Browns vs. Steelers Spread Prediction
T.J. Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers will host their AFC North rivals the Cleveland Browns in a Wild Card Weekend NFL playoff matchup at 8:15 p.m. ET. Will the Steelers cover as a 6-point home favorite or are the Browns the better bet?
Game Snapshot
151 Cleveland Browns (+6) at 152 Pittsburgh Steelers (-6); o/u 47.5
8:05 p.m. ET, Sunday, January 10, 2021
Venue: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA
TV: NBC
Cleveland Browns DFS Spin
The Browns coaches are driving themselves to Sunday’s Wild Card game in Pittsburgh as a coronavirus precaution. Per SI’s Albert Breer, the idea is to “protect the coaches, better space the players on the flight.” They are on the road as of Saturday afternoon. It’s just a two-hour drive. With coach Kevin Stefanski COVID positive, special teams coordinator Mike Priefer will be the head man as the Browns seek their first playoff victory since Bill Belichick roamed the sidelines.
Pittsburgh Steelers DFS Spin
James Conner rushed nine times for 37 yards in the Steelers’ Week 17 loss to the Browns, adding five receptions for 25 additional yards. The Steelers rested a few key starters, but Conner’s 14 touches were his most since before Thanksgiving. The Steelers seemed to want to get their nominal “lead back” going headed into the postseason after an extremely disappointing regular campaign. Rematching with the Browns’ pass-funnel defense in the Wild Card Round, Conner won’t be a high-upside DFS option with Ben Roethlisberger back under center.
Browns vs. Steelers Spread Betting Prediction
The Browns are just 1-4-1 against the spread in their last six trips to Pittsburgh and failed to cover in four of the previous five meetings in this series. They’re also 3-11 at the betting window in their last 14 road games, are 8-26-2 against the spread in their last 36 games against a team with a winning record and are just 9-25-1 ATS in their last 35 divisional matchups.
The Steelers, meanwhile, have covered in seven of their last nine home playoff games, are 8-3 against the spread in their last 11 conference games and are 5-2 against the spread in their last seven home games overall. They’re also 11-5 at the window in their last 16 divisional games.
NFL WILD CARD PREDICTION: PITTSBURGH STEELERS -6