Cleveland Browns: 4 bold predictions for finale against Pittsburgh Steelers

Let’s wrap up this Cleveland Browns season with our last set of bold predictions when they take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in the finale

In their final game of the season, the Cleveland Browns, will be looking to oust their rival Pittsburgh Steelers from a possible postseason appearance. The Browns come into the weekend with a disappointing 7-9 mark while the Steelers have an 8-8 record.

So what will happen in this game? Cleveland hasn’t had much success when they play at Pittsburgh, however, they did beat them in the 2020 divisional playoff game. Kevin Stefanski also has a 3-3 record against the Steelers if you count the playoff victory.

Let’s now take a stab at a few more bold predictions in this game that would at least end the season on a high note.

No. 4 Bold prediction: Deshaun Watson throws four touchdowns

We boldly predicted Deshaun Watson would throw three touchdowns in last week’s game against the Washington Commanders and we were correct as he did just that. Watson waited until the second half to do all his work, but it paid off as the Browns won 24-10. There’s nothing to hold him back from trying a few things on the field and making a few throws as he is learning and getting more comfortable in this Cleveland offense.

He was able to find Amari Cooper a few times in the second half and that paid off as Cooper went on to score two touchdowns with his third going to Donovan Peoples-Jones. We could see that connection between Watson and DPJ get going more in this final game of the season.

No. 3 Bold prediction: Myles Garrett records three sacks

While we’re talking about Browns players doing things they haven’t done in a while, let’s turn our attention to defensive end Myles Garrett who is having another solid season but has been in the headlines this season for a variety of other reasons. There was that car accident at the first part of the season that drew everyone’s concern for his well-being. Then, as the season progressed, Garrett drew criticism for questioning a few things about the coaching staff and their play calling.

Despite those headlines, Garrett has now tallied 15 sacks on the season after getting another 1.5 in last week’s game. He set the single-season record at 16 a year ago and he could outdo that mark if he has a good game in Pittsburgh. He’s had a history of playing well against the hated Steelers, so that doesn’t seem unreasonable. He’s recorded 26 tackles against them which is more than he has against any other team in the NFL. He’s also sacked the quarterback six times.

With that as the backdrop, I wouldn’t be surprised if we hear Garrett’s name called a few times on Sunday. It’s the last game of the season for the Browns and you have to think the players will be focused and ready to play their enemy.

No. 2 Bold prediction: Nick Chubb breaks two records

The two individual records that Cleveland running back Nick Chubb is looking to break are his season touchdown total and the most rushing yards tallied in a season. Chubb has been stuck on 12 touchdowns since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game, which Cleveland won on Chubb’s touchdown in overtime.

Earlier in the year, Chubb scored three touchdowns against New York Jets back in Week 2. He’s had a couple more multiple-touchdown games since when he picked up two in Los Angeles when the Browns played the Chargers and two more in the big Monday Night Game on Halloween Night against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The other record Chubb is working on surpassing in this game is gaining more than 1,494 total yards on the ground, his total from 2019. He has 1,448 yards at the moment. He had a 7.9 yards per carry average a week ago and if he can get a few big runs in this game he should bolt by this personal record as well. Chubb leads the league this season with 12 carries of 20 yards or more, so my money is on Chubb this week to set new records.

No. 1 Bold prediction: Kevin Stefanski picks up his fourth win against Steelers

One big reason that Kevin Stefanski is still the Cleveland Browns coach as we approach the end of his third season is because of the success he’s had against the Steelers. He’s gone 3-3 against them and every win against them counts more like two wins because they are the Browns archrivals.

The first two wins occurred back in 2020 when his team had to first get a win against Pittsburgh in the last game of the season to reach the playoffs and the next happened a week later when they pummeled the Steelers on their home turf in the divisional playoff game.

Since then, Stefanski picked up the win against Pittsburgh earlier this season on a Thursday Night Football Game back in Week 3. What better way to end this season for the Browns coach to sweep the Steelers with a win on Sunday?