Browns vs. Steelers Prediction
Despite differing results when it comes to franchise success, the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers have played a number of close matchups in recent meetings. Will that trend continue today at 1PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
253 Cleveland Browns at 254 Pittsburgh Steelers
Sunday, October 28, 2018
1PM ET – Heinz Field
TV: CBS
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Steelers are favored at home, as they are getting odds of -8 points against the Browns. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 48.5 points. The public betting for this game currently has 66 percent going on the Steelers at home. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NFL Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Steelers heating up
The Steelers are coming off a bye, but had won back-to-back games prior to that with wins over the Falcons at home and at Cincinnati. Pittsburgh is 3-2-1 on the season, 3-3 against the spread and 4-2 with the over. The Steelers have covered the spread in three of their last four games.
Pittsburgh is putting up 28.5 points and 427.5 yards per game this season thanks to one of the best passing attacks in the NFL. Pitt is averaging 338.8 yards per game through the air. Ben Roethlisberger has thrown for 2,033 yards and 12 touchdowns with six interceptions while JuJu Smith-Schuster has caught 42 passes for 561 yards and two scores. The Pitt run game is lacking as Le’Veon Bell continues to sit out. James Conner is the team’s leading rusher with 453 yards and seven touchdowns. Defensively, Pittsburgh is allowing 25.7 points and 403 yards per game. Their pass defense is giving up 305.2 yards per contest.
Browns drop another
The Browns played their fourth OT game of the season last week, suffering a 26-23 loss at Tampa. Cleveland is now 2-4-1 on the season, 5-2 against the spread and 4-3 with the over. The Browns did play the Steelers to a 21-21 tie in the season opener.
Cleveland has been struggling on defense again this year, allowing 25.3 points and 429.3 yards per contest. The Browns are giving up nearly 300 passing yards per game. On offense, Cleveland is putting up 21.6 points and 385.4 yards per contest. Rookie Baker Mayfield has thrown for 1,291 yards and six touchdowns with five interceptions. He has been sacked 18 times as well. The team traded Carlos Hyde last week to Jacksonville and are turning to rookie Nick Chubb to be the lead back. He has 253 rushing yards with three touchdowns.
NFL Betting Trends
Pittsburgh
The Steelers have covered the spread in five straight games in October, but are just 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games on grass.
Cleveland
The Browns are 4-14-1 against the spread in their last 19 division games and 11-23-1 ATS in their last 35 conference contests.
Prediction:
The Browns have made this series competitive the last two years. Cleveland is 3-0-1 against the spread in the last four meetings. Outside of a lopsided loss to the Chargers, the Browns have had all the rest of their games decided by four points or less. Pittsburgh is playing well, but the Steelers still have exploitable flaws. I look for Cleveland to make this game competitive once again. Give me the points.
NFL Prediction: Cleveland Browns +8
Related: Browns vs. Steelers Total Prediction