Cleveland Browns (4-11) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4)
This is like a mini Super Bowl for the Browns. They have a chance to really screw things up for the Steelers if they play injured players like Ben Roethlisberger, Maurkice Pouncey and LaMarr Woodley. The Browns could take a page from the Steelers’ book and play dirty with James Harrison’s knees being their first target. The Browns have lost five games in a row. The Steelers have won five of their last six games including a win over the Browns just three weeks ago, 14-3 in Pittsburgh. Here is a look at the matchups in this game:
When the Browns have the ball: The Browns are likely going to come out running the ball with Peyton Hillis in this game. The Steelers are giving up 101.7 yards rushing per game and 4.1 yards per carry so far this year, so the Browns could have success on the ground. I also look for the Browns to get Josh Cribbs heavily involved in this game running, catching and maybe even throwing the ball this Sunday. Seneca Wallace has been efficient in the last couple of games. If Wallace has time to throw the ball, he’s likely going to make some plays down the field to WR Earl Little and TE Evan Moore.
When the Steelers have the ball: The Steelers are likely to come out running the ball with Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman against a Browns’ D that is giving up 146.5 yards rushing per game and 4.4 yards per carry so far this year. If the front seven can slow the Steelers’ running game, they can force a gimpy Ben Roethlisberger or an ancient Charlie Batch to have to beat them with their right arms. The Browns will likely take a few shots on Big Ben, so he might not last long in this game. But, the Steelers have solid WRs in Antonio Brown, Mike Wallace and TE Heath Miller, no matter who plays QB.
PREDICTION: STEELERS 20, BROWNS 17
