The Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers lock horns in this divisional rivalry game, with each team looking to catch up on the Cincinnati Bengals and the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North. Check out our preview of this game below.
The Steelers are in a groove, as they took a two-game win streak into their bye in Week 7. After defeating the Denver Broncos at home in Week 5, 27-19, Pittsburgh hit the road and scored a 23-20 overtime win over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 6. Pittsburgh’s defense has elevated its play in the Steelers’ last two games, and so does the team’s offense. Against the Seahawks, Ben Roethlisberger passed for 229 yards and a touchdown with zero interceptions on 29/40 completions. He was also sacked just once. Although he’s past his prime and missing JuJu Smith-Schuster for the rest of the season, Big Ben can still get things done. Chase Claypool and Diontae Johnson are capable receivers plus the Steelers have running back Najee Harris, who’s been lights out for them. Cleveland’s defense upgraded in the offseason but it still keeps on getting exposed. Roethlisberger can pick his spots throwing against the Browns’ defense that’s only got three interceptions, thus far.
The Steelers are 25-9-2 against the spread in their last 36 games as an underdog.
The Browns looked like they were in a lot of trouble in Week 7. Not only that Baker Mayfield was out with a shoulder injury against the Denver Broncos, but they were also without their top-two running backs in Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. But who knew that the Browns are actually a three-man deep in the running back elite-ness. D’Ernest Johnson took full advantage of the opportunity and rushed for 146 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries in the Browns’ 17-14 win over Denver at home. Chubb is expected to play in Week 8, but having Johnson softens the blow of the continued absence of Hunt, who’s still on the injured reserve. Mayfield is questionable as well, but if he can’t go, the Browns feel confident in handing the starting duties to Case Keenum, who had 199 passing yards and a touchdown with zero INTs on 21/33 completions. Keenum isn’t flashy, but he gets the job done more often than not.
The Browns are 5-1 against the spread in their last 6 games following a victory.
