Steelers vs Browns: AFC North Rivals Clash in Playoff Rematch

Steelers vs Browns: AFC North Rivals Clash in Playoff Rematch

By Michael Harrison

December 31, 2024 at 10:36 PM

The Pittsburgh Steelers (3-3) face off against the Cleveland Browns in a crucial AFC North rivalry game in Week Eight. The Browns enter as 3.5-point home favorites, with the over/under set at 42.5 points. This marks their first meeting since Cleveland eliminated Pittsburgh from the playoffs last season.

Cleveland (4-3) comes off a narrow 17-14 victory over Denver, ending a potential three-game slide. Despite injuries, they remain just one game back in the division. The Steelers, currently last in the AFC North, look to build on back-to-back wins over Denver and Seattle following their bye week.

Pittsburgh's offense has struggled this season, with Ben Roethlisberger showing decline and the run game averaging just 3.7 yards per carry. However, their defense remains solid, allowing only 22 points per game, though their run defense has shown some weakness.

The Browns face significant injury concerns, with Baker Mayfield, Nick Chubb, Jarvis Landry, and Odell Beckham all listed as questionable. Their typically strong offensive line is also dealing with injuries, which could impact their successful rushing attack. Cleveland's defense, led by Myles Garrett, showed improvement last week despite earlier struggles against the Chargers and Cardinals.

Given both teams' current situations, expect a defensive battle where Cleveland's rushing attack could provide a slight edge. The game's outcome may ultimately depend on how many of the Browns' injured players can suit up.

alt text

alt text

alt text

alt text

alt text

alt text

Related Articles

Previous Articles