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

The Cleveland Browns have lost four in a row and seven of their last eight games coming into this weekend’s game with the Ravens.  The Browns lost 24-10 to the Ravens just three weeks ago.  The Ravens got whacked hard 34-14 last Sunday Night in San Diego by the Chargers.  The Ravens need this game, so don’t look for them to take it too easy this weekend against the Browns.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Browns have the ball:  The Browns are going to try to be balanced in this game.  Peyton Hillis will likely have a heavy workload tomorrow against a Ravens’ D that is only allowing 90.0 yards rushing and 3.4 yards per carry.  The Browns need Hillis to get his fair share of yards in an effort to slow the Ravens’ pass rush.  The Ravens have 45 sacks already this year and OLB Terrell Suggs (13 sacks), so they are going to be coming after Seneca Wallace.  The Ravens had trouble covering WRs last weekend, so look for Wallace to try to attack them down the field to Earl Little and Mohamed Massaquoi.

When the Ravens have the ball:  The Browns have to gang up and stop Ray Rice and Ricky Williams.  It won’t be easy.  Ray Rice rushed for 204 yards in the first meeting with the Browns.  The Ravens are going to be without WR Anquan Boldin in this game, but they still have guys to throw to.  Torrey Smith and Lee Evans have a lot of speed, so the Browns’ corners are going to get challenged.  The Browns better hope that DE Jabaal Sheard and the rest of the team can get a lot of pressure on Joe Flacco.

PREDICTION:  RAVENS 24, BROWNS 14

The Cleveland Browns have lost three games in a row and six of their last seven.  The Cardinals on the other hand, have won three games in a row and five of their last six games.  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 in this game.  They will likely spread the carries out between Peyton Hillis, Chris Ogbonnaya and Montario Hardesty (if he plays).  The Cardinals are giving up 117.2 yards rushing per game and 4.0 yards per carry, so the Browns could have some success running the ball tomorrow.  Seneca Wallace is starting at QB for the Browns tomorrow and maybe head coach Pat Shurmur will trust him more than Colt McCoy as far as throwing the ball down the field is concerned.  Evan Moore will be starting at TE tomorrow and I have a feeling he could have a big game against a Cardinals’ D that is allowing 242.8 yards passing per game so far this year.  It will be interesting to see if any of the WRs on the Browns step up with Wallace at QB.

When the Cardinals have the ball:  The Cardinals will likely be starting John Skelton at QB and he is really sloppy with the ball.  When he throws a bad pass, the Browns need to make him pay for it tomorrow.  Skelton does have a big time weapon in WR Larry Fitzgerald, so the Browns will likely stick CB Joe Haden on him and give help over the top with a safety.  Early Doucet is having a nice year opposite of Fitzgerald, so the Browns are going to have their hands full.  The front seven is going to have to find a way to slow down RB Beanie Wells as the Browns are giving up 150.9 yards rushing per game and 4.5 yards per carry so far this year.

PREDICTION:  CARDINALS 24, BROWNS 20

The Browns lost five of their last six games and 2 in a row.  The Steelers have a 3-game winning streak going and they have won 7 of their last 8 games.  The Steelers have beaten the Browns 20 of the last 22 times they have played, including 14 of the last 15.  The Browns’ lone win of the last 15 meeting came in 2009 in Cleveland.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Browns have the ball:  The Browns need to be very aggessive in the play calling tomorrow night if they are going to have any chance of competing in Pittsburgh.  The Browns need to throw the ball down the field and quit playing like they are in a 10-yard box.  If Colt McCoy has time to throw the ball tomorrow, which is unlikely, he could make some plays.  It all depends on the WRs of the Browns.  If they try to catch the ball tomorrow, they could make some plays as the Steelers’ corners are overrated.  Peyton Hillis will need to give the Browns balance on offense and it can be done as the Steelers are giving up 4.0 yards per carry.

When the Steelers have the ball:  This is going to sound crazy, but the Browns are going to have to stop the run and force Ben Roethlisberger to throw the ball with his broken right thumb.  That will be easier said than done, as the Browns are giving up 151.3 yards rushing per game and 4.4 yards per carry.  Rashard Mendenhall has not played that well this year, so maybe the Browns can slow him down tomorrow night.  The Browns will have to get a good pass rush on Ben Roethlisberger, because if he has time to throw the ball….he’s going to make some plays down the field to Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown.

