Monday Night Football Prediction: Can Deshaun Watson's Browns and Kenny Pickett's Steelers Go Off?
The Cleveland Browns head to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers, who took it on the chin against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1 as they were blown out at home. Can they put together a better performance tonight against Cleveland? Let's break it down.
Joey Ruