The first-place Pittsburgh Steelers will try to stay hot when they head west for a date with the rival Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football in Week 12.
The Steelers (8-2) have won five straight, including a statement 18-16 win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. Pittsburgh is now one game back of the top-seeded Kansas City Chiefs and a half-game behind the No. 2 seed Buffalo Bills in the AFC.
The Browns (2-8) are again in turmoil, sitting in last place in the AFC North after dropping two straight and seven of eight. Cleveland allowed 473 yards to the offensively challenged New Orleans Saints and was outscored 21-0 in the fourth quarter of its 35-14 defeat in New Orleans on Sunday.
While the Browns have fallen out of the playoff race, the Steelers are tied for the ninth-best Super Bowl odds (+2100) at FanDuel Sportsbook heading into Week 12.
Not surprisingly, Pittsburgh enters this game as a road favorite, although the odds are closer than expected. Here’s how to bet on this critical AFC North rivalry showdown at our favorite NFL betting sites.
Game Details
- Matchup: Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns
- Date: Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 (Week 12)
- Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
- Location: Huntington Bank Field (Cleveland)
- Watch: Prime Video
Odds Summary
- Moneyline: Steelers -184, Browns +154
- Spread: Steelers -3.5 (-105), Browns +3.5 (-115)
- Total: Over/Under 36.5 (-115/-105)
Odds from FanDuel Sportsbook and subject to change.
Steelers vs Browns Moneyline
The Browns are a shell of themselves this year. However, they’re still capable of rising up and surprising an unsuspecting division rival.
Just ask the Ravens, who suffered a shocking 29-24 defeat in Cleveland last month when Browns backup quarterback Jameis Winston threw for 334 yards and three touchdowns.
Winston has been surprisingly effective since taking over for the injured Deshaun Watson, averaging 321.3 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception in his three starts.
The Steelers could be poised for a letdown in a short week on the road, especially against the Browns’ defense, which is only allowing 211 passing yards per game.
However, Cleveland’s defense is 24th in rushing yards allowed per game (131.7), which Pittsburgh’s’ run-heavy offense should exploit. The Steelers are eighth in rushing-yards per game (136.7), led by Najee Harris’ 708 yards.
Backing the Browns to win outright at home has some merit, as divisional games can be unpredictable. Winston has also been a big improvement over Watson under center, although his turnover issues could resurface against Pittsburgh’s ball-hawking secondary (11 interceptions – fifth in NFL).
The Steelers are the better team on both sides of the ball, so take Pittsburgh to win a potentially close game in primetime.
Steelers vs Browns Spread
We like the Steelers to hang on and win a close one, but Browns +3.5 is too good not to take.
Pittsburgh is 8-2 overall but 6-4 against a -3.5 spread. The Steelers are just 3-2 on the road against that number, and their last two wins have come by a combined three points.
For all of its struggles this year, Cleveland is still capable of putting up a fight. Four of the Browns’ eight losses have come by one possession.
Pittsburgh failed to score a touchdown last week, so its offense may not score enough to win by more than a field goal. Give us the points with Cleveland at home.
Steelers vs Browns Over/Under
This total is comically low – one of the lowest in the NFL this season.
Still, it’s not unreasonable. There have been 36-plus points in only six of Pittsburgh’s 10 games, while Cleveland’s offense is 31st in points per game (16.2).
That said, the Under leaves no wiggle room for two offenses that are trending up. The Over is 2-1 in Winston’s three starts and 4-1 during the Steelers’ five-game winning streak.
Both teams have played better since changing quarterbacks last month, as the Browns are averaging 17.7 points per game in Winston’s three starts and Pittsburgh is averaging 27.3 points per game with Russell Wilson under center.
With Harris and a healthy Nick Chubb, both teams have potent ground games as well. Accordingly, this game should hit the Over fairly easily, especially with Cleveland surrendering 24.8 points per game (24th in NFL).
Steelers vs Browns Props
Nick Chubb Anytime Touchdown Scorer (+155)
Chubb only has one touchdown in four games this season, but it’s not for a lack of trying. Volume hasn’t been an issue for him, as he’s averaging just under 14 touches per game.
Look for the Browns to lean on him in what should be a close, low-scoring game. He’s also a good bet to exploit the Steelers’ run defense, which has allowed four rushing touchdowns in their last two games.
David Njoku (+370) and Jerome Ford (+550) are also compelling options to score for Cleveland, but the game script should be favorable enough for Chubb to find the end zone this week.
Jaylen Warren Over 52.5 Rushing + Receiving Yards (-114)
Warren’s been more involved in the Steelers’ offense with Wilson under center, hitting the Over on this prop line in four straight games. He’s also topped 20 receiving yards in consecutive games and is getting more work in the passing game.
If Harris has trouble getting uncorked, Pittsburgh could turn to Warren, who’s topped 40 rushing yards in four straight games. The Browns’ defense has been getting gashed on the ground lately, making this a good matchup for him.
Steelers vs. Browns Best Bets Summary
- Moneyline: Steelers (-184). The Steelers are rolling and should be able to take care of business on the road against an inferior opponent.
- Spread: Browns +3.5 (-115). That hook could be the difference in a game that may be decided by a field goal.
- Over/Under: Over 36.5 (-115). This is a really low bar to clear, and both offenses have been better since changing quarterbacks last month.
- Nick Chubb Anytime Touchdown Scorer (+155). Chubb has the shortest TD odds of any Browns player this week and could find his way into the end zone.
- Jaylen Warren Over 52.5 Rushing + Receiving Yards (-114). Warren’s been more involved in Pittsburgh’s offense since Wilson took over at quarterback and should be busy against Cleveland’s porous defense.
