5 Bold predictions for Cleveland Browns vs. the Steelers

The Cleveland Browns must finish strong

The Cleveland Browns ended up being extremely short-handed vs. the New York Jets last week. And while it was a factor, it can’t be an excuse for losing to a team that was 1-13. What stings, even more, is a win would have sealed a Browns trip to the playoffs. Now, they must beat their rival in a Week 17 matchup to punch their ticket to the playoffs.

While the loss on Sunday was demoralizing as a fan, this is just another chance for Kevin Stefanski to prove he was the right guy. He will have a huge task of preparing for the Steelers, whose defense has always given the Browns trouble and whose offense appears to be back on track after a big comeback win vs. the Colts last week.

It’s easy to live in the past but let’s move on from the loss and focus on Pittsburgh. Here are five bold predictions for the Brown’s biggest game of the decade on Sunday.

5. Coaching corrections

One thing that hasn’t happened often this season, is Stefanski getting outcoached or out schemed.  While many would argue that happened on Sunday vs. the Jets, I can’t put the full blame on him after finding out 6 starters would miss the game less than 24 hours before kickoff.

Either way, look for Stefanski to have his staff on top of their game this week. He will use the embarrassing loss as motivation to make sure the offense, defense, and special teams are all ready for a hard-fought battle.

The Steelers are going to score points, and they are going to have stops vs. the Browns offense. However, expect a few unseen wrinkles this week in all phases of the game to help the Browns clinch their first playoff birth since 2002. Oh, and Cody Parkey will be perfect in the kicking game as well (fingers crossed).