With both teams currently outside the playoff hunt, the Week 17 Monday Night Football matchup between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers is a must-win to stay alive. The clubs have struggled recently with the Browns losing two straight and three of their last four games while the Steelers are just 2-4-1 in their last seven outings. The playoffs are a key storyline but we can’t overlook the possibility of this being Ben Roethlisberger’s last home game as a member of the Steelers since he’s hinted at retirement. And would there be a better way to end a storied career than with a victory? Cleveland is a 3.5-point favorite on the NFL betting line to keep its playoff hopes alive.
This regular season Week 17 matchup will take place on Monday, January 3, 2022 at 8:15 p.m. ET at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA and will be televised on ESPN.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Cleveland Browns -3.5
Pittsburgh Steelers +3.5
Total 40.5
Odds Analysis
We saw the line jump the fence with the Steelers originally a 1.5-point favorite when odds surfaced. The betting public apparently likes the Browns, who have climbed to -3.5 on the NFL betting line. Both teams are having trouble putting victories together, but the Browns have struggled less with their last two setbacks decided by a total of four points. In fact the largest margin in Cleveland’s last five games has been six points with the Browns going 2-3 SU and ATS in those matchups. The Steelers were crushed by the Chiefs last week putting their postseason chances in jeopardy. Since a tie with Detroit in Week 10, they are 2-4 SU and 3-3 ATS. The total came in at 41 and has since been wagered down to 40.5.
Player to Watch
If Roethlisberger does indeed hang up his cleats after this season this would be his last home game, unless for some unforeseen circumstance the Steelers host a playoff game. Big Ben has hinted at retirement and his play recently hasn’t inspired any hopes of him coming back. Roethlisberger threw for just 159 yards last week and had 148 passing yards the week before. Those are the two lowest yardage totals of the season for him. And the offense has struggled as a result, but it’s been a team effort.
With the 29th ranked ground game the Steelers are almost forced to throw the ball. And while Ben’s had some good games, he’s been erratic. The Steelers are averaging only 20.1 points and they’ve scored more than 20 points in a game twice in their previous seven games. The club didn’t do Ben any favors when retooling the offensive line in the offseason and as a result he’s been sacked 35 times, fifth-most in the NFL. With this potentially being Big Ben’s final home game that should come into play for handicapping purposes.
Last Meeting
The teams met in Week 8 with the Steelers pulling out a 15-10 win as a 5.5-point underdog. It was a rare defensive struggle with the teams combining for the fewest points in a game since the 2012 season. They’ve now cashed the UNDER in four of the last six meetings. Roethlisberger has had Cleveland’s number during his career. He was 22 of 34 for 266 yards with a touchdown beating Cleveland for the 24th time in 28 career starts against them. The Browns have one of the best ground games in the NFL but they were held below 100 yards in this one. They enter Week 17 averaging over 144 rushing yards. And the Steelers came up with big defensive plays to secure the victory. With the Browns in position to take the lead, Joe Schobert stripped Jarvis Landry and T.J. Watt recovered with six minutes left in the fourth. With less than two minutes remaining, the Steelers forced a turnover downs and ran out the clock for their fourth win in the last five games against their division foe.
Free ATS Pick
This is a difficult game to handicap with so much at stake for both sides. And they’ve both been in a rut for a few weeks making it more challenging. One team will keep its playoff hopes alive while the other is all but eliminated so there will be a playoff-like atmosphere. And considering the Steelers have more experience in those situations, especially Roethlisberger, it’s easy to side with the home team and the points.
NFL Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers +3.5 / OVER 40.5
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