It might be Week 17 in the NFL, but there are still plenty of NFL betting matchups that matter, including an AFC North battle between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns.
Not only are the Browns looking to win and end the NFL's longest active playoff drought, but they'll get to do it against Mason Rudolph in a heated rematch of last year's infamous helmet-gate.
The Browns are installed as 9.5-point home favorites with the Over/Under set at 43.
We break down the NFL odds with our best picks and predictions for the Steelers vs Browns on Sunday, January 3, with kickoff at 1 p.m. ET.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns Betting Preview
Weather
It's expected to be a cool but clear afternoon at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, with temperatures in the high-30s and winds reaching up to 9 miles per hour. Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our NFL weather info.
Key Injuries
Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger QB (Out), Chris Boswell K (Out), Joe Haden CB (Out), T.J. Watt LB (Out), Maurkice Pouncey C (Out), Cameron Heyward DE (Out), Terrell Edmunds S (Out).
Browns: Malcolm Smith LB (Out), Harrison Bryant TE (Out), B.J. Goodson LB (Out), Andrew Sendejo S (Out).
Find our latest NFL injury reports.
Betting Trend to Know
The Under is 6-1 in the last seven meetings in Cleveland between these AFC North rivals. Find more NFL betting trends for Steelers vs. Browns.
Against the Spread (ATS) Pick
Despite a 10-5 record, the Browns need a win to guarantee themselves a spot in the postseason following their upset loss against the Jets in Week 16. Luckily for them, the Steelers won't resemble the squad that crushed them by 31 points earlier this year.
On Tuesday, Mike Tomlin confirmed that backup quarterback Mason Rudolph would start instead of Ben Roethlisberger, and Big Ben won't be the only player rested with Pittsburgh's playoff position secure.
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has reported that other starters who will sit out include Defensive Player of the Year favorite T.J. Watt, and Pro Bowlers Cam Heyward and Maurkice Pouncey.
Nobody will be happier to see Rudolph than Browns Pro Bowl defensive end Myles Garrett, whose tussle and helmet swing against the Steelers QB last year resulted in a season-ending suspension. Garrett and the Browns defense will look to shut down a Steelers offense that has been the worst in the league at running the ball – and hasn't been able to pass lately either.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has struggled against the run recently, surrendering 127.7 rushing yards per game over their last three contests, and will have to deal with a Cleveland attack that piles up 145.5 ypg on the ground.
With the home team 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings between these division rivals, and the Steelers 0-3-1 ATS in their previous four Week 17 contests, bet on Pittsburgh to roll over in the season finale.
PREDICTION: Cleveland -9.5 (-110)
Over/Under Pick
It's been a stark turnaround for the Browns defense midway through this season. After their first seven games of the year, Cleveland ranked 29th in the league with 31.6 points per game allowed, but over their last eight contests, they've allowed just 22.1 ppg.
Now they face a Pittsburgh offense that has struggled in recent weeks and will now be starting their backup QB.
Although the Steelers may rest several starters on the defensive side of the ball, this is a well-coached unit that ranks second in the league in both total defense and scoring defense, so we're not expecting their stop-unit to completely fall apart.
The Under is 5-2-1 in the Steelers' last eight games while the Browns have cashed the Under as a favorite in five of their previous six contests. Back the Under again.
PREDICTION: Under 43 (-110)
Player Prop Pick
The Browns have a terrific running back duo with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Although Hunt was expected to be the primary receiver out of the backfield, Chubb has gotten more looks from Baker Mayfield in recent weeks.
After registering just three catches for 17 yards through his first six games of the season, Chubb has 13 catches for 133 yards in the last five contests.
Chubb is coming off a game where he was targeted five times in the passing game for a season-high 38 yards. He now has at least 16 yards receiving in five straight games and with the Over/Under for his receiving yards total set at just 9.5, take the Over.
PREDICTION: Nick Chubb receiving yards Over 9.5 (-120)
Steelers vs Browns Betting Card
- Cleveland -9.5 (-110)
- Under 43 (-110)
- Nick Chubb receiving yards Over 9.5 (-120)
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