Browns vs. Steelers: DPD staff predictions for the Week 11 rivalry game
The Dawg Pound Daily staff got together to share our predictions for today’s matchup between the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In what should be considered a rivalry game, the Pittsburgh Steelers head to Cleveland today to take on a Browns team that has been the opposite of competitive during the past decade.
The Steelers are struggling at 4-5, but a meeting with the Browns may be the perfect remedy to turn around the season.
As we all finally wait for a win, the staff here at Dawg Pound Daily got together to share our predictions for today’s game.
Jonathan Goehring (2016 record: 6-4): Steelers 33, Browns 27
For a team desperate to get in the win column, the Browns will come out with an intensity unmatched thus far this season. This will get them going early on offensively, and they will take a small lead into the second quarter. Eventually though, even with the team’s best efforts, the explosive Pittsburgh offense will wear down an inexperienced and overmatched Cleveland defense.
By the time the second half comes, the Browns will find themselves behind and desperately trying to catch up. Cody Kessler will show improvement once again this week, and Terrelle Pryor and Gary Barnidge will keep the game a lot closer than anticipated. However, the inability to run the ball will catch up with the Browns.
In a close game, a late interception will squash any hopes of pulling off a stunning upset and completing a 20-point comeback. Cleveland will drop to 0-11, and fans will have to wait at least another week to witness their team’s first victory.
Tom Moore (2016 record: 10-0): Steelers 31, Browns 10
The Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the more explosive offenses in the NFL, but it has been misfiring in recent weeks. The Browns have the remedy, however, as their defense is giving up 30 points per game, just a shade behind the San Francisco 49ers for the title of the league’s worst defense.
The Browns have also lost 22 of the past 25 meetings with the Steelers, which is about as sobering of a statistic as one can find.
The weather is going to be unpleasant this afternoon, which should fit right in with the unpleasantness that will take place on the field.
Roger Cohen (2016 record: 8-2): Steelers 39, Browns 16
Whenever Yinzer Pittsburgh fans take to sports talk radio to gripe about “Taawmlin,” it seems Cleveland is always the “next team up” and the Steelers are about to paste a whupping on the Browns. Sure, the game is in Cleveland, but if J-E-T-S, Pats and Cowboys fans outnumbered Browns fans at FirstEnergy, what will the stadium look and sound like Sunday filled with Steeler Nation paying bargain prices on StubHub?
Fueled by the hardy Muni Lot crowd, I see the Browns starting strong — an early Cody Kessler-led drive, a trick play or two and maybe even a sack or pick of Big Ben. But the Browns per form give up a long drive entering half-time tied 10-10.
After that, le deluge as LeVeon Bell breaks arm tackle after arm tackle and Antonio Brown torches the Browns woeful-and-getting worse secondary. Kessler or maybe Kevin Hogan leads a garbage time drive to keep the margin within the norm. Oh, and Steelers convert multiple two-point conversions romping to a 39-16 win. 0-11 and counting…
Joel Cade (2016 record: 8-2): Steelers 35, Browns 13
The Cleveland Browns host the Pittsburgh Steelers at home. The weather will be a factor as it will be cold and possibly snowy. Bad weather conditions always favor the underdog and the Browns will need all the help they can get.
The offense will look to bounce back from an extremely poor performance which seems to have solidified the thought in Browns fans’ minds that Cody Kessler is not the answer. In order to be successful, Kessler must be able to throw the ball downfield. With receivers with the speed of Terrellle Pryor and Corey Coleman, it should only be a matter of time before they are open. The running game needs some work but with Cameron Heyward out, the ground game may be able to get going.
The defense must be prepared for the high flying passing attack of the Steelers. The good news is that Joe Haden and Jamar Taylor are expected to be back for the game. Nevertheless, the ground attack must be stopped in order to make the Steelers one-dimensional. The Steelers have struggled in run blocking but have Le’Veon Bell.
Not only are the Browns still a very young team, they are now facing a growing sentiment in the league that nobody wants to be the team that loses to the Browns. Our FanSided friends at Still Curtain are even calling for Mike Tomlin to be fired if the Steelers lose to the Browns.
I sincerely hope the Browns win to see that happen. This team is still very inexperienced and continues to fall apart in the second half. However, I will continue to cheer regardless. Go Browns!
Steven Kubitza (2016 record: 6-4): Steelers 34, Browns 20
The Browns will compete with the Steelers one day, but 2016 is not the year to expect anything from this young team.
The Steelers may only be 4-5 this year, but that record sounds magical compared to the 0-10 mark held by the Browns. Cody Kessler will continue to improve, but it will not nearly be enough against Steelers.
Hue Jackson’s job is safe in Cleveland, but it may eventually be judged by how well he can pick up division wins. He has a pass this year, but the Browns cannot continue to be dominated by the rest of the division every single year.
Matt Stevenson (2016 Record: 9-0): Steelers 26, Browns 16
The Browns have won two of their last four home games against the Steelers, but at 0-10 this season it seems unlikely. Despite the Steelers’ disappointing 4-5 record the team is still led by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger who could only recall several Browns quarterbacks he’s played against.
Le’Veon Bell hasn’t played to his potential so far this season but the Browns present a great opportunity to get rolling. Cody Kessler is not used to severe weather and with reports of high winds and even a possibility of snow the rookie quarterback will have to adapt quickly. However, it’s difficult to imagine Kessler can get his first win against the AFC North’s best quarterback.
Eric Szczepinski (2016 record: 5-4): Steelers 33, Browns 13
Pittsburgh is coming off a tough loss at home last week at the hands of Ezekiel Elliott and the Dallas Cowboys. To stay alive in the AFC North divisional race, a win against the Browns is a must.
Next: Keys to an upset over the Steelers
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has a career 19-2 record against the Browns. Nine of those victories have come at FirstEnergy Stadium. In a lost season for Cleveland, expect nothing different than the lopsided rivalry to continue with another Steelers victory over the Browns.