Cleveland Browns Week 6 score predictions: Myles Garrett redemption tour

Writer: Sam Penix

The past four weeks have been some of the best in recent history for the Cleveland Browns, with the team boasting a 4-1 record heading into a pivotal Week 6 matchup with the division-rival Steelers. This game will have massive playoff (yes, playoff) implications for later in the season, so the atmospheric pressure will be heavy.

The Browns offense scored 23 points on the NFL’s best defense last week, and Baker Mayfield absolutely torched the Colts secondary during the first half, even without his All-Pro-level running back and right guard. Mayfield’s play dropped in the second half, but if he can do that against Indianapolis, he can do it against anyone. The Steelers own the league’s top pass-rushing unit, but their secondary has struggled thus far. Mayfield will need to operate better under pressure in order to give his team a chance on Sunday. He must avoid turnovers and poor decisions. Without Wyatt Teller, running the ball will be tough sledding once again this week, so Mayfield will shoulder the responsibility of leading his team to victory.

Defensively, the Browns are hurting. Both Ronnie Harrison and Karl Joseph have yet to practice this week, leaving Andrew Sendejo, Sheldrick Redwine, and Jovante Moffatt as the only healthy safeties on the roster. The Steelers offensive line is exploitable, but when Ben Roethlisberger has had time to throw, he’s found rookie Chase Claypool downfield often. Claypool’s tight end size and wide receiver athletic ability will be an extremely tough cover for the Cleveland secondary, and that may ultimately be too much for the young team to overcome.

The winning streak ends at four games, but a loss is just an opportunity to begin a new, longer streak. The Browns may not defeat Pittsburgh this time around, but they’ll learn some valuable lessons that will give them a much better chance later this season, during the heat of the final playoff push.

Prediction: Pittsburgh 38, Cleveland 27