Who would have thought the Week 11 matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers would be the best opportunity for the Cleveland Browns to get their first win of the season? One team playing equally as bad as the Browns over the last month, the Steelers enter the contest mired in a four-game losing skid that has them below .500 and in jeopardy of missing out on the postseason. The Steelers have never lost five consecutive games under Mike Tomlin and the chances of that happening are very slim.
This contest in Week 11 of the regular season will go down Sunday, November 20, 2016, at 1 p.m. ET at FirstEnergy Stadium.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Pittsburgh Steelers -9
Cleveland Browns +9
Over/Under 49.5
Odds Analysis
Early sharp action had the line pared down a full point from its opening of Steelers -10. Pittsburgh has struggled defensively during its losing streak and the Browns own the second-worst defense in the league, making the over a favorite pick of totals bettors. Each team is 0-4 ATS in its last four games so something has to give in this one and it’s likely the Browns that falter again.
Injury Report
Ross Cockrell – The Steelers lost their best cornerback to an arm injury last game and that means extra space in the secondary for Cleveland’s Terrelle Pryor if Cockrell is unable to go. Cockrell has covered the opposing teams to receiver in most games and done a nice job for a pass defense that ranks 28th.
Jamar Taylor – Cleveland’s starting cornerback missed the last game with a groin injury and could be on the shelf against Pittsburgh. Taylor has two picks and played solid ball this season opposite Joe Haden. His absence would leave the Browns’ secondary vulnerable to Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers passing game.
Matchup to Watch
The Steelers aren’t used to what’s happening with them right now. Pittsburgh did everything to beat the Cowboys on Sunday, surpassing their weekly goal of scoring 30 points and getting huge games from their offensive playmakers. But in the end they didn’t win, blowing a lead late in an epic battle with one of the best teams in the NFL. The Steelers had struggled offensively during the first three games of their slide, averaging just 15 points in losses to Miami, New England and Baltimore. But the big guns came out against Dallas. That was a good sign. Surrendering 422 yards and two touchdowns in the final two minutes of their 35-30 loss wasn’t.
Ben Roethlisberger appears to be over the knee injury that sidelined him for one of the losses and hindered him in two others. He threw for 408 yards and three scores. With a thinned out group of receivers, Antonio Brown broke free for 14 catches and 154 yards with a touchdown. Le’Veon Bell accounted for 134 yards from scrimmage and a pair of scores. That means the Browns and their defense that ranks next to last in rushing yards, total yards and points allowed will be in for a workout.
Free ATS Pick
For the first time this season, Hue Jackson showed some desperation during the Browns latest loss when he pulled Cody Kessler in the second half. It was a move designed to jump start the offense after some missed plays, but when you haven’t won a game it smelled desperate. Why else would you pull the quarterback that could be the starter in the future for a 37-year-old backup? But when you’re winless, why not pull out all the stops. The offense still failed behind Josh McCown, Kevin Hogan couldn’t do anything and Kessler will be inserted back as the starter, according to Jackson.
With the Steelers badly in need of a win, a matchup with the Browns couldn’t have come at a better time. Pittsburgh got its offensive weapons working against the Cowboys and put on a display that we’ve come to expect. Big Ben was connecting with Brown and Bell was electric out of the backfield. The result was a big night for all three but another loss. The Browns aren’t as explosive on offense as Dallas so the Steelers should have more success stopping them. And going against one of the worst defensive units gives Pittsburgh an excellent chance at ending their winless skid. Besides, I don’t think Tomlin wants to be the coach of the team that loses to Cleveland.
NFL Odds: Steelers 31, Browns 20
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