Cleveland Browns vs. Steelers Predictions: Can the Browns score the upset?
By Randy Gurzi
Writer: Randy Gurzi
Game: Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns
Summary: The Cleveland Browns have been the talk of the offseason this NFL. That’s bound to happen when you’re trying to put a 0-16 season behind you. It’s more likely to happen when you own the No. 1, No. 4, No. 33 and No. 35 picks in the NFL Draft and are the featured team on HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks.’
More from Dawg Pound Daily
- How the Browns could maximize Nick Chubb in 2023
- Can Deshaun Watson get to Patrick Mahomes level for Cleveland Browns?
- 3 Cleveland Browns who should see an expanded role in 2023 and 1 who should not
- Is Marcus Davenport on the Browns radar in 2023?
- 5 Free agents from Super Bowl LVII Cleveland Browns should target
The question now is whether or not all the chance in the Land will matter. They get their first chance to answer that on Sunday against the hated Pittsburgh Steelers.
The bullies of the AFC North are heading int FirstEnergy Stadium and we all know they’re looking past the Browns. It’s a flaw of theirs, and it cost them a playoff game when they were ignoring the Jacksonville Jaguars who subsequently punched them in their black and gold mouths. It could happen again here.
Cleveland still has a lot of growing to do in order to become North champs, but this isn’t a winless team. Look for them to be fired up as they aim to put last season’s stench in the rear view. Offensive coordinator Todd Haley will be locked in with his play calls as he sticks it to his old team. Expect a big day from running back Carlos Hyde as Haley gets him involved early and often.
On defense, the Browns will do just enough to slow Pittsburgh down — and Myles Garrett will finally lay out Ben Roethlisberger like he’s been itching to do since getting drafted. Cleveland wins a shocker in Week 1.
Final Score: Cleveland 24, Pittsburgh 20