Expect an intense atmosphere at Heinz Field this weekend, as fierce division rivals Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers go at it for the first time this season. The Steelers currently lead the AFC North with an unblemished record, but the Browns have a chance to take over the top spot in the division with a win in this matchup.
All those “Here we go again” cries by Browns fans after Cleveland got wrecked by the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1 feels alien in retrospect. Since then, the Browns have stitched together four wins in a row, the latest was a 32-23 home win last Sunday over the Indianapolis Colts. That’s a win against a legitimate stop unit that entered Week 5 as the best in scoring defense. The Browns mocked the Colts’ defense by collecting 385 total yards and 32 points. Despite missing Nick Chubb, who remains out with an injury, the Browns’ backfield looked fine with Kareem Hunt taking over the lead role in the rushing attack. Hunt, who used to be the top running back for the Kansas City Chiefs, led the Browns with 72 rushing yards while also catching three passes for 21 receiving yards and a touchdown. Pittsburgh’s defense is regarded as among the sturdiest, too, but it didn’t look so elite last week against the banged-up Philadelphia Eagles, who scored a touchdown in all four quarters. One important thing to monitor for the Browns is the status of Baker Mayfield. The quarterback hurt his rib in the Colts game, though, he’s reportedly likely to play. If he can’t, then Case Keenum will be the one starting on Sunday.
The Browns are 3-0 against the spread (ATS) in their last three games.
The Steelers seemed to have a star in the making in the form of Chase Claypool. The second-rounder rookie was all over the place in the team’s 38-29 home win over the Eagles last week. Claypool had 110 receiving yards and three touchdowns on seven catches. He even had a rushing touchdown just to complete the day of his fantasy owners. And though they gave up almost 30 points to the Eagles, the Steelers made its presence felt on defense with five sacks and two interceptions. The Steelers don’t have a shortage of impact players on their defense. They have four players with at least three sacks, so far this season, including TJ Watt, who has 4.5. Watt is also one of five Steelers who’s recorded at least an in an interception in the last four games. The Steelers’ secondary is going to make it harder than usual for Cleveland’s talented wide receivers to catch passes and break free, while Mayfield will also have to contend with Pittsburgh’s pass rush that’s pacing the entire league with 20 sacks.
The Steelers are 6-3-1 against the spread in their last 10 games at home against the Browns.
