The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns are set for a fierce contest for AFC North supremacy on Thursday Night Football. The game will kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET at Huntington Bank Field.
The Steelers enter the matchup as 3.5-point favorites, with a total over/under of 36.5 points.
Pittsburgh (8-2 SU, 8-2 ATS, 5-5 O/U) secured a narrow 18-16 victory over the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday, marking their fifth consecutive win.
Cleveland (2-8 SU, 3-7 ATS, 4-6 O/U) faced a tough defeat, losing 35-14 to the New Orleans Saints. The Browns have only managed one win in their last eight outings.
Last season, the Steelers and Browns split their two encounters. Pittsburgh holds a slight edge, going 6-4 straight-up and 7-3 against the spread in their last ten meetings.
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Who will triumph in this NFL showdown? Discover the latest predictions for the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns!
Steelers Riding a Winning Wave
Pittsburgh achieved a significant victory against Baltimore, demonstrating their defensive prowess against the Ravens’ formidable offense. Kicker Chris Boswell tied a franchise record by scoring six field goals in the tight 18-16 win. The Steelers have also enjoyed success against Baltimore, winning seven of their last eight matchups.
The team recently transitioned from Justin Fields to Russell Wilson at quarterback on October 20. The veteran quarterback has performed well, accumulating 942 passing yards, six touchdowns, and two interceptions over four games. Key receiving targets include WR George Pickens (48 receptions, 728 yards, two TDs), TE Pat Freiermuth (31 receptions, 295 yards, three TDs), and WR Calvin Austin III (17 receptions, 262 yards, two TDs). The rushing attack is led by RB Najee Harris, who has 708 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 175 carries.
Pittsburgh averages 23.3 points (14th in the league) and 324.0 total yards (19th), with a balanced split of 187.3 passing yards (28th) and 136.7 rushing yards (8th). They have faced some challenges, allowing 28 sacks (25th) and committing eight turnovers (3rd). The Steelers convert 38.3% of third downs (17th) and score touchdowns on 44.4% of red zone visits (30th).
Defensively, they allow only 16.2 points (2nd) and 305.3 total yards (8th) per game, with 214.5 passing yards (19th) and 90.8 rushing yards (4th) allowed. They have recorded 24 sacks (22nd) and forced 19 turnovers (2nd). Opponents convert 34.9% of third downs (9th) and score touchdowns on 48.2% of their red zone opportunities (8th).
Pittsburgh Steelers Injury Report: Linebacker Alex Highsmith (ankle) and center Zach Fraizer (ankle) are questionable for Thursday’s game against Cleveland.
Browns Struggling with Offensive Line Woes
Cleveland faced challenges in their recent game against New Orleans, where they were outgained 473-443 but managed to win the turnover battle. The team struggled on third and fourth downs, converting just 4 out of 16 attempts in their 35-14 loss. Quarterback Jameis Winston threw for 395 yards and two touchdowns, while WR Jerry Jeudy led the receiving corps with six catches for 142 yards.
Winston leads the Browns’ passing game, completing 61.4% of his passes for 1,047 yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions. His primary targets are WR Jerry Jeudy (39 receptions, 560 yards, two TDs), TE David Njoku (39 receptions, 336 yards, two TDs), and WR Elijah Moore (39 receptions, 315 yards, one TD). The ground game is primarily driven by Nick Chubb, who has rushed for 163 yards and one touchdown on 53 carries.
The Browns average a low 16.2 points (31st in the league) and 291.3 total yards (27th), with 202.8 passing yards (20th) and 88.5 rushing yards (29th). They have struggled with an alarming 46 sacks allowed (32nd) and have committed 12 turnovers (7th). Cleveland converts only 28.1% of third downs (32nd) and scores touchdowns on 52.9% of red zone visits (23rd).
On defense, the Browns concede 24.8 points (24th) and 342.7 total yards (19th) per game. They allow 211.0 passing yards (17th) and 131.7 rushing yards (24th). With 28 sacks (10th) and seven forced turnovers (31st), Cleveland’s defense has been inconsistent. Opponents convert 33.0% of third downs (5th) and find the end zone 63.3% of the time in the red zone (24th).
Cleveland Browns Injury Report: Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (knee) is out. Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (knee), guard Michael Dunn (illness), guard Zak Zinter (knee), center Ethan Pocic (back), guard Joel Bitonio (foot), center Luke Wypler (ankle), guard Wyatt Teller (knee), and cornerback Denzel Ward (chest) are all questionable for Thursday’s game against Pittsburgh.
Best Bets for Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns
