Browns Vs. Steelers – Week 1 Prediction
It is prediction time. If you read our 2014 Cleveland Browns Season Preview (New Window) you already know who we expect to win. If not you can read through what we expect to happen in the game or skip down to the bottom for the score prediction. Here is what we predict for Browns Vs. Steelers:
Game Summary
The Cleveland Browns surprised the Pittsburgh Steelers with an early score on a wide receiver screen to Travis Benjamin. The Browns lined up, after getting a first down on their first series, in a run heavy formation only to hit Benjamin on a screen after a quick play action fake. Steelers corner Ike Taylor was beat back to the outside by the speedy Benjamin and, with the Steelers safeties pulled in by the run fake, Benjamin took it to the house.
The game steadied after that into a AFC North slugfest. The Steelers struggled to get much offense going. The running game couldn’t get untracked outside of a 12 yard Le’Veon Bell run on 3rd and 1. The Steelers settled for a field goal on that drive. The teams went into half with the Browns up 10 – 3 after a long Billy Cundiff field goal with time expiring in the second quarter.
The Steelers tied the game on their first possession of the second half. A methodical drive ended with a Health Miller touchdown between Craig Robertson and Tashaun Gipson in the redzone. The Browns answered with a field goal of their own, with a long gain by Jordan Cameron on a post route, and a solid running game leading the charge.
The fourth quarter was an exchange of punts before the Steelers tied the game back up when the Browns were able to hold on a 3rd and goal.
Brian Hoyer led the Browns to a long touchdown drive, but left enough time on the clock. A big screen pass to Ben Tate, who out-muscled Ryan Shazier near the line of scrimmage, gave the Browns good field position. Cameron was again the beneficiary, after a contested defensive pass interference call got the Browns down inside the 10, of a Hoyer touch pass. Cameron’s fade in the endzone over Taylor gave the Browns a 7 point lead.
Ben Roethlisberger wasn’t able to work his normal 4th quarter magic as his 4th down pass attempt was knocked away by Donte Whitner and the Cleveland Browns pulled off a huge upset win on Opening Day. 20 – 13
Browns 20 – Steelers 13
What is your prediction for today?