Bovada has recently updated its futures odds to win each division for the upcoming NFL regular season. As part of an ongoing series for Cappers Picks, this time around we are going to take a closer look at the four teams vying for the 2013 division title in the AFC North.
The Tennessee Titans come into this game at 1-4, but even that doesn’t tell how badly the team has played this year. All of the Titans four losses have come by at least 21 points.
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?
The Pittsburgh Steelers head to the Mile High City on Sunday to take on a suddenly struggling Denver Broncos team that has already exceeded all expectations.
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
The Pittsburgh Steelers blew an incredible opportunity to get a leg up in the AFC North last Monday but failed to show up in San Francisco.
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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.
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