WagerTalk NFL handicapper Tony Mejia offers his Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Week 8 betting preview. At the time of posting, the Browns are a -3.5 home favorites over the Steelers in this AFC North showdown with the total sitting at 42.5 points.<\/p>\n
Stay on top of the latest NFL<\/a> updates direct from Las Vegas!<\/em><\/p>\n Either the Steelers or Browns will be bringing up the rear in the AFC North following the conclusion of their Week 8 matchup. Meanwhile, the winner will be in good shape, sitting above .500 as we approach the season\u2019s halfway point.<\/p>\n Even with a 17th game to fall back on, no one wants a fourth loss this early, especially with the Chiefs likely to rally after starting 3-4.<\/p>\n Cleveland was able to survive last week\u2019s Thursday night contest against the Broncos, riding a decent performance from Case Keenum, who was pinch-hitting for an injured Baker Mayfield. Keenum threw for 199 yards and a touchdown in the 17-14 victory over Denver but it\u2019s looking increasingly likely that Mayfield will suit up and play through a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder after sitting out a week to rest an ailment that has been bothering him since Week 2.<\/p>\n If he can keep the inflammation down, expect Mayfield to line up under center in a game that\u2019s even more important since it\u2019s the Browns\u2019 third straight game at home and they\u2019ve already dropped the first of the bunch, becoming Arizona\u2019s sixth victim during its 7-0 start that it will look to extend against Green Bay on Thursday.<\/p>\n Cleveland is 3-1 at home and will spend November mostly on the road as it will play at Cincinnati, New England and Baltimore over a four-week span. Picking up a victory over a divisional rival at home is always crucial, especially since the AFC North is as competitive as it has ever been with the Bengals rising up and the Ravens thinking Super Bowl.<\/p>\n Pittsburgh is getting 3.5 points at most shops, although you will likely be able to find 4 or more once Mayfield suiting up and playing becomes official. The Steelers are the much healthier team and are coming out of their bye week following home wins over the Broncos and Seahawks.<\/p>\n Although Russell Wilson didn\u2019t play, Seattle nevertheless rallied behind Geno Smith, forcing overtime on the final play of regulation. Smith was then sacked by T.J. Watt, who forced a fumble that Devin Bush recovered, setting up Chris Boswell\u2019s game-winning field goal in OT. Not dropping that game certainly made for a more pleasant bye week and came at a fortunate time since Ben Roethlisberger was dealing with shoulder, hip and pectoral injuries. At 39 years old, he\u2019s not quite the healer he once was but reported feeling much better despite being limited at practice on Wednesday.<\/p>\n Linebacker Melvin Ingram III did pop up on the injury report with a groin issue but he and WR Chase Claypool (hamstring) are likely to be in the mix. Pittsburgh did lose WR JuJu Smith-Schuster for the season after he was forced to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery earlier this month. Tight end Pat Freiermuth was utilized heavily as a short-term fix to losing Smith-Schuster and should continue to see heavier usage.<\/p>\n In addition to Mayfield\u2019s status being in doubt, the Browns are also awaiting word on whether RB Nick Chubb can return from a calf injury that has kept him out the past two games. With Kareem Hunt out for the season due to his own calf issue, D\u2019Ernest Johnson stepped up and starred with 146 rushing yards on 22 carries, scoring his first career touchdown. Johnson, a third-year back from South Florida, should have a role moving forward even if Chubb returns.<\/p>\n Receivers Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry and Donovan Peoples-Jones are all nursing injuries but hope to play Sunday. Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, DT Malik Jackson and corner Denzel Ward also didn\u2019t practice on Wednesday, leaving their status in doubt. The oft-injured Greedy Williams will be tasked with starting at corner alongside Greg Newsome and has been playing at a high level.<\/p>\n Cleveland proved to be resilient against the Broncos and will need players to step up or continue playing through all their injury concerns since their bye week doesn\u2019t roll around until the first weekend in December. Since Mayfield and Chubb are expected to play after being sidelined in Week 7, public money should continue to drive this number at.<\/p>\n The total has been bet down to 42.5 from 45 and there are even some 42\u2019s popping up out there. The \u2018under\u2019 has gone 4-1-1 in Steelers games this season and has prevailed in three of the last five involving the Browns, so it\u2019s not stunning that most of the early betting have come in on the low side. Rain is set to be in the forecast in Cleveland all week but may not be a part of Sunday\u2019s equation. Wind gusts are expected to play a role, so we may indeed see a low-scoring affair.<\/p>\n Cleveland won the last two meetings with Pittsburgh, the most recent of which was Jan. 10 in the AFC Wild Card round. The Steelers won the first regular season matchup last October, extending their run of dominance over the Browns to 35-5-1 since 2000. The Browns then swept Pittsburgh with a Week 17 triumph before a 48-37 conquest in the playoffs. The fact the Browns have now won three of their last five matchups against the Steelers makes this the most successful five-game run they\u2019ve had against the Black & Gold since 1991-93.<\/p>\n Even at home, it\u2019s hard to lay points given the series history and the health disparity of both of these teams. Coming off its bye, this is a good spot to play Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n \ud83c\udfc8How does the #NFL<\/a> Week 8 slate look thru the eyes of the oddsmaker? On this morning’s edition of WagerTalk Today, @SportsbkConsig<\/a> shared his thoughts on the NFL betting market and where the money will flow. \u2014 WagerTalk (@WagerTalk) October 26, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nCleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers Predictions<\/h3>\n
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