Steelers vs. Browns: NFL Week 8 betting odds, preview, and pick
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) dives over the line to score a touchdown. (Photo by Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire)
October 26th, 2021
An AFC North rivalry will be renewed this Sunday afternoon as the Pittsburgh Steelers visit the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium.
The rivalry between the Pittsburgh Steelers #HereWeGo and the Cleveland #Browns can be a little intense at times. #NFL #PITvsCLE pic.twitter.com/VYxz6Hd8HP
— Ed_in_Columbus (@ed_in_columbus) October 25, 2021
The Steelers won two straight tilts at home before their Week 7 bye, while the shorthanded Browns got back in the win column after two consecutive losses in Week 7’s Thursday night game against the Denver Broncos. Let’s see how these teams stack up, and what the best bet for this matchup is.
Pittsburgh Steelers (3-3) at Cleveland Browns (4-3), 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS
Mayfield may miss another game
Baker Mayfield has a significant shoulder injury, and could possibly land on the IR if it doesn’t heal quickly. Odds are good that Case Keenum will once again line up under center for Cleveland.
"The @Browns paid $18 million for a backup quarterback and critics scratched their heads. Thursday night's performance is why you go and sign Case Keenum with absolutely no regrets. The Browns were ready and their QB didn't flinch when they needed him most." -- @Pschrags pic.twitter.com/VF16HmQdQM
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) October 22, 2021
Keenum is objectively one of the better backups in the league, and gave a decent account of himself last Thursday by going 21-for-33 through the air for 199 yards and a touchdown. But his ceiling is clearly limited, and it doesn’t help that the Browns’ top wide-outs – Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry – are battling injuries of their own.
With top-tier running back Nick Chubb in danger of missing another game too, Cleveland’s offense could find it difficult to move the chains against a Pittsburgh defense that’s allowed the sixth-fewest first downs per game in the NFL (19).
Mike Tomlin’s troops should be prepared off a bye
The Steelers have no major injuries to speak of heading into Week 8, and are 10-4 off their bye week dating back to 2007.
Ben Roethlisberger has begun to show his age this year, but his last two games have been solid, as he’s gone 44-for-65 (67.7%) for 482 yards and three touchdowns combined. Roethlisberger’s thrown no interceptions in that span, and was sacked only twice thanks to an improving Steelers offensive line.
Najee Harris is loose 🔥pic.twitter.com/rdR7h1nOMq
— PFF (@PFF) August 22, 2021
Running back Najee Harris has also reaped the benefits of a prospering Pittsburgh front five. He carried the ball 47 times combined over his last two starts, rushing for 203 yards and a score. Harris has added 66 receiving yards and a touchdown on six catches in that stretch.
Steelers vs. Browns injury report
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Cleveland Browns |
|---|
Ben Roethlisberger: Questionable (pectoral/hip) | Baker Mayfield: Questionable (shoulder) |
Chase Claypool: Questionable (hamstring) | Nick Chubb: Questionable (calf) |
Melvin Ingram III: Questionable (groin) | Jarvis Landry: Questionable (knee) |
Odell Beckham Jr: Questionable (shoulder) |
Steelers and Browns betting trends
- The Steelers are 11-4 ATS in their last 15 games as a road underdog
- The Browns are 8-18 ATS in their last 26 games in October
- The Under is 41-13-1 in the Steelers’ last 55 road games
- The Over is 8-3 in the Browns’ last 11 games against AFC opponents
The verdict
The Steelers should squeak past a banged-up Browns squad in a fairly low-scoring contest.
Score prediction: Steelers 20, Browns 17
NFL pick: Steelers +4
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