PREDICTION:  STEELERS 30, BROWNS 13

The Browns broke a three game losing streak last weekend by beating the Jaguars 14-10 at home.  The Bengals on the other hand, lost their second game in a row last weekend.  The Bengals won the season opener between these two teams 27-17 in Cleveland.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Browns have the ball:  This might be the week that the Browns open up the offense a little bit.  The Bengals are giving up 222.5 yards passing per game and their top CB Leon Hall is out for the season.  With that in mind, the Browns should attack the Bengals down the field in this game.  If the Browns give Colt McCoy time to throw the ball, he should have success.  He should be looking down the field to get the ball to Greg Little, Mohamed Massaquoi, Josh Cribbs and little Jordan Norwood.  On the shorter stuff, TEs Ben Watson and Evan Moore will get the call.  The Bengals are only giving up 88.6 yards rushing per game and 3.4 yards per carry, so the Browns should keep the running game at a minimum this weekend.  Montario Hardesty is likely to start at RB over Chris Ogbonnaya this weekend and that’s probably not a good move.

When the Bengals have the ball:  The Bengals probably are going to tighten the chinstraps and try to run the ball down the Browns’ throat this Sunday.  The Browns are giving up 139.3 yards rushing per game and 4.3 yards per carry so far this year, so they are going to have to step up if they are going to step Bengals’ RB Cedric Benson.  The Bengals will be getting A.J. Green back and he caught the big pass that really hurt the Browns when he caught them sleeping in the first week of the season.  Joe Haden really shut him down except for that catch and he will be on him again in this game.  The Browns need to mount a pass rush on Dalton, because he has been making a lot of mistakes lately.

PREDICTION:  BENGALS 23, BROWNS 13

The Cleveland Browns’ season is going right down the commode as they have lost five of their last six games.  The Browns are only averaging 14.6 points per game so far this year.  The Jaguars got their first round win last weekend against the Colts (17-3).  They have won two of their last three games.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Browns have the ball:  The Browns need to start throwing more on first down and quit being so damn predictable on offense.  They will probably not listen to me and feed the ball to Chris Ogbonnaya and Montario Hardesty (if he plays) on early downs.  The Jaguars are giving up 107.1 yards rushing and 4.4 yards per carry so far this year, so maybe the Browns will have some success running the ball.  If the offensive line gives Colt McCoy time to throw the ball this Sunday, the Browns could have success throwing the ball.  WRs Earl Little, Josh Cribbs and TEs Ben Watson and Evan Moore should be able to get open against the Jags’ secondary….so the Browns should throw the ball down the field more this weekend.

When the Jaguars have the ball:  The Jaguars are going to run the ball with Maurice Jones-Drew at least 30 times this Sunday, so the Browns need to tighten up the chinstraps and step up.  If the Browns can slow the Jags’ running game down a bit and force rookie QB Blaine Gabbert to beat them through the air, the Browns will be in good shape.  Not one of the Jags’ WRs or TEs should scare the Browns’ secondary one bit as none of them are gamebreakers.

PREDICTION:  JAGUARS 17, BROWNS 13

The Browns have played better at home this year, where they are 2-2, so they might get back on the right track this weekend against the 1-7 Rams.  But it won’t be easy as the Rams have played better as of late.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Browns have the ball:  The Browns are going to have to try to get a running game going this weekend as the Rams are giving up 153.6 yards rushing per game and 5.2 yards per carry so far this year.  Chris Ogbonnaya, Thomas Clayton and maybe even Josh Cribbs will get shots to gash the Rams’ run D this Sunday.  The O-Line is going to have to keep Rams’ DE Chris Long (7 sacks) out of the backfield if Colt McCoy is going to get a chance to take advantage of the Rams’ D, which is allowing 222.3 yards passing per game.  Cribbs, Earl Little and Ben Watson will likely get most of the looks in the passing game for the Browns this weekend.

When the Rams have the ball:  The Rams are going to pound Steven Jackson at the Browns’ D, so they will need to stop him first before worrying about the passing game.  Rams’ QBs have been sacked 31 times already this year, so the Browns will have to get after Sam Bradford.  WR Greg Lloyd has been clearly the favorite target in the passing game for the Rams, so look for CB Joe Haden to try to lock up on him.  The rest of the Rams’ WRs and TEs aren’t too scary.

