down at that point and the Browns could have run out the clock. However, he scored his third touchdown of the game. Cleveland missed the extra point, though. The Browns then allowed a 66-yard TD pass and failed to recover the ensuing onside kick. Of course, the Jets scored again to win 31-30. Incredible. Edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney, who has 1.5 sacks this season, injured his ankle in the third quarter and already has been ruled out Thursday.
PIT
CLE