Since NFL teams play divisional games on the final day of the season, it’s unusual for two teams to complete a divisional rivalry this early in the season, but Pittsburgh and Cleveland will.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cleveland Browns
Sunday, October 12th – 1:00 PM ET
Odds: Cleveland (-2)
Why The Steelers Will Cover
They have already beaten the Browns and have the knowledge that Cleveland is very accomplished at coming back against opponents this season. It’s really rather strange. In week one, Pittsburgh got off to a 27-3 lead at halftime but then relaxed and watched the Browns score 24 points in under 20 minutes in the second half to tie the game at 27-27.
The Steelers were able to stabilize and shut out the Browns over the final 10 minutes of the game. Pittsburgh was able to score at the end of regulation and win by a score of 30-27. Pittsburgh can go into this game knowing that it can start well against Cleveland, but the Steelers also are aware that they got away with a careless second half. If the Steelers can put together two good halves instead of one, they could not only win this game but blow out the Browns as well. Cleveland has just pulled off another comeback, one that ended with a victory against Tennessee, so as the Steelers start this game, they know very well that they can’t come out of the blocks slowly. They will be acutely cognizant of Cleveland’s comeback capabilities. They’re not going to be mentally sleepwalking in this game, a welcome advantage for them.
Why The Browns Will Cover
They know now, more than ever, that if they’re in a bad situation, they can overcome it. Cleveland pulled off a historic turnaround this past Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, trailing 28-3 in the first half before rallying for a 29-28 win, the biggest comeback by a road team in the history of the National Football League, which has been around for 95 years. Other teams have come back from larger deficits in both the regular season and the playoffs, but no road team pulled off a bigger escape than the Browns last Sunday.
Cleveland slowly worked its way back into the game, shutting out the Titans in the third quarter to shave a deficit to 28-13. Then, in the fourth, Cleveland made its move, jumping the Titans by a 16-0 score to win the game by a point. It’s been that kind of season in Cleveland, with every game somehow winding up a close call at the end. Every Browns game has been decided by under four points. All Cleveland needs to do here is win by a field goal to cover the spread. That’s very possible, but what could enable the Browns to win by even more points is that they gave up 376 passing yards to the Steelers on opening day. It’s very likely Pittsburgh will not be able to throw the ball nearly as well in this game. The Browns should have learned a few things by now.
Outlook
The Browns are a tougher team than many expected at the start of the season, but Pittsburgh has a good track record against Cleveland and should be able to keep the Browns’ offense out of the end zone more than once or twice. This still feels like the Steelers’ game to lose.
Pick: Steelers (+2)