PREDICTION:  BROWNS 21, RAMS 20

The Cleveland Browns had another tough game last Sunday as they lost 20-10 at San Francisco.  The Texans are rolling again as they have won two games in a row by a combined score of 65-21!  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Browns have the ball:  The Cleveland Browns could be in some trouble this weekend against the Texans’ D.  That is because Chris Ogbonnaya will likely be starting at RB against his old team.  The Browns need to try to run the ball because the Texans are pretty good against the pass.  Colt McCoy needs to get rid of the ball quickly this week.  He needs his WRs, TEs and RBs to get a lot of yards after the catch.  Greg Little, Josh Cribbs and TEs Ben Watson and Evan Moore are going to have to have good games if the Browns are going to have any chance of pulling an upset this weekend.

When the Texans have the ball:  The Texans are expecting to have WR Andre Johnson back this weekend, so look for them to run a very balanced offense.  The front seven are going to have to slow down Arian Foster, and that’s not going to be easy as the Texans are averaging 141.9 yards rushing per game so far this year.  WRs Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter, Jacoby Jones and TEs Owen Daniels and Joel Dreessen will give the Browns’ secondary a lot to worry about in this game.  The Browns need to get to Matt Schaub, or they are in big trouble this weekend.

PREDICTION:  TEXANS 30, BROWNS 17

The Cleveland Browns are coming off a 6-3 win over the Seahawks, and they are going across the country to try to make it two in a row against the suddenly solid San Francisco 49ers.  The Niners have won four games in a row (three of those were on the road)!  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Browns have the ball:  The Browns should come out throwing the ball this Sunday.  Colt McCoy should be taking aim down the field against the weak secondary of the Niners as they are giving up 261.0 yards passing per game.  Greg Little, Josh Cribbs and Evan Moore are going to be his top targets.  RBs Montario Hardesty and Chris Ogbonnaya are going to have to fight for every yard they get against the Niners, as they are only giving up 74.7 yards rushing per game and 3.6 yards per carry so far this year.

When the Niners have the ball:  The 49ers like to play things close to the vest offensively.  They will likely feed the ball to Frank Gore , who will be the Browns’ first priority on defense.  Alex Smith has played solid this year for the Niners, but only when the running game is working.  The Browns are only giving up 172.0 yards passing per game so far this year (#1 in the NFL) and the Niners don’t have any WRs that scare anyone.  But, they like throwing the ball to their TEs (Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker), so the safeties are going to get challenged early and often in this game.

PREDICTION:  49ERS 20, BROWNS 17

This is going to be a battle between two teams with sub-par offenses and defenses, as neither team is very good.  The Browns have not beaten a team with a win yet this year (the Colts & Dolphins).  The Seahawks have won 2 of their last 3 games and they are coming off a bye week.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Browns have the ball:  The Seahawks have an outstanding run defense as they are only giving up 97.8 yards rushing per game and 3.1 yards per carry so far this year.  But, they give up 268.2 yards passing per game….so look for the Browns to air it out this Sunday offensively.  The Seahawks only have 8 sacks so far this year and they have trouble at corner, due to injuries.  With that in mind, look for Colt McCoy to feature his WRs in the passing game for the first time this year.  Earl Little, Mohamed Massaquoi and Josh Cribbs could be in line for big games this weekend.  TEs Ben Watson, Alex Smith and Evan Moore are going to be matched up with the best players on the Seahawks’ D (safeties Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas).  Montario Hardesty is going to be the main man in the running game for the Browns this weekend, so don’t expect much out of him.

When the Seahawks have the ball:  The Seahawks are leaning towards starting Charlie Whitehurst at QB, but it could still be Tarvaris Jackson (pectoral injury).  No matter who the Seahawks use at QB, Marshawn Lynch is likely going to get a lot of work.  The Browns need to key on him and make the Seahawks into a pass only team this weekend.  Seahawks’ QBs have been sacked 20 times already this year, so look for the Browns to probably blitz a little more than usual this Sunday.  It’s looking like CB Joe Haden is going to come back this weekend and the Browns really need him.  He would likely be matched up with Sidney Rice.  Undrafted rookie WR Doug Baldwin has come out of nowhere to boost the Seahawks’ passing game, but the Browns should be ready to deal with him.

PREDICTION:  BROWNS 21, SEAHAWKS 20