Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns Picks and Predictions December 8th 2024

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns December 8th 2024

The Browns and Steelers will face off on Sunday, December 8th at 1:00 ET on CBS. The Steelers are favored at -280 on the money line, and the Browns are +222 as they look to improve their record. The over/under line is set at 43 points, and the Steelers are -6 point favorites. The game is being played at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA.

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Cleveland vs. Pittsburgh Key Information

• Teams: Browns at Steelers
• Where: Acrisure Stadium Pittsburgh
• Date: Sunday, December 8th
• Betting Odds PIT -280 | CLE +222 O/U 43

The Browns Can Win If…

With a 3-9 record, the Browns are 4th in the AFC North and 19th in our power rankings. They have a -7.5 scoring margin and are 4-8 against the spread. As underdogs, they are 4-4 ATS, but they are 0-4 as favorites. Their O/U record is 6-6, with the over hitting in three straight games.

After beating the Steelers in week 12, Cleveland couldn’t keep the momentum going, losing 41-32 to the Broncos in week 13. The Browns were 6.5-point underdogs and couldn’t cover, and the 73 combined points easily went over the 41.5-point line.

Heading into week 14, the Browns are 31st in our offensive power rankings. They rank 28th in points per game, averaging 18.2, and are 22nd in yards per game with 314.1. Cleveland is 2nd in passing attempts per game and 13th in passing yards, averaging 226.8. However, they struggle on the ground, ranking 25th in rushing attempts and 30th in rushing yards per game, with 87.2. The Browns are 31st in 3rd-down conversion percentage but lead the NFL in red zone conversion rate.

In week 13, Jameis Winston threw for 497 yards and 4 touchdowns, despite 3 interceptions, against the Broncos. Jerry Jeudy had 9 catches for 235 yards and a touchdown, while Jerome Ford led the team with 41 rushing yards on 9 carries. Cleveland scored in every quarter, converting 9 of 19 3rd downs and 3 of 4 red zone attempts.

In their 41-32 loss to the Broncos, the Browns’ defense gave up 294 passing yards on just 18 completions. They forced two interceptions and held Denver to 51.4% completions, but still allowed 8.4 yards per attempt. Cleveland’s defense struggled to generate pressure, as they failed to record a sack and lost the QB hit battle by a margin of -8.

On the ground, the Browns allowed 106 rushing yards on 26 attempts. Despite not allowing a rushing touchdown, they gave up 400 total yards and allowed the Broncos to convert on 46.2% of their third down attempts.

• Through their last three regular season contests, Cleveland has a record of 1-2. In these contests, the team went just 1-2 against the spread, while going 3-0 on the over-under.
• Across Cleveland’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 2-8. Across these games, their ATS record was just 3-7, while posting an over-under record of 5-5.

The Steelers Can Win If…

Heading into week 14, the Steelers sit atop the AFC North with a 9-3 record, giving them a 71.2% chance of winning the division and a 99.1% chance of making the playoffs. After a week 12 loss to the Browns, Pittsburgh bounced back with a 44-38 win over the Bengals, covering the spread as 3-point underdogs. The O/U line was set at 46 points, and the teams combined for 82.

So far this season, the Steelers have an average scoring margin of +6 and are 9-3 against the spread. They are 5-0 ATS as underdogs and 4-3 as favorites. Their O/U record is 7-5, with the over hitting in their last two games.

Russell Wilson has been on fire for the Steelers, following up his 270-yard performance in week 12 with a 414-yard, 3-touchdown outing against the Bengals in week 13, completing 29 of 38 passes. George Pickens led the receiving corps with 74 yards on 3 catches, while Najee Harris rushed for 75 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.

Heading into week 14, the Steelers rank 9th in the NFL in scoring, averaging 24.7 points per game. They are 14th in total offense with 344 yards per game and 20th in passing yards, despite ranking 28th in pass attempts. Pittsburgh leans heavily on the run, ranking 2nd in rushing attempts and 9th in rushing yards per game.

In their 44-38 win over the Bengals, the Steelers’ defense allowed 375 offensive yards. Cincinnati found success in the passing game, completing 73.7% of their passes for 282 yards and converting on 50% of their third down attempts. The Bengals also managed to score three passing touchdowns.

Despite their struggles against the pass, the Steelers’ defense did come up with four sacks and one interception. On the ground, the Bengals ran for 93 yards on just 15 attempts.

• Pittsburgh has put together a record of 3-0 over their past three games. Their strong play has also resulted in an ATS mark of 3-0 (last 3). They had an over/under mark of 2-1 in those same games.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Steelers have gone 7-3 straight up. Their record against the spread in this stretch is 7-3 to go along with an over-under mark of 5-5.

The Lean

For this week 14 matchup between the Browns and Steelers, we have the Browns as our pick to cover as road underdogs. Right now, the point spread lines have the Browns at +6, and we actually have the Steelers winning this one 26-22.

