The Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers meet for a pivotal clash on Monday Night Football that has major playoff implications for the latter.
The Steelers are looking to keep their playoff hopes alive going into Week 18 against the Ravens while the Browns are officially out.
Both teams are fresh off losses, and in the Steelers’ case, their game against the Chiefs wasn’t even close. Kansas City jumped out to a 23-0 lead before halftime and was then able to ease to a 36-10 win.
Pittsburgh’s offense continued to struggle as that’s been a theme for that unit all season.
On the Browns’ side, they lost a heartbreaker to the Packers last Saturday. They were trailing most of the game and had a chance to win it at the very end before Baker Mayfield threw a game-sealing interception.
On second look, it looked like the turnover should’ve been overturned for pass interference, but it was still questionable for Cleveland to stop running the ball after the success Nick Chubb and co. had. The Browns finished with over 200 yards on the ground in defeat.
Let’s dive in to find the best Browns vs Steelers prop bets for this weekend’s clash.
Please note that all NFL gameday odds and lines are current as of 6:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 30.
Browns vs Steelers Prop Bets: NFL Week 17 Prop Betting Picks
First Team to Turnover: Browns (-114) at Caesars
I do not trust Mayfield, especially after what happened last Saturday against the Packers. He threw four interceptions, which was the main reason Cleveland went down.
The Steelers were the first to turn it over last week against the Chiefs, but this is a different team at home, compared to on the road. For starters, they’re 5-2-1 at home, and in those eight games, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has only thrown three interceptions.
Pittsburgh also only has 17 total fumbles this season, with the majority of them coming in its road games.
I like the Browns to be the first team to turn it over, which could end up being a big difference in the contest.
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First Scoring Play: Browns Field Goal (+350) at Caesars
I would go with the Steelers here, but they are putrid at starting games. In their last six games, their first-quarter point differential is -41.
Even worse, the Steelers have scored just nine first-half points and have allowed 114 over that span. They also haven’t scored a touchdown in the first half in over a month.
- Check out our full NFL Week 17 Browns vs Steelers Predictions & Picks
The Browns’ offensive problems have been well documented this season, but I still like them to strike first in this one, just like they did on Halloween against the Steelers.
This time though, they’ll open with a field goal and not a touchdown.
Steelers to Win by 1-6 Points (+295) at Caesars
Make no mistake, this is a game that both teams need to win, but I like Pittsburgh to take this one. This will also likely be Roethlisberger’s final regular-season game at Heinz Field as rumors have been swirling about his retirement.
There are still multiple ways this can go Cleveland’s way. Chubb is one of the best backs in football and the Steelers run defense has been putrid this season. They rank dead last in terms of opponent rushing yards per game with 142.7.
Pittsburgh will have to do what it did on Halloween against Chubb when he was limited to 61 yards on 16 carries.
As mentioned before, the Steelers’ offense has struggled mightily and if that continues in this game, the Browns can certainly take advantage,
Overall, Pittsburgh has always had Cleveland’s number in the Roethlisberger era and it should continue for one final game.
