Steelers vs Browns | Prediction & Pick – NFL Pick

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Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns
Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 8:20 PM EST on NFL Network

Spread: Pittsburgh Steelers -14.5
Over/Under: 40

Caught up in a raging battle for the AFC North Division lead, the 9-3 Pittsburgh Steelers will welcome the opportunity to pry a win away from the Cleveland Browns on Thursday. They currently share the top spot with rival Baltimore.

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Although the Steelers have already yielded the playoff tie-breaker to the Ravens, they can avoid disappointment at the end of the season by finishing with a distinctly better record. Such playoff implications are what make games like the one this week some of the most intriguing on the NFL betting board.

The Browns may not have the opportunity to climb back into the playoff picture in time, but aren’t to be taken lightly. If Ben Roethlisberger and Mike Tomlin can instill a sense of urgency in Pittsburgh, though, then a win is well within reach.

Even though the Steelers have seen their odds of winning the Super Bowl fluctuate this season, they’ve emerged as the consistent threat fans expected them to be, even after a disastrous Week 1 suggested that there may be a power shift brewing in the AFC North.

Now, as the season reaches maturity Pittsburgh looks to be as big of a force on the NFL odds board as anyone.

The odds makers have the Pittsburgh Steelers as a -14.5 point favorite with an over/under of 40.

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Cleveland Browns Betting Trends:

• Cleveland is 2-5-2 ATS in its last 9 games
• The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Cleveland’s last 8 games
• Cleveland is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
• Cleveland is 2-4-1 ATS in its last 7 games on the road

Pittsburgh Steelers Betting Trends:

• Pittsburgh is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh’s last 6 games at home
• Pittsburgh is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home
• Pittsburgh is 10-4-1 ATS in its last 15 games when playing Cleveland