Browns vs. Steelers 2020: Prediction, Odds, Why Pittsburgh Will Beat Cleveland

The Pittsburgh Steelers host the Cleveland Browns Sunday in the biggest divisional matchup on the Week 6 schedule.

The AFC North rivals enter the game with a combined 8-1 record. Pittsburgh remains perfect at 4-0, sitting a half-game ahead of Cleveland and the Baltimore Ravens for first place.

The line favors the Steelers by 3.5 points, according to betting odds compiled by OddsShark. The over/under is 51.

Following an impromptu bye in Week 4, Pittsburgh defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38-29. Cleveland extended its winning streak to four games in Week 5 with a 32-23 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

The Browns took advantage of two Philip Rivers interceptions, including one that safety Ronnie Harrison returned for a touchdown. Despite scoring north of 30 points for the fourth consecutive game, Cleveland’s offense struggled at times with Indianapolis’ No.1 ranked defense. Baker Mayfield had a pair of interceptions and a 72.7 passer rating, while the Browns ran for 124 yards on 3.8 yards per carry.

The NFL’s top rushing attack has powered Cleveland’s offense in the early part of the 2020 season. The Browns lead the NFL with 188.4 rushing yards per game on 5.5 yards per carry.

Cleveland’s run game was slowed down without Nick Chubb against a top defensive unit. The same could happen against Pittsburgh, putting the onus on Mayfield to make a few big plays.

The Steelers rank second in the league, allowing just 64.0 rushing yards per game on 3.3 yards per carry. Pittsburgh was third in opponents’ yards per carry a season ago.

When the Browns faced the Ravens in the season opener in their only other matchup with a top-five defense, Cleveland was blown out 38-6.

Through five games, Mayfield has yet to prove that his disappointing 2019 campaign was an anomaly. The quarterback has largely blended in during Cleveland’s winning streak, never once hitting the 250-yard mark. Mayfield has thrown for fewer than 190 yards three times.

In both games against the Steelers last year, Mayfield failed to throw for 200 yards or complete more than 56.3% of his passes. Cleveland went 1-1 against Pittsburgh, scoring 34 total points.

Ben Roethlisberger missed both of those contests with a season-ending elbow injury. The veteran is back under center, engineering an offense that’s 10th in scoring.

Roethlisberger has not been spectacular, but he’s played well in just about every game. He’s thrown for at least two touchdowns and a 98.7 passer rating in every single contest. Roethlisberger only has one interception.

Chase Claypool’s four-touchdown performance in Week 5 makes him another dangerous weapon in a Steelers’ offense that can play even better than it has through a quarter of the season.

Pittsburgh hasn’t been held to fewer than 26 points in any game. Surpassing that mark against an average Cleveland defense might not be an issue.

Defensive Player of the Year candidate Myles Garrett could be neutralized by a strong Pittsburgh offensive line. Roethlisberger isn’t likely to commit head-scratching turnovers the way Rivers just did.

The Steelers have been in some close games, but they keep finding ways to win. That should continue against a Browns’ team that still has more to prove before it can be considered a top AFC North contender.

Prediction: Pittsburgh over Cleveland, 28-20