Browns at Steelers Pick
AFC North divisional foes meet at Heinz Field on Sunday when the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Cleveland Browns at 1:00PM ET.
The Browns earned their first victory of the year in Week 4 with an ugly 6-3 win over the Bills. Derek Anderson was just 2-of-17 passing for 23 yards and an interception, while Jamal Lewis rushed for 117 yards on 31 carries. Cleveland covered as a 5.5-point underdog.
The Steelers won their second consecutive game with a 28-20 win over the Lions last Sunday. Ben Roethlisberger passed for 277 yards and three touchdowns, while Rashard Mendenhall rushed for 77 yards and a touchdown 15 carries. Even though they won, Pittsburgh failed to cover the spread as an 11-point favorite.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SPORTSBETTING.com have made the Steelers 14-point favorites over the Browns on Sunday. The over/under total for this game has been set at 38.
Pittsburgh has only covered once this year, but that doesn’t mean bettors should shy away from them, especially this week.
The Steelers expect to have safety Troy Polamalu back for the first time since he suffered a knee injury in the opening week of the season. With Polamalu back, Pittsburgh’s defense could return to the stifling unit that shuts opponents out on a routine basis.
Pittsburgh should be able to force a couple of turnovers from Anderson, who has never been shy about throwing interceptions. As long as the Steelers stuff Lewis and the Browns’ running game, they should be fine. And while Cleveland has played more inspired defensively of late, the Browns might be without defensive tackle Shaun Rogers this week, which would be huge.
We like the Steelers in a blow out.
Our NFL Week 6 Free Pick for this matchup is: PITTSBURGH STEELERS -14 and OVER 38.
Browns at Steelers Current Odds
213 Cleveland Browns +14 Over 38
214 Pittsburgh Steelers –14 Under 38
Cleveland is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
Cleveland is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games at home
Pittsburgh is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
NFL Week 6 Injury Report
Cleveland Browns
Shaun Rogers DT Missed Thursday Practice (not injury related)
Eric Barton LB Limited Thursday Practice (neck)
David Bowens LB Limited Thursday Practice (knee)
Kenyon Coleman DE Limited Thursday Practice (groin)
Phil Dawson K Limited Thursday Practice (right calf)
Rex Hadnot G Limited Thursday Practice (knee)
Steve Heiden TE Limited Thursday Practice (knee)
D’Qwell Jackson LB Limited Thursday Practice (hamstring)
Robert Royal TE Limited Thursday Practice (foot, finger)
Mike Adams S Full Thursday Practice (groin)
Gerard Lawson CB Full Thursday Practice (groin)
Jamal Lewis RB Full Thursday Practice (hamstring)
Anthony Madison CB Full Thursday Practice (illness)
Robaire Smith DE Full Thursday Practice (calf)
John St. Clair T Full Thursday Practice (thumb)
Kamerion Wimbley LB Full Thursday Practice (shoulder)
Floyd Womack G Full Thursday Practice (ankle)
Dave Zastudil P Full Thursday Practice (right knee)
Pittsburgh Steelers
Rashard Mendenhall RB Missed Thursday Practice (illness)
Andre Frazier LB Limited Thursday Practice (thigh)
Trai Essex G Full Thursday Practice (ankle)
James Farrior LB Full Thursday Practice (elbow)
Travis Kirschke DE Full Thursday Practice (back)
Willie Parker RB Full Thursday Practice (toe)
Troy Polamalu S Full Thursday Practice (knee)
Posted: 10/18/09 8:10AM ET