The Cleveland Browns host the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday Jan 02, as the Steelers inch closer to a division title and a first-round playoff bye. The Steelers lead the Browns 9-1 SU in their last ten meetings. NFL oddsmakers have the Steelers as -6 point home favorites over the Browns while the game's total has been posted at 37.5 points. Be sure to get the latest NFL Point Spreads for your NFL Week 17 Predictions on the Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns Betting Odds.
The Steelers (11-4) (6-1 V) beat Carolina 27-3, at home, in Week 16. They can wrap up the AFC North and the bye if they beat Cleveland. QB Ben Roethlisberger completed 22 of 32 passes for 320 yards with one TD, one rushing TD, and no interceptions. RB Rashard Mendenhall had 18 carries for 65 yards with a TD, while WR Mike Wallace made four catches for 104 yards with a TD. Their defense got four sacks and one interception. Roethlisberger showed off his deep passing game as they out gained the Panthers 3-to-1. Pittsburgh probably won't know until Friday whether safety Troy Polamalu can play in the final regular-season game on Sunday. Polamalu hasn't played or practiced for two weeks because of an injured right Achilles' tendon. Coach Mike Tomlin said Polamalu won't practice Wednesday or Thursday. "Troy is improving," Tomlin said Tuesday. "We're going to look at him and watch him move. It's not out of the realm of possibility he could play. If he's healthy, he will." If Polamalu can't go Friday, he won't play. The Steelers have secured a playoff spot, they will win the AFC North, earn a first-round bye and ensure themselves of at least one home playoff game if they beat the Browns . Should they lose in Cleveland and Baltimore beats Cincinnati, the Ravens would win the division and the Steelers would be forced to go on the road next week for a wild-card game. The Steelers are ranked 16th on offense (340ypg) with a 16th ranked pass game (218ypg) and a 10th ranked ground game (121ypg). The Steelers score the 17th most points per-game (22.3ppg). Rashard Mendenhall leads their offense with 11 TD’s. The Steelers face the Browns 21st ranked defense (345ypg), their 13th ranked pass rush (214ypg) and their 26th ranked rush defense (131ypg). The Browns give up the seventh least amount of points per-game (19.4ppg). Joe Haden has six interceptions for the Browns.
The Browns (5-10) (3-4 H) lost to Baltimore 10-20, at home, and will not be in the playoffs. QB Colt McCoy made 15 of 29 passes for 149 yards with no TD’s and three interceptions. RB Peyton Hillis had 12 carries for 35 yards. WR Mike Bell made two catches for 48 yards, while Brian Robiskie added a TD. Their defense got one sack and one interception. While last season's loss in Cleveland to a one-win Browns team eventually prevented the Steelers from returning to the playoffs, they didn't know it at the time. There will be no such uncertainty this year. The Steelers haven't forgotten last season's loss in Cleveland, when Roethlisberger was sacked eight times for 60 yards in losses. That loss was the Steelers' fifth in a row, but they bounced back to win their final three and have since won 14 of 18 since. "We have to take care of Cleveland," Woodley said. "Last year, when we played Cleveland down there, they took care of business on us. We have to make sure that doesn't happen this year." The Browns are ranked 29th on offense (294ypg) with a 30th ranked pass game (187ypg) and a 19th ranked running game (106ypg). RB Peyton Hillis leads the Browns with 13 TD’s. The Browns face the Steelers second ranked defense (280ypg), their 14th ranked pass rush (216ypg) and the NFL’s best ranked rush defense (64ypg). The Steelers give up the least amount of points per-game (14.9ppg). Troy Polamalu has six interceptions for the Steelers.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Pittsburgh is 13-1 SU in its last 14 games when playing Cleveland
- Pittsburgh is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Cleveland
- Pittsburgh is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
- Cleveland is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cleveland's last 6 games at home
- Cleveland is 6-14 SU in its last 20 games at home
- Cleveland is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home
- Cleveland is 4-9-1 ATS in its last 14 games when playing Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns
When: Sun, Jan 02, 1:00 PM ET
Pick: Steelers -6
Point-Spreads.com recommends you get your NFL Picks Week 17 in early!
The Bottom Line: The Steelers aren’t losing at home with the title on the line. Be sure to get your NFL Week 17 Predictions on the Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns Betting Odds in early.
