IT’S GAME DAY!!

That means while we all wait for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns to kickoff at 1:00pm EST in Week 14 on Sunday, it’s time to take a look at who the SCN staff likes in this game. The current line for the game is PIT (-6.5) with a Total of 43.5.

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

The game last week has Steelers fans feeling good about their offense, and possibly having questions about the defense. The Browns pose a different threat in Week 14. A better defense, and an offense which isn’t as prolific as the Bengals. But this game won’t be easy. As much as I would love this to be a classic Steelers blowout of the Browns, I don’t see that happening. Nonetheless, I think the Steelers run away with it in the second half, and a late Browns score makes the final look closer than it really was. Steelers win and continue their push to the AFC North crown.

Prediction: Steelers 29, Browns 22

Dave Schofield 

When the Steelers faced the Browns two games ago, there was concern about them being able to get up for the game with such a quick turnaround on the road after defeating Baltimore. This time, all that is out the window. There are plenty of reasons to get up for this game if nothing more than payback for the last contest. The Steelers start well and don’t let up so this time Steelers fans get a more relaxing fourth quarter.

Prediction: Steelers 31, Browns 17

Jeremy Betz

The Steelers have some real revenge narratives working in their favor for this quick-turnaround 2nd matchup with Cleveland. Obviously losing the game just 2 weeks ago is the biggest deal, but Myles Garrett’s post-game comments directed at TJ Watt won’t sit well with him or his teammates, and the defense will look to avenge their poor performance vs. Cincinnati last week. I originally predicted a 27-20 win for PIT on Friday’s “Let’s Ride” podcast with Jeff Hartman, but all of those factors combined with the Browns not having won in Pittsburgh in 20 years makes me feel like the Steelers will really roll in this game.

Prediction: Steelers, 27, Browns 16

Anthony Defeo

The Steelers are either going to get revenge on the Browns by winning the rematch or get swept by them which will cause the fans to say they were distracted by the Hard Knocks film crew. Either way, it’s going to make for a great story.  I do think the Steelers will find a way to win.

Prediction: Steelers 27, Browns 21

Big Bro Scho

I will be in Acrisure Stadium for this one along with #PayKyle. The Steelers have won every game I’ve attended post COVID and I need them to keep my streak alive. I am expecting the game to stay close, the way most AFC North games do. The defense keeps the Browns in check and the offense does enough to get the job done. My streak survives.

Prediction: Steelers 26, Browns 21

K.T. Smith

The Browns are playing pretty good football under Jameis Winston and will make this a game. But I don’t see Pittsburgh getting swept by Cleveland.  The key to their success will be neutralizing Myles Garrett and keeping Russell Wilson clean. I think they’ll find a way to do that. It won’t be the offensive fireworks show we got last week in Cincinnati, but I anticipate a solid effort all around from the Steelers.

Prediction: Steelers 24, Browns 20

Corey Eckenroth

Jameis Winston’s 6 TD’s on Monday was very impressive, even if considering two of them were Pick 6’s by the Denver defense. Still, it cannot be understated that Winston looked to have taken a step forward in Kevin Stefanski’s offense against a very capable Denver defense.

That would be a huge breath of fresh air in a lost season for CLE, considering the offseason of dealing with The Masseuse they have ahead of them.

Will Pittsburgh be able to slow down this new found offense? They did last time in the snow, but this looks to be a completely different game, one that COULD be dominated by offense, just as last week.

This Steelers team needs to show they can keep up with the better offenses in the league consistently down the stretch. The PIT offense produces enough to get the win against a stout CLE D that stymied them last time.

Prediction: Steelers 27, Browns 22

Jason Murphy

Is there such a thing as a “must win” game for a team with a two game lead in the division going into the second week of December? Turns out that answer is yes. This is the week for the Steelers to prove not only to the fans, but also to themselves, that the days of dropping home games against less talented rosters are over. The Browns are better than their record, especially now with Winston at QB, and no game in the AFC North is ever easy. It’s imperative the Steelers build on last week and not regress. The rest of the schedule almost demands it.

Prediction: Steelers 26, Browns 20

Sadie Hubler

The Steelers dropped the last game to the Browns in Cleveland just two weeks ago. While Myles Garret had a great game and Jameis Winston played well enough to lead the Browns to a victory, Pittsburgh also played a role in the loss. There were several penalties that proved costly, drives stalled early ending in field goals instead of touchdowns, and T.J. Watt was relatively quiet.

This time around, Pittsburgh is coming off of a win in a shootout against the Cincinnati Bengals where they were able to score early and often. This, coupled with cleaning up a few penalties, should be enough to get the win against Cleveland. I’m picking the Steelers in this one.

Prediction: Steelers 27, Browns 17

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 14 game between the Steelers and Browns.