Pittsburgh (8-2) is set to take on Cleveland (2-8) this Thursday at 8 p.m. EST, with the game available for streaming on Amazon Prime.
The current odds from BetMGM favor the Steelers by 3 1/2 points.
In terms of performance against the spread, Pittsburgh boasts an impressive 8-2 record, while Cleveland struggles at 3-7.
Historically, the Steelers hold a lead in the rivalry with a series record of 79-62-1.
The last matchup saw Cleveland come out on top, winning 13-10 on November 19, 2023, at home.
In their recent outings, the Steelers secured a close victory against the Ravens, winning 18-16, whereas the Browns faced a tough loss against the Saints, falling 35-14.
Examining offensive stats, the Steelers rank 19th overall while excelling in the rushing game, holding the 8th spot, but struggle in passing at 28th and scoring at 14th.
On the defensive side, Pittsburgh shines as the 8th overall defense, ranking 4th against the run, 19th in pass defense, and 2nd in scoring defense.
In contrast, the Browns’ offense sits at 27th overall, struggling particularly in rushing (29th) while maintaining a moderate passing rank (20th) and a low scoring rank (31st).
Defensively, Cleveland ranks 19th overall, with a weak run defense (24th) and a slightly better pass defense (17th), but they rank 24th in terms of scoring defense.
Turnover differential also tells a story: the Steelers sit at a positive plus-11, while the Browns are at a negative minus-5.
One key player for the Steelers to watch is wide receiver George Pickens.
Since the arrival of quarterback Russell Wilson, Pickens has emerged as a crucial target, having set a season-high with 12 targets and eight receptions last week against Baltimore.
With 48 catches this season, he has outperformed the next four receivers combined, who have a total of 35 catches.
On the Browns’ side, running back Nick Chubb will provide a point of focus, making his return to the field against Pittsburgh after a devastating knee injury from the previous encounter last season.
Chubb had a modest 50 rushing yards in his last game, but his play has been limited as the team manages his recovery following surgery on his knee.
A critical matchup to watch will be between Steelers linebacker/edge rusher T.J. Watt and Browns right tackle Jack Conklin.
Watt continues to be a force for Pittsburgh with 7.5 sacks and impressive defensive stats, while Conklin will likely face challenges keeping quarterback Jameis Winston protected with Watt’s relentless pressure.
Regarding injuries, the Steelers will be without outside linebacker Alex Highsmith for the second consecutive game due to an ankle issue, with Nick Herbig stepping in.
For Cleveland, notable absences include left tackle Dawand Jones, who is out for the season after a leg injury, and Jedrick Wills Jr., who is also sidelined with a knee issue, leading to Germain Ifedi starting as a replacement.
Recent history shows a more competitive rivalry, with the Steelers having dominated the matchup for many years.
Cleveland has emerged stronger lately, winning their last eight Thursday night home games and is riding a six-game Thursday night win streak overall.
Statistics reveal that Pittsburgh has maintained a five-game winning streak, aided by Wilson’s performance since taking over as starter.
However, the Steelers have had struggles in their recent road games against Cleveland, holding a 0-3 record on Thursday nights against them since 2019.
Pittsburgh has an all-time favorable record against quarterbacks who were first overall draft picks, and they just need one more win this season to ensure a non-losing record, continuing a streak that has extended for 21 years under coach Mike Tomlin.
Notably, Watt has a strong history against Cleveland with 17 career sacks against them.
Special teams’ player Chris Boswell has been reliable this season, often contributing significantly since the offense has struggled in the red zone, with only a 44.4% touchdown rate.
Defensively, the Steelers shine after halftime, allowing the least points in the latter half at just 6.4 per game.
For the Browns, head coach Kevin Stefanski’s job security remains uncertain despite a prior Coach of the Year win, as he navigates a difficult stretch.
Winston will aim to continue his improvement after a solid performance against the Saints, marking his first matchup against the Steelers.
Chubb has accumulated notable stats against Pittsburgh, and the rivalry will be further fueled by the competition between Watt and Browns defensive star Myles Garrett.
In terms of fantasy advice, while Pickens may seem like a strong play, facing the formidable cornerback Denzel Ward may make Najee Harris a better option, given his strong performance against the Browns previously.