Steelers (12-3) at Browns (10-5)
Sunday, 1 ET, FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland
TV: CBS
Danny Sheridan’s line:
Browns by 7
Steelers’ keys to victory: Pittsburgh has veered from playing fundamentally sound football lately. QB Ben Roethlisberger must continue to deliver crisp passes, and WRs Diontae Johnson and JuJu Smith-Schuster need to hold on to the ball. The Browns’ defense struggles covering down the field, so there are shots to take if the O-line can stop Browns DE Myles Garrett from impacting the game. The defense needs to make the Browns one-dimensional and prevent the big play on the ground.
Browns’ keys to victory: The Browns must remember they are playing just Week 17 and not replaying the series of bad losses to the Steelers over recent years. Coach Kevin Stefanski has done a great job of focusing the team on going 1-0 and nothing more. QB Baker Mayfield and the rollout passing game have been keys, and his ability to hit targets like WR Jarvis Landry and TE Austin Hooper in rhythm must be sharp. CB Denzel Ward and the secondary must tackle well.
Matchup to watch: Browns RT Jack Conklin vs. Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt. Conklin has been very reliable in the run and pass game, but Watt is a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year. Watt can ruin the Browns’ rhythm passing game, and it falls on Conklin to stop him.
Who wins: The Steelers have clinched the AFC North while the Browns are playing for their postseason lives. Provided Cleveland gets back several key players from the reserve/COVID-19 list, the extra incentive to win should carry the Browns.
Browns 27-21