Browns vs. Steelers Total Pick
Will the Pittsburgh Steelers play in another low-scoring game with the Cleveland Browns when the two meet up on Sunday at 1PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Pittsburgh is favored at home on Sunday, as the Steelers are getting odds of -11 points against the Browns. The over/under total for the contest has been set at 38 points. Pittsburgh has won five straight meetings with the Browns and the two have hit the under in five of their last six encounters. The public betting in this game has 54 percent of the wagers going on the Steelers at home. Sunday’s game takes place from Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and will air live on CBS.
Cleveland is hoping to join an infamous group by going 0-16 for an NFL season. The Browns had a competitive game with the Steelers in Week 1, losing 21-18 at home. They are 9-6 with the under this season, hitting it in their last two games. Cleveland has struggled on offense all year, averaging just 14 points and 322.3 yards per game. DeShone Kizer has thrown for just 2,580 yards with nine touchdowns and 21 interceptions this year. Isaiah Crowell is the leading rusher with 832 yards while Duke Johnson Jr. has run for 328 yards and caught 68 passes for 618 yards. The Cleveland defense hasn’t been awful, allowing just 25.5 points and 338.9 yards per game. Their run defense is holding opponents to 96.1 yards per contest.
Pittsburgh is coming off a 34-6 win at Houston last week to improve to 12-3 on the season. The Steelers can still earn the top seed in the AFC with a win and a loss by New England this weekend. Pittsburgh has frequently went under the total this season, hitting it in two straight and in 10 of 15 game sin 2017. The Steelers are holding opponents to just 18.9 points and 325.8 yards per game while averaging 25.2 points and 389.2 yards per game on offense. Ben Roethlisberger has thrown for 4,251 yards and 28 touchdowns to go with 14 interceptions. He will be without leading receiver, Antonio Brown, who continues to deal with a calf injury. Le’Veon Bell has run for 1,291 yards and nine scores while catching 85 passes for 655 yards to lead the offense. The Pittsburgh defense is led by Cameron Heyward, who has 45 tackles with 12 sacks.
The under has been the trend in this series and for both teams during the season. I think it hits again on Sunday. Pittsburgh is without one of its best offensive players and facing a defense that isn’t nearly as bad as its record would lead you to think. Cleveland also should be up for this game, as they don’t want to go 0-16. Pride on both sides should make for a defensive battle.
NFL WEEK 17 PREDICTION: STEELERS/ BROWNS UNDER 38
