The AFC North is looking intriguingly competitive in the early stages of the season, with all four teams boasting 2-1 records going into the Week 4 opener when the Cleveland Browns host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night.
The Steelers bounced back from their 20-3 struggles in New England to inflict a first defeat on the Cincinnati Bengals in an upset 30-27 win on Sunday and they now sit top of the Division with the Bengals now bottom.
Aaron Rodgers, who completed 23 of 39 for 187 yards, no touchdowns and one interception against the Pats, found the endzone three times against the Bengals while Jaylen Warren enjoyed a monster game, rushing for 127 yards fro m17 carries while adding a further 49 through the air from three catches.
The Browns have been something of a surprise package so far, particularly after an opening 34-10 defeat in Jacksonville as they have reeled off back-to-back victories, downing the Buccaneers 23-19 in Tampa before edging the Carolina Panthers 21-18 at Huntington Bank Field last week.
Deshaun Watson has been solid if not spectacular for Cleveland, enjoying a second successive two-touchdown game with no interceptions on Sunday, while rushing for 45 off 11 carries to help steer the Browns to another W.
Steelers vs. Browns Betting Picks and Predictions
Cleveland Browns ML (+125)
As mentioned previously, Cleveland's start has been somewhat surprising and the expectation is that it may not continue with Pittsburgh installed as the -150 favorites on the moneyline, and 2.5 point favorites on the spread.
Rodgers and the offense had much more joy against the Bengals than previously this season with Warren's personal output helping massively, but they now need to prove they can do it away from the Acrisure Stadium, having been held to just three points in their only other road game this season.
The Browns have upset the odds in their last two games and it would arguably not be much of a surprise should they win on Thursday, particularly in a game that is expected to be low-scoring.
The Steelers have yet to win a divisional road game on TNF, losing all nine they have previously contested which includes four defeats in Cleveland. The home team in this matchup has won the last nine games, with Pittsburgh last winning in Cleveland in 2021.
The Browns won 13-6 at Huntington Bank Field last season and at +125 odds, they look worth chancing to enjoy a similar kind of result.
Jaylen Warren over 66.5 rushing yards (-115)
Warren had a spectacular game last week, rushing for 127 yards from 17 carries while adding three receptions for 49 yards, although he has yet to find the endzone this season.
However, he can have another big game on the ground with his rushing line set at 66.5, a target he can pass. While he only ran for 46 and 43 in his first two games, Cleveland look like a team he can profit from.
The Jaguars ran for 126 yards in the season opener against the Browns, sharing the workload around, while Tampa Bay's Bucky Irving averaged 5.2 yards a carry in his 89-yard haul, and Chuba Hubbard gained 82 yards for the Panthers on Sunday.
Warren and the Steelers' offensive line should be in a confident frame of mind after last week, and given they are going into a hostile environment they will likely try to establish the run game early to take the pressure off Rodgers.
Harold Fannin Jr Anytime Touchdown (+280)
Harold Fannin Jr is just starting to establish himself as a key target for Deshaun Watson this season and goes into this rivalry clash having scored two touchdowns against the Panthers last week, his first two of the season.
His impact has been steadily growing over the first three games, catching two of three targets in Jacksonville before five of six targets in Tampa, culminating in his two-score performance on Sunday when he reeled in seven of nine for 52 yards.
Of his six TD catches last season, one was the key score against the Steelers in the narrow 13-6 win on the final day of the regular season, and he looks an attractive price to make it a double against Pittsburgh on Thursday night.
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Steelers vs. Browns odds
PIT Steelers | -150 |
CLE Browns | +125 |
Spread | PIT Steelers -2.5 |
Total | O/U 38.5 |
Steelers vs. Browns player props
Anytime touchdown
Jaylen Warren (PIT Steelers) | -105 |
Quinshon Judkins (CLE Browns) | +115 |
Rico Dowdle (PIT Steelers) | +140 |
D.K. Metcalf (PIT Steelers) | +220 |
Harold Fannin Jr. (CLE Browns) | +280 |
Denzel Boston (CLE Browns) | +290 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
