STEELERS at BROWNS
8:15 p.m., Steelers by 4 ½, 36 ½
HANK’S HONEYS: Function vs. dysfunction. Yes, it seems like a fishy line, driven down by the rivalry. One also has to consider the possibility of a Pittsburgh letdown on a short week after the Steelers’ huge win over the Ravens. OK we’ve considered it. The Steelers never let down against Cleveland. So how can anyone bet on the free-falling Browns against Prime Time Mike Tomlin’s impressive crew? Temperatures are expected to be just above freezing with a wintry mix that might turn the grass field into a slippery mess. That sounds like Steelers weather to us. Cleveland’s defensive front is built on speed, not muscle, and we can see them being pushed all over the field like a blocking sled. Myles Garrett may be jacked up over T.J. Watt’s comments over his Defensive Player of the Year award but he’s going to spend much of the game defending the run, where Najee Harris should have a field day after being limited to 63 yards by the Ravens. The Browns, with run-stopping LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah on IR since Week 8, are giving up 131.7 rushing ypg and 4.8 per carry. On the other hand, Nick Chubb, sadly, hasn’t been the same since his heroic return this season, and that will put a large part of the offense on Jameis Winston’s arm. Minkah Fitzpatrick and the ball-hawking secondary must be licking their chops. Winston’s O-line has been a sieve so expect a big might from Watt and the Steelers’ pash rush, even if Alex Highsmith is held out again.
It’s an under-the-total forecast and with so little expected of the Browns’ offense, that’s the only bet you can make with the total.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Steelers and the under.
