The Steelers will get their shot at first place in the AFC North on Sunday, and the betting market is giving them a slight edge to do it. Pittsburgh opened as a 3.5-point favorite at home against Cleveland, with FanDuel Sportsbook setting the over/under at 39.5 and the Steelers moneyline at -198.
This matchup comes with some real history behind it. The Browns have taken the last two meetings, though both came in Cleveland and both were decided by one possession. Pittsburgh is trying to flip that script in the second meeting between these division rivals after dropping the first one in a game that went down to the wire.
At Acrisure Stadium, the Steelers have made life difficult for Cleveland for a long time. The Browns’ last regular-season win in Pittsburgh came in 2003, and that remains their only regular-season victory at Acrisure Stadium.
Pittsburgh has won 12 straight home games against Cleveland, while the Browns have lost five in a row in Cleveland. Overall, the Steelers still hold the series lead, 83-66-1.
The game figures to hinge on the ground game on both sides. Pittsburgh’s run defense has been one of the league’s better units, ranking seventh in the NFL with 91 rushing yards allowed per game and just four rushing touchdowns surrendered on the season. That unit will be tested by Quinshon Judkins, who returned from injury last week and topped 100 rushing yards against Tennessee.
Cleveland’s run defense has been more vulnerable, giving up 116.4 rushing yards per game and four touchdowns on the ground. For the Steelers, the clearest path is sticking with Jaylen Warren, who has the hot hand.
Rico Dowdle has also been involved, and the wide receiver injuries could keep both backs on the field together. Mike McCarthy appears eager to get back to a rotation at running back, which could shape how Pittsburgh attacks this one.
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