IT’S GAME DAY!!

That means while we all wait for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns to kickoff at 8:15pm EST in Week 2 on Monday Night Football, it’s time to take a look at who the SCN staff likes in this game. The current line for the game is CLE (-2.5) with a Total of 38.5.

But these picks are vs. the spread, or based on an over/under. These are straight up picks. So, let’s get to the prognostications.

Jeff Hartman

My apologies to those who are into doomsday prophecies, but I don’t buy the Steelers are as bad as they played in Week 1. I also don’t believe the Browns are as good as they played in Week 1. These opening games can be fool’s gold in a lot of ways. I’m not predicting a blowout, instead I’m predicting a really close game where the Steelers somehow, someway get the win. Ugly, yes, but necessary.

Prediction: Steelers 23, Browns 21

Dave Schofield

If someone doesn’t believe the Steelers are “there” yet, it does not mean they don’t believe in the team for the entire season. The Steelers looked a long way away from a competitive team in Week 1, and I just don’t see them making the jump all the way back in eight days. Can they? I sure hope so. Do I expect them too? Not yet. I need to see the Steelers take a step in the positive direction in Week 2 which may not mean being victorious. I am fairly confident in the 17 points for the Browns when it comes to my prediction, but I’m just not sure if the Steelers are going to score 20 or 13. Because they have such a long way to go after last week, I have them at 13.

Prediction: Browns 17, Steelers 13

Jeremy Betz

In hindsight, the 49ers field-stretching offense was a really bad matchup for the Steelers Front 7. Pittsburgh’s linebackers are a group of downhill demolition artists, but struggled to work sideline-to-sideline against McCaffrey and co. The Browns bring a much more “north & south” approach to running the football to Acrisure Stadium on Monday Night which should play to the Steelers’ strengths on defense a little more. That said, I believe the offense’s issues are likely too much to overcome in just one week, so a close loss against a tough Browns defense seems the likely outcome in Week 2.

Prediction: Browns 19, Steelers 17

Anthony Defeo

There is a low tide coming to Steeler Nation, and it will be in the form of a listless home loss to the Browns on Monday Night Football.

Prediction: Browns 24, Steelers 3

Shannon White

After last Sunday, I honestly don’t know what to think about this team. Both coordinators basically said the same thing; the Niners are a great team, and our players didn’t execute. They absolve themselves of almost any responsibility. The Steelers game plans must minimize the Browns strengths, and attack their weaknesses. Changes must be made according to matchups. We can only hope that they are capable of making the adjustments. Sticking with my Pump Your Brakes prediction.

Prediction: Steelers 20, Browns 13

Bradley Locker

If there’s a blueprint for exactly how not to start a season, the Steelers put forth a good plan last Sunday. While the Browns’ defense was excellent against Cincinnati, yielding just three points and posting the second-best defensive EPA/play in Week One, I think the Steelers stay more balanced and devise a better game plan in Week Two. If Deshaun Watson plays as badly as he did last week, and Pittsburgh’s offense converts on shorter fields and turnovers, this game could definitely sway the way of the black and gold. I’m not giving up on Mike Tomlin’s group just yet.

Prediction: Steelers 27, Browns 20

Big Bro Scho

Is there really much to say here at all after the Steelers decided to not show up last week? I am pretty much a prove it to me kind of guy, and last week the Steelers didn’t prove anything to me. Cleveland on the other hand did show some life and although it was in a monsoon they were able to top the Bengals. There are a lot of different streaks on the line here, but those are not what I’m here to predict. I will be in the stadium to see the game live and although I hope for a Steeler victory I really don’t think I can call one here.

Prediction:  Browns 24, Steelers 21

What is your prediction? Let us know in the comment section below, and be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the upcoming Week 2 game between the Steelers and Browns.