One of the NFL's greatest rivalries takes center stage on Sunday as the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Cleveland Browns with first place in the AFC North on the line. Both teams enter with 5-2 records, and the Browns currently lead the division thanks to their Week 4 victory over Pittsburgh.
The game kicks off at 1 p.m. ET at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It will be televised on CBS and streamed on Paramount+. The Steelers are favored by 3.5 points with an over/under of 39.5, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
In their last meeting, the Browns edged the Steelers 27-24 in Cleveland, marking their fifth consecutive win over Pittsburgh at home. Cleveland built a 21-7 lead before Pittsburgh rallied behind quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes to tie the game with 1:42 remaining. However, Deshaun Watson led a drive that set up Andre Szmyt's 56-yard game-winning field goal with 10 seconds left. Rodgers finished with 299 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. Jaylen Warren rushed for 93 yards, and DK Metcalf caught five passes for 115 yards. For Cleveland, rookie receivers Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion combined for nine catches and 153 yards.
Pittsburgh has won three straight since that loss, including a 16-10 victory over the New Orleans Saints in Paris last week — the first NFL game won in Paris. The Steelers' offensive line has improved, allowing nine sacks over the past three games compared to five in Week 4 alone. The running game has also benefited, especially with Rico Dowdle's return. Defensively, Pittsburgh ranks fifth in points allowed, fourth in touchdown passes allowed, sixth in yards per carry allowed, seventh in third-down efficiency, and eighth in red-zone efficiency since trading Joey Porter Jr. to Dallas. Linebacker Payton Wilson has been a standout, recording a key interception against the Saints.
Cleveland's offense showed signs of life in a win over the Tennessee Titans, amassing 491 total yards (308 passing, 183 rushing) despite two turnovers. The Browns' defense has been solid all season, but the key question remains whether Watson can perform against an elite defense.
Prediction: The Steelers hold advantages at quarterback and in the running game, which could exploit a Browns defense that ranks 22nd in yards per carry allowed. If Dowdle and Warren establish the ground game, it should open up the passing attack for Rodgers. Projected score: Steelers 20, Browns 16.
