When the Steelers (0-1) host the Browns (1-0) in the final game of NFL Week 2 on Monday Night Football (8:15 p.m. ET, ABC), it should be another typical black-and-blue division matchup in the AFC North. While Pittsburgh played poorly offensively and defensively at home in getting routed by San Francisco in Week 1, Cleveland made a statement shutting down Cincinnati.
The Steelers will hope to play much better in Acrisure Stadium in prime time. They tend to deliver in this environment. Since Mike Tomlin took over as head coach in 2007, they are 19-3 on Monday night.
The Browns, meanwhile, will try to further build momentum and take advantage of the Steelers sputtering out of the gate this season. Here's a betting breakdown and a prediction for the latest matchup in one of the league's most intense rivalries:
Browns vs. Steelers odds, spread, over/under
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Spread: Browns -2.5 (-110) | Steelers +2.5 (-110)
Over/Under: OVER 38.5 (-110) | UNDER 38.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Browns -140 | Steelers +115
The Browns beat the Bengals 24-3 while the Steelers lost to the 49ers 30-7 last week. That's why Cleveland is a rare road favorite in Pittsburgh, albeit by less than a field goal. The Steelers' spread mirrors their underdog status from last week.
Should you bet the Browns against the spread?
The Browns dominated in Week 1. The Steelers looked bad and lost a key player, wide receiver Diontae Johnson (hamstring), to injury. But the Browns didn't face much of a challenge from the Bengals. The Steelers have a strong history of beating the Browns since the latter's rebirth, and their track record says they can rebound. Kenny Pickett hit rock bottom, so there's nowhere to go but up in Year 2. The defense and running game can keep it close, and one shouldn't be surprised if Pickett and Deshaun Watson are even in their performances.
Our Pick: Steelers +2.5 (-110)
Should you bet the Steelers on the moneyline?
The Steelers' record with Tomlin on Monday night isn't a fluke. They adjust well after losses and also take advantage of extra time to prepare for opponents. The Steelers won't let this game get away from them, and the overcorrection is sticking more to the run to take pressure off Pickett. Watson didn't inspire much with his play last week, and the Browns' outside receivers can be contained.
Final score prediction: Steelers 20-17
Should you bet the Browns vs. Steelers OVER?
Myles Garrett is leading a loaded defense on every level under coordinator Jim Schwartz. The Steelers have a few more holes, but they still have dominant forces such as T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward, and Minkah Fitzpatrick. Watson and Pickett look shaky to go back and forth on a lot of pass plays, and this should be a grind-y game on the ground.
Our Pick: UNDER 38.5 (-110)
Best Browns vs. Steelers prop bet on SuperDraft
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Browns RB Nick Chubb OVER 77.5 rushing yards
Chubb hit 106 yards rushing against the Bengals and made it look easy. He rumbled for seven 100-yard games in 2022, including once against the Steelers. He hit 77 yards in the second meeting, falling just short here. He also had at least 80 rushing yards in 12-of-17 games last season. He's one of the most reliable fantasy performers and a pretty safe bet to get the necessary volume.
