NFL picks and predictions, Steelers vs. Browns 2014: Cleveland aims for key divisional win
After the largest road comeback in NFL history, the Browns look to make it stick against their longtime rival.
Andy Lyons
Steelers vs. Browns
Few rivalries have more passion between the fans but less juice on the field in recent years than the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns. While the two teams don't share a state, they do share the Ohio-Pennsylvania border and a healthy amount of discontent for the other. However, the Browns have not been much threat to the Steelers since rejoining the NFL in 1999, only making the playoffs once in that span. When Cleveland did make the playoffs in 2002, it lost to Pittsburgh.
This year the worm could be turning. Both AFC North teams enter with two losses, although the Steelers do have one more win. This is the second of two matchups between the teams this year, having already met Week 1 at Heinz Field. On that day, Ben Roethlisberger guided the Steelers to a 27-3 halftime lead before the Browns reeled off 24 consecutive points, only to lose on a Shaun Suisham field goal as time expired.
Pittsburgh has struggled lately, losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers two weeks ago at home before sneaking away with a victory over the horrific Jacksonville Jaguars. Meanwhile, the Browns had a bye week before trailing the Tennessee Titans 28-3 in the second quarter. Then Cleveland scored 26 unanswered points to rally for an improbable victory.
The win made an impression on the experts at ESPN.com, with nine of the 13 men believing in the Browns. Some still need to be made believers, with just two of eight predictions siding with Cleveland over at CBS Sports. The folks over at USA Today are showing a split-decision, with four of seven analysts picking the Steelers to earn a road win.
Our guys at SB Nation would generally be welcome in the Dawg Pound, with five of our seven experts seeing a victory for Cleveland. Only Stephen White and Joel Thorman think the black and gold will find a way to improve to 4-2 in the tough AFC North.
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