The Pittsburgh Steelers (-4) will get the 2018 season underway against their AFC North rival Cleveland Browns (+4) at FirstEnergy Stadium. CBS will broadcast the action and kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns Betting Preview
In this Sunday AFC game, Pittsburgh is projected as the favorite and is currently giving up 4 points. The Steelers are also receiving -170 moneyline odds while the Browns are +150. This AFC tilt should provide several decent in-game betting opportunities, and oddsmakers have determined the over/under (O/U) to be 45.5 points.
The line initially opened at 6.5 and the total was originally placed at 47, so square bettors are hammering both the Browns and the under.
Including the playoffs, the Steelers went 13-4 straight-up (SU) last season while the Browns only managed a 0-16 SU record in 2017. When playing against conference competition, the Steelers went 10-2 SU and the Browns were 0-12 SU versus American Football Conference squads. The Steelers were 3-1 SU when facing teams from outside the conference while the Browns were 0-4 SU against such teams.
When taking the field against in-conference foes, the Browns offensive unit posted 14.2 points per game by averaging 227 passing yards and 99 rushing yards. The Browns defense yielded 29.5 PPG to non-conference foes and 24.3 PPG to teams in conference.
The Steelers, on the other hand, scored an average of 26.0 points versus AFC teams and allowed 19.4 points per contest. The offense put up 282 pass yards per game and 108 rush yards per game
The Browns should have an advantage in all aspects of the ground game. Their backfield generated 4.5 yards per carry last season while the defense allowed a YPC of 3.4 to opponents. The Steelers rushed for 3.8 yards per carry last year while allowing a YPC of 4.4 to opponents..
Free NFL Tip: Steelers at Browns
SU Winner – Steelers, ATS Winner – Browns, O/U – Under
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Betting Notes
The Pittsburgh offense allowed 24 sacks last season. Their defense created 56 sacks.
Cleveland offense gave up 50 sacks last year. Their defense created 34 sacks
Pittsburgh created 12 rushing touchdowns last season.
Cleveland put up 11 rushing touchdowns last season.
Pittsburgh put up 29 passing touchdowns last season.
Cleveland put up 15 passing touchdowns last season.
*****