Steelers -14 vs. Browns
Seems like too many points for such a bitter rivalry, at least to this fan of the NFL. I like to think the Browns – Steelers is an annual war. Sure, I think like a 12 year old. This is just another game.
The Steelers have been favored by more than 13.5 just 3 times since ’89, and it’s always the same line. Steelers -14.
Steel is 1-2 ATS in these games with the average score being 23.3 to 13.3.
The total for this one is 39? 40? No snow? No weather in play? The temperature will be in the 30′s but no snow.
Teams getting more than 10 on a Thursday night? 1-10-1 ATS Not looking good for the Browns.
Great teams usually pound the teams like these Browns. Are the Steelers a great team? I don’t think they are, but they do know how to win games. Teams that are .700 or better through at least 7 games and favored by more than 13 in a divisional non-Sunday game? 4-1 ATS with an average score of 30-8. That sounds about right for the Browns total. I just wonder how many the Steelers will score. They had an easy week last week with everything going their way despite not playing all that well. Maybe a bit of a flat spot last week, and their level of play doesn’t need to elevate in order to win this game either. They can coast to victory and fail to cover.
Last Thursday most people had the Eagles and the Seahawks pulled off the big upset. It’s the Eagles. Whatever. Dog.
Then on Monday night most people had the Chargers and a cover over Jax. Fav.
Is it time for the dog again?
It’s not like this great rivalry had been producing close games. I looked up how often the Steelers actually beat the Browns by more than 14. It’s happened 11 times since ’89. Roughly once every two years. Perhaps this is the Browns year to not get beat by more than 14 because the Steelers won by 18 and 32 in 2010.
It may be the dog’s turn again this week, but I’m going with the Steelers anyway.
