5 bold predictions for Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

21 points will win this game again

To clarify the headline, both of these teams won’t score more than 21 points. There was only a total of 28 points scored last time they matched up.

Both of these teams have been carried by their defense all season, the Browns rank 20th in points per game and the Steelers come in 25th in that category.

Cleveland would have their drives end by turnover or penalty, but they have cut down on both of those stats during this winning streak. Baker Mayfield is making quick, smart decisions and getting the ball out of his hands.

Most offenses that are run heavy typically don’t score a lot because they have longer drives which is the case for Cleveland. Expect Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt to combine for more than 30 carries. The Browns want to control the ball and the clock, which doesn’t lead to a lot of scoring.

Pittsburgh has been ineffective offensively since they’ve lost Ben Roethlisberger in the second game of the season and have played with a combination of backups since then.

JuJu Smith-Schuster has been good but not nearly as good as he was last year. Whether it is not having Antonio Brown on the other side or the inexperienced quarterbacks, but the Steelers expect more from him. He will likely be out against the Browns anyway.

The Cleveland offense has been improving every week and the Steelers offense has been playing well enough for them to win games. This game will essentially be won by the team that can score three touchdowns first because the other offense probably won’t produce more than that.