Technically the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns are considered rivals, but the lowly Browns have been a doormat for the black and gold over the years. After another offseason of rebuilding, the young Browns will look to make a statement against the gold standard of the AFC North in front of their hometown fans in Week 1.
- The total has gone UNDER in four of the Steelers’ last five games against the Browns.
- The Browns are 1-7-1 ATS in their last nine games in the early afternoon.
- The total has gone UNDER in six of the Browns’ last eight games after losing the previous game in a matchup.
Sportsbook opened the Steelers as 9-point road favorites with a total of 47.
If you’re a Browns fan or bettor looking for positives, you’re not going to find many. In the last 27 meetings between Pittsburgh and Cleveland, the Browns are a terrible 3-24 SU. More recently, Ben Roethlisberger and company are 3-0-1 ATS in their previous four vs Cleveland. Pittsburgh won the first contest between the clubs in 2016 by a score of 27-24 and followed that up with a 24-9 triumph at the end of the season.
Just how bad have the Browns been in season openers? Cleveland hasn’t won a game in Week 1 in the last 12 years, while getting outscored 316-168 in that span. The average margin of victory by the Browns’ opponents is 12.3 points.
Unsurprisingly, the Steelers are once again stacked on offense and should put a ton of points on the board in 2017. Pittsburgh boasts an offense featuring the steady Roethlisberger, standout running back Le’Veon Bell, the best wide receiver in the league in Antonio Brown, and Martavis Bryant, who missed all of last year due to suspension.
The quarterback carousel in Cleveland is taking yet another turn with unproven rookie signal-caller DeShone Kizer getting the reins to the Browns offense. Unlike past years, there is some hope on that side of the ball with Isaiah Crowell expected to have a breakout year as the team’s unquestioned top running back. Kenny Britt was brought in from the L.A. Rams to fill the void of the departed Terrelle Pryor. The Browns averaged only 16.5 points per game – 31st in the NFL – but expect that number to rise going forward.
These teams have a major penchant for going UNDER, which means totals bettors need to take note. In the last five matchups between the Steelers and Browns, the UNDER is 4-1.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The Pittsburgh Steelers betting odds line opened as 8.5-point favorites in this one at most sportsbooks tracked here at OddsShark (including Sportsbook), while the total was hovering around 47 at most shops.
OddsShark computer NFL score prediction models picked a possible 22-18 win for the Browns on Sunday. That score may change during the week, if injury or weather factors alter the numbers, so check the NFL picks page before game time. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NFL matchups here.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Cleveland Browns went 1-15 last season, and 3-12-1 ATS vs the point spread. The Pittsburgh Steelers, meanwhile, were 13-6 and 11-7-1 ATS. Those OVER/UNDER betting saw Cleveland go 8-8 and the Pittsburgh Steelers go 7-12 on the totals. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Cleveland vs Pittsburgh injuries news.
This game matches up the No. 31 (Cleveland Browns) and the No. 4 (Pittsburgh Steelers) teams in the league, according to our current NFL Power Rankings at OddsShark.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the Cleveland Browns' No. 31-ranked offense last season (16.5 PPG) against a Pittsburgh Steelers defense that ranked No. 10 at 20.58 PPG. The Browns passing attack averaged 204 yards per game, less than the Steelers gave up through the air (246.05 YPG on average).
In comparing defenses, the Pittsburgh Steelers owned the league's No. 2-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 83.7 yards per game when on the road. Cleveland, on the other hand, rated No. 30 this week in generating rushing yards at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
In Pittsburgh's last outing, Ben Roethlisberger threw for 314 yards in a losing cause against the Patriots, 36-17 at Gillette Stadium.
- Pittsburgh is 7-2-1 ATS in its last 10 games
- Pittsburgh is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 16 of Pittsburgh's last 23 games
- Pittsburgh is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
- Cleveland is 1-8-1 ATS in its last 10 games
- Cleveland is 1-18 SU in its last 19 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cleveland's last 8 games
- Cleveland is 1-8 ATS in its last 9 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Pittsburgh home to Minnesota, Sunday, September 17
Cleveland at Baltimore, Sunday, September 17
