The Steelers moved into the AFC playoff picture with last week’s win over the Raiders and have a chance to improve their standing with a win over division rival Cleveland. They’ll have to get it with Landry Jones running the show after Ben Roethlisberger strained his foot. Big Ben hasn’t ruled himself out of Sunday’s game, giving the 2-7 Browns something else to think about.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Pittsburgh Steelers -4.5
Cleveland Browns +4.5
Over/Under 41
ODDS ANALYSIS
After going 5-0-1 ATS to start the season, the Steelers failed to cover in each of their last three games posting a 1-2 SU record. That streak started on Oct. 25 with a loss at Kansas City in the only game Jones started. The line was wagered to Pittsburgh -5 with no movement on the total.
KEY INJURIES
Joel Bitonio – Cleveland’s starting left guard had his foot and ankle rolled in the loss to Cincinnati and is “out for a while,” according to coach Mike Pettine. Cam Erving, the second of Cleveland’s two first-round draft picks, figures to start against Pittsburgh.
Ben Roethlisberger – Suffered a mid-foot sprain last week that was supposed to sideline him for several weeks, but the Steelers’ quarterback hasn’t ruled out playing on Sunday. With a bye week following the Browns, it’s not likely Big Ben will play in favor of extra rest. Landry Jones gets the start if Roethlisberger is unable to go.
DeAngelo Williams – Had inflammation in the middle of his foot after a heavy workload last week. He sat out practice early in the week and the team will monitor his progress, though all indications are he will play on Sunday. Expect Jordan Todman and Isaiah Pead to get a few snaps this week.
KEY MISMATCH
Steelers’ receiver Antonio Brown didn’t score a touchdown in last week’s win over the Raiders, but he did everything else. His monster day consisted of 17 catches for 284 yards receiving and another 22 yards rushing. Brown was such a force, he outdistanced three teams in yards last weekend. The Jets couldn’t reach Brown’s total of 306. They finished with 290 on the day. And neither could the Vikings or Redskins, who put up 293 and 250 yards respectively. The Steelers repeatedly went to Brown in a variety of ways to spread the field. He was used on short throws, long passes and even on a jet sweep against Oakland’s 31st-ranked defense. Cleveland has its difficulties defending teams and will likely get a heavy dose of Brown. The Browns are 29th in total defense, surrendering 401.6 yards per game and could be without defensive backs Joe Haden and Donte Whitner, who are both questionable with concussions.
KEY STAT
+4 – Pittsburgh’s turnover margin. The Steelers have forced 15 turnovers this season and face a Cleveland team that has the third-most giveaways in the NFL with 17. The Browns are minus-4 in turnover differential.
BETTING ANGLE
The Browns will face a shorthanded Steelers team as they try to end an 11-game losing streak at Heinz Field. Roethlisberger is expected to miss the game with a foot injury and running back Le’Veon Bell is out for the year with a knee injury. Williams has filled in capably for Bell, while Pittsburgh has no such luxury at quarterback. Roethlisberger is 18-2 in his career against the Browns. Jones is expected to start in Big Ben’s place. Jones will have the team’s other star on the field – Antonio Brown had 284 receiving yards against Oakland, including a 57-yard reception from Jones on the game-winning drive. The Browns have not won in Pittsburgh since 2003. The last victory was the highlight of the Tim Couch era, a game Tommy Maddox started for Pittsburgh. Since Roethlisberger was drafted in 2004, the Browns have faced a different quarterback twice, going 1-1 in those games, which were both started by Charlie Batch.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Both teams have question marks at the quarterback spot entering this game, but at least the Steelers will get Roethlisberger back, likely after the team’s bye week. The Browns have no long-term answer for their woes. Josh McCown will start if healthy. The catch: he’s not healthy. The coaching staff has shown zero confidence in Johnny Manziel and that was before the Browns were blitzed last week by the Bengals. Cleveland will get a good look at Brown this week, especially after his record-breaking game against the Raiders. Brown set franchise records for receptions and yards and will roam free in the Cleveland secondary that will be without two starting defensive backs. Even with Haden and Whitner in there, the Browns weren’t all that good at stopping opponents, so expect Jones to target Brown and hand off to Williams as the Steelers control the ball and the football game.
Pittsburgh 26, Cleveland 17
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