As for our best bet vs. the spread, we like the Browns to cover at +6. And with the over/under line sitting at 43 points, we have a projected combined score of 48 points, making the over our top pick.

Weekly Football Picks

AFC North Showdown: Steelers Aim for Redemption Against Browns

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns are set to clash in a highly anticipated AFC North rematch on Sunday. After Cleveland’s stunning win in snowy conditions 17 days ago, the stakes are higher with the Steelers seeking redemption on home turf. Here’s everything you need to know about this exciting matchup.

Last Meeting: Browns Stun Steelers in the Snow

Cleveland pulled off a dramatic upset in their previous encounter, overcoming a 12-point fourth-quarter deficit to secure a last-minute 24-19 victory. The snowstorm in Cleveland significantly impacted the game, creating unpredictable conditions.

The Steelers, however, have a chance to even the series under clearer skies, where both teams can fully utilize their strengths.

A Long History of Pittsburgh Dominance

The odds are stacked against Cleveland when it comes to regular-season games in Pittsburgh.

• The Browns have lost 20 consecutive regular-season games in Pittsburgh.
• Their last win at Acrisure Stadium (formerly Heinz Field) was on Oct. 5, 2003, when Tim Couch led Cleveland to a 33-13 victory.
• A rare bright spot came in the 2020 playoffs when Cleveland triumphed in an AFC Wild Card game.

Despite this history, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski remains optimistic:

“We look forward to the challenge. That’s the fun part of this business—going on the road and trying to get a win,” Stefanski said.

A Tale of Two Seasons

Pittsburgh Steelers: AFC North Leaders

The Steelers, sitting at 9-3, are in control of the division, leading by 1.5 games over the Baltimore Ravens. Their only recent blemish was the snowstorm loss to Cleveland, but they quickly rebounded with a thrilling 44-38 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.

• Offensive Momentum:
  Quarterback Russell Wilson delivered a stellar performance against Cincinnati, throwing for a season-best 414 yards and three touchdowns.“It gives us a lot of momentum, but we have to use it for good,” Wilson said.
• Defensive Concerns:
  Pittsburgh’s defense, typically the hallmark of Mike Tomlin’s team, allowed 38 points against the Bengals—a situation Tomlin found troubling.”I don’t know that I’m ever comfortable planning to shoot out,” Tomlin admitted.
• Key Players:
  • T.J. Watt (9.5 sacks) continues to dominate on defense.
  • Linebacker Alex Highsmith (ankle) is expected to return after a three-game absence, bolstering the Steelers’ pass rush.

Cleveland Browns: Offense Comes Alive

At 3-9, the Browns are out of playoff contention, but they’re not without their weapons. A change at quarterback has sparked improvement on offense.

• James Winston’s Impact:
  Replacing an injured Deshaun Watson (Achilles), Winston has helped the Browns score 24+ points in three of his five starts—a feat they never achieved with Watson this season.
  • Winston set a franchise record with 497 passing yards in a 41-32 loss to Denver, though his three interceptions proved costly.
  “It’s about executing when your team needs you the most,” Winston said. “I take pride in that and I’m going to keep working.”
• Breakout Performances:
  • Receiver Jerry Jeudy recorded career highs of nine receptions and 235 yards against Denver, showcasing his explosive potential.
  • Defensive end Myles Garrett continues to shine, notching three sacks in the Browns’ last win over Pittsburgh. Garrett is now just 1.5 sacks away from reaching 100 for his career.

Injury Updates

Steelers

• Linebacker Alex Highsmith (ankle) and receiver Calvin Austin III (concussion) were limited in practice.

Browns

Cleveland faces a tougher injury situation:

• Receivers Cedric Tillman (concussion) and Jamari Thrash (shoulder) missed practice.
• Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (knee), defensive tackle Sam Kamara (concussion), and safety Juan Thornhill (calf) were also sidelined.

Key Matchups to Watch

1. Russell Wilson vs. Myles Garrett
   Wilson must contend with Garrett, who is capable of game-changing plays. Protecting the quarterback will be critical for Pittsburgh.
2. Jerry Jeudy vs. Steelers Secondary
   Jeudy’s explosiveness will test the Steelers’ defense, especially if Austin III remains limited.
3. James Winston vs. Turnovers
   Winston’s ability to limit interceptions will be a deciding factor for Cleveland.

What’s at Stake

For Pittsburgh, this game is an opportunity to solidify their division lead and maintain momentum as they eye the postseason. Meanwhile, Cleveland aims to play spoiler and end their two-decade-long road drought in Pittsburgh.

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Prediction

While Cleveland has shown flashes of brilliance, Pittsburgh’s consistency, home-field advantage, and defensive reinforcements give them the edge. Expect a hard-fought game, but the Steelers should prevail.

Final Score Prediction: Steelers 27, Browns 20