The Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers square off in week 3 Thursday Night Football NFL action from FirstEnergy Stadium. Pittsburgh is 1-1 so far this year and coming off a close loss to the Patriots. As for the Browns, they’re 1-1 as well after their own close loss to the Jets. Check back all season long for free NFL picks at Sports Chat Place.
Pittsburgh has played a couple of tight games already this year, with mixed results. In the opener, the Steelers took on the rival Bengals. Pittsburgh managed a tense 23-20 overtime win after getting outscored 14-3 in the second half. QB Mitch Trubisky managed 194 yards and a score in the win.
In game two versus the Patriots, Pittsburgh was on the receiving end of a close defeat. The Steelers posted an 8-0 fourth-quarter run but couldn’t come back in a 17-14 loss. Trubisky managed 168 yards with a TD and a pick, and Najee Harris led the rush on 49 yards from 15 carries.
Over on the Browns’ side, they’ve had a couple of close games already as well. Cleveland was outscored 17-6 in the fourth quarter of their opener versus Carolina but still hung on for the 26-24 win. QB Jacoby Brissett finished with 147 yards and a touchdown on 18-of-34 passing.
Cleveland took on the Jets in week two and the team was handed its first loss. The Browns were up 17-14 after three quarters but eventually lost 31-30. Brissett put up 229 yards, one TD and one pick, while Nick Chubb led the rush on 87 yards and three scores.
The Steelers are 4-0 ATS in the last four after an ATS loss and 4-0 ATS in their last four versus the AFC North. Pittsburgh is 3-1-1 ATS in their last five versus the AFC.
Meanwhile, the Browns are 16-34-2 ATS in their last 52 versus the AFC North and 8-21 ATS in the last 29 versus the AFC. Cleveland is 1-5 ATS in their last six at home.
PICK: I’m probably going to try the Steelers here, but I could go either way. Cleveland had some pretty solid offensive numbers in their surprising loss to the Jets, so the team has a few things to build on. The Browns put up 405 total yards and 29 first downs in that one, going 8-of-12 on third-down tries. The defense gave up 6.0 yards per play and 309 pass yards, though.
As for Pittsburgh, they were out-gained 376-243 themselves against the Patriots and coughed up a couple of turnovers along the way, which didn’t help. Even if Cleveland does win this one, I think the line is generous enough for Pittsburgh to get in there. Should be a fun game.