Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: Odds, Analysis, NFL Betting Pick

The Pittsburgh Steelers owned a six-game winning streak in the rivalry with the Cleveland Browns coming into this season but could only manage a tie in the first meeting between the teams back in September.

Meanwhile, the Browns are 3-0-1 against the spread over the past four meetings in this series, keeping games close as underdogs. Can Cleveland do it again Sunday afternoon at Heinz Field?

NFL point spread: The Steelers opened as seven-point favorites; the total was 50.5 early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. Line updates and matchup report.

NFL betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 35.0-16.5 Steelers. NFL picks on every game.

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Why the Browns Can Cover the Spread

The Browns reached 2-2-1 on the season a couple of weeks ago but now hope to halt a two-game losing skid after falling at Tampa Bay last week 26-23 in overtime. Cleveland trailed the Buccaneers 16-2 at halftime and 23-9 through three quarters but tied the game at 23-23 on a Baker Mayfield touchdown pass with just over two minutes to go to force OT. Ultimately, the Browns lost it when the Bucs kicked a 59-yard field goal with less than two minutes left in the overtime.

On the day, Cleveland got beat on the stat sheet but won the turnover battle 4-1. Unfortunately, the Browns could only turn that advantage into seven points. Cleveland also failed twice on fourth downs, once at the Tampa 10-yard line and later from the Tampa 1-yard line.

The Browns are 2-1 ATS on the road this season and would be 3-0 if not for that botched game at Oakland a month ago.

Why the Steelers Can Cover the Spread

The Steelers are 2-0 both straight up and ATS their last two times out after beating the Bengals in Cincinnati two weeks ago 28-21. They then enjoyed last week off.

Pittsburgh trailed Cincinnati 7-0 early and then led 14-7 in the second quarter and 20-14 with just over three minutes to go. The Steelers then allowed the Bengals to drive to a go-ahead touchdown but won the game on a Ben Roethlisberger-to-Antonio Brown 31-yard pass-catch-run with just 10 seconds left on the clock.

On the day, Pittsburgh outgained Cincinnati 481-275, held a 26-19 edge in first downs and a 35/25 advantage in time of possession, in winning outright as a two-point dog.

Still playing without holdout Le'Veon Bell, the Steelers have now outrushed three of their last four opponents, going 3-1 both SU and ATS along the way.

Smart Betting Pick

These teams played a 21-21 tie back in Week 1, and the last four meetings in this rivalry have been decided by a total of 10 points. Pittsburgh may well extend its home winning streak against Cleveland to 15 in a row here, but smart money bets the Browns plus the points.

NFL Betting Trends

The Browns are 3-0 ATS in their past three games against the Steelers.

The total has gone over in three of the Browns' past four games against the Steelers.

The Steelers are 2-6 ATS in their past eight games in the early afternoon.

All NFL odds and betting trends according to Bleacher Report's official odds partner, OddsShark. Check out OddsShark on Twitter and Instagram or head to YouTube for more betting picks and analysis on this week's top games. You can also download the free odds tracker app.