Diamond Images/Getty Images

ESPN Computer Picks Winner Of Browns vs. Steelers Game

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Nov 21, 2024 10:33 AM ET

The Thursday Night Football matchup between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers may not be as lopsided as their records suggest.

Pittsburgh enters Week 12 atop the AFC North at 8-2. Mike Tomlin's squad goes to Huntington Bank Field looking to extend a five-game winning streak, including four victories with Russell Wilson under center. Meanwhile, Cleveland is near the bottom of the league standings at 2-8.

Despite those discrepancies, the Steelers are a modest 3.5-point favorite to follow a monumental win over the Baltimore Ravens with another division triumph. ESPN Analytics doesn't necessarily think the outcome is a foregone conclusion.

While ESPN's Matchup Predictor sides with the Steelers, the win probabilities may be closer than some anticipate. ESPN gives Pittsburgh a 55.5 chance to prevail on Thursday night.

Last Sunday marked the second time the Steelers won a game with six field goals and no touchdowns. They rank 19th in total offense and beat up on some NFL bottom-feeders (Jets, Giants, Raiders) before squeaking out close triumphs over the Washington Commanders and Ravens.

Most models are thus unlikely to portray Pittsburgh as a formidable Super Bowl contender. The Steelers rank ninth in ESPN's Football Power Index. Meanwhile, the Browns are 22nd ahead of the 6-5 Denver Broncos, 4-6 Chicago Bears, and 5-6 Indianapolis Colts.

The Browns have dropped four games by seven points or fewer, but they'll have to shake off consecutive blowouts on Thursday. Jameis Winston threw three interceptions in a 27-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, and last year's top-ranked defense allowed 8.2 yards per play in a 35-14 rout by the New Orleans Saints.

On the bright side, Myles Garrett should be good to go despite missing Tuesday's practice with a hip injury. Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward practiced in full Wednesday after a ribs and ankle issue limited him earlier in the week.

The Steelers and Browns meet twice in three weeks as the NFL playoff race intensifies. Pittsburgh will hope to avoid a trap game in a Thursday Night Football bout starting at 8:15 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime Video.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: