The Ravens (5-2) are coming off their worst loss in 5 years, but they have had the Browns’ number in the last few seasons. However, the Browns (2-6) have won 2 of their last 2 games and in their last couple of games they have really stepped up on defense.
The Bengals (3-2) offense really struggled last week in a surprising loss to the Dolphins, but there is a good chance they will get back on track facing the winless Browns (0-6).
The Ravens got over their tough 1-point loss to the Eagles with a solid win over the Patriots in their last game and now face a winless Browns’ team that is struggling on both sides of the ball.
The Bills are coming off their first win of the season where they looked solid on both sides of the ball.
The Steelers and the Ravens have pretty even odds to win the AFC North this season, but can the young and upstart Bengals improve upon last season’s playoff appearance and can Brandon Weeden give the Browns a legit QB. Which they have sorely missed for a long time?
It has been a season to forget for the Cleveland Browns. The Browns have lost eight of their last nine games. Pittsburgh still has a shot at home field advantage in the playoffs, but they must win this game.
The Steelers have won 9 of the last 10 meetings between these two rivals.
Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4) vs. Cleveland Browns (4-11)
Time/Date: 4:15 PM EST, January 1, 2012
Venue: Cleveland Browns Stadium
Broadcast: CBS
Steelers vs. Browns Gambling Odds from 5Dimes
Spread: Steelers -7
Moneyline: Off
Over/Under: 36
The Browns would love nothing more than to end the season by hurting their hated rivals playoff positioning. Don’t expect Cleveland to roll over in this one.
Ben Roethlisberger didn’t play in last week’s game against the Rams, but he is expected to return for this regular season finale. Big Ben has thrown 21 touchdowns and 14 interceptions so far this season. He will certainly be a bit gimpy due to his sprained ankle, but he has shown the ability to fight through injury plenty of times before. Rashard Mendenhall had one of his best games of the year last week against St. Louis. Mendenhall averaged 6.4 yards per carry last week. Mike Wallace is one of the best deep threats in the NFL. Pittsburgh has four players with at least 41 receptions this year. The Steelers average 20.8 points per game.
Pittsburgh’s defense continues to be the main reason this team is such a dominant force. The front seven is the best in the league. James Harrison, Lamarr Woodley, James Farrior, and Lawrence Timmons are beasts in the 3-4 defense of Dick LeBeau. Woodley is listed as doubtful for this one, but Jason Worilds is a very good replacement. The secondary is tremendous, and it all starts with free safety Troy Polamalu. This defense has no real weakness. Pittsburgh allows just 14.5 points per contest. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Cleveland’s offense has been lacking explosiveness all season long. Colt McCoy has improved in his second year as the starter, but he is listed as questionable for this one due to a concussion suffered last time these teams met. Peyton Hillis hasn’t had a good season overall, but his last two games have been much better. Hillis ran for 99 yards two weeks ago and 112 last week against the tough Ravens defense. The Browns need a big game from Hillis to have any chance in this game. Greg Little has been the most consistent receiver for this team, but they are lacking a big play maker on the outside. Cleveland is averaging a miserable 13.9 points per game.
The Browns defense has actually been very good this year. Cleveland has had a lot of close games because this unit has held the opposition down even when the Browns offense is doing almost nothing. The primary reason for the big improvement on defense is the talented secondary. Joe Haden has an amazing 19 pass deflections this year. Haden is the young leader of this talented secondary. Cleveland has struggled against power running teams. Overall, the Browns are giving up just 19.6 points per game this year.
The Browns will fight hard in this one, but they are overmatched. Pittsburgh has plenty of incentive to be playing hard all the way in this one. Expect Pittsburgh to cover here.
NFL Free Pick: Steelers -7
Two surprisingly competitive AFC North teams do battle on Sunday as the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals hope to keep their playoff hopes alive (for the Browns chances are slim).
The Seattle Seahawks return from their bye this week in search of their third win in four games when they travel East to take on a Cleveland Browns team that is certainly improved but has lost two straight games.
The 2011-2012 NFL season is looming but unfortunately so is the unfortunate Lockout. The eternal optimist that I am, I have compiled odds and predictions for each division in the knowledge that the owners and the players cannot be as ridiculous as they look.
Here we go with today’s sports water cooler talk. Here, you won’t just find the straight news; you’ll find the stuff everyone is talking about – the ice breakers, the Twitter Sports Picks and topics…well, basically all the stuff you discuss at the water cooler.
Week 13 of the 2010 NFL Season is here. Welcome to the CappersPicks.com NFL football weekly predictions pages! We KNOW you will find our FREE weekly NFL football picks, tips, betting advice, strategies, NFL gambling articles and more to help you become the best NFL football bettor on your block!!
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Welcome to the CappersPicks.com Week 2 NFL football predictions! We KNOW you will find our FREE weekly NFL football picks, tips, betting advice, strategies, NFL Football gambling articles and more to help you become the best NFL football bettor on your block!!
Week 2 of the NFL Season is here. Welcome to the CappersPicks.com NFL football weekly predictions pages! We KNOW you will find our FREE weekly NFL football picks, tips, betting advice, strategies, NFL gambling articles and more to help you become the best NFL football bettor on your block!!
With NFL football just a short time away, Cappers Picks Football handicappers have been hard at work putting out the team by team NFL previews for those of us who can’t wait. Bet on the Super Bowl winner, plus Conference and Divisional winners.
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