Steelers vs. Browns Point Spread: NFL Predictions, Week 11 Odds
It’s another intra-division matchup on a Thursday night to start Week 11 as the surging Pittsburgh Steelers visit the disappointing Cleveland Browns in an AFC North showdown
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Which two teams took the most betting action to win the Super Bowl entering this season? Those would be the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears. Both are likely to miss the playoffs and may both finish with losing records.
Cleveland has been so disappointing that many think first-year head coach Freddie Kitchens won’t get a second season. He had never even been an NFL coordinator until about midway through the 2018 season when the Browns fired Coach Hue Jackson so it surprised many Kitchens got the top job after the season. Pittsburgh lost future Hall of Fame quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to a season-ending injury in Week 2 this year and looked dead in the water at 0-3 but has since rallied nicely.
It’s the first of two meetings between these AFC North rivals, with the Browns heading to Pittsburgh on Dec. 1. The Steelers were 1-0-1 vs. the Browns last season – Roethlisberger almost never loses to them. They tied in Week 1 in Cleveland 21-21 when both teams’ kickers missed potential late winning field goals (one in OT by the Browns was blocked), and then Pittsburgh was a 33-18 home winner in Week 8. Big Ben threw two TD passes to Antonio Brown — now out of the NFL — and James Conner ran for 146 yards and two touchdowns.
The home team is 3-1-1 against the spread in the past five meetings. The over is 4-1 in those.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers could join a rare group of teams to start 0-3 and still make the playoffs as they got to above .500 by winning their fourth in a row Sunday, 17-12 over the visiting Rams. Stellar defensive effort considering Los Angeles was coming off its bye week; cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick returned a fumble 43 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter. He has been a spectacular trade addition from Miami. The Rams’ only touchdown was scored by their defence and they turned it over four times. Pittsburgh’s offence wasn’t anything to write home about with 273 yards and two turnovers. The Steelers managed 42 yards on 27 carries. Top running back James Conner didn’t play due to a shoulder injury but is expected to Thursday. Pittsburgh is 6-1 ATS in its past seven games.
Cleveland Browns
Cleveland kept its slim playoff hopes alive with a 19-16 home win over Buffalo to end a four-game losing streak. Baker Mayfield had two touchdown passes, including the winner from 7 yards out to Rashard Higgins with 1:44 remaining. Mayfield didn’t throw an interception for only the second time this season and it was his first two-TD passing day of the year.
Former NFL rushing champion Kareem Hunt made his Browns debut off an eight-game suspension and rushed for 30 yards while catching seven passes for 44 yards.
Receiver Antonio Callaway was a healthy scratch in a disciplinary move. Defensive end Olivier Vernon didn’t play due to a knee injury. The Browns are 6-2 ATS in their past eight Thursday games.
PIT
CLE