Cleveland Browns (7-9) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8)
January 8, 2023 1:00 pm EDT
The Line: Pittsburgh Steelers -2.5 / Cleveland Browns +2.5; Over/Under: +37.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers meet Sunday in week 18 NFL action at Acrisure Stadium. The Cleveland Browns have split their last 10 games. The Pittsburgh Steelers have won 3 straight games.
The Cleveland Browns have lost 4 of their last 6 road games. Deshaun Watson is completing 56.7 percent of his passes for 872 yards, 12 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones have combined for 1,906 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, while David Njoku has 54 receptions. The Cleveland Browns ground game is averaging 147.3 yards per contest, and Nick Chubb leads the way with 1,448 yards and 12 touchdowns. Defensively, Cleveland is allowing 22.1 points and 331.1 yards per game. Grant Delpit leads the Cleveland Browns with 103 tackles, Myles Garrett has 15 sacks and Denzel Ward has 3 interceptions.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have split their last 6 home games. Kenny Pickett is completing 64.4 percent of his passes for 2,209 yards, 6 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Diontae Johnson and Pat Freiermuth have combined for 1,576 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns, while George Pickens has 49 receptions. The Pittsburgh Steelers ground game is averaging 120.6 yards per contest, and Najee Harris leads the way with 954 yards and 6 touchdowns. Defensively, Pittsburgh is allowing 20.8 points and 331.9 yards per game. Myles Jack leads the Pittsburgh Steelers with 100 tackles, Alex Highsmith has 12 sacks and Minkah Fitzpatrick has 6 interceptions.
The Browns are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. AFC North. The Steelers are 17-7-3 ATS in their last 27 games in January and 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall. The under is 6-0 in Browns last 6 games overall. The under is 4-1 in Steelers last 5 games overall. The Browns are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 meetings in Pittsburgh and 2-5 ATS in their last 7 meetings. The underdog is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings. The home team is 7-3 ATS in their last 10 meetings.
The Cleveland Browns will be up for this game to play spoiler and dash any playoff hopes of a division rival, but it’s not like they’ve been playing great and Watson is still clearly rusty. The Pittsburgh Steelers are playing their best ball of the season and are firing on all cylinders, especially defensively during this winning stretch. The Steelers have allowed 17 or fewer points in 6 straight games. There’s still a path to the playoffs for the Steelers, so expect them to keep things going. I’ll gladly lay the small chalk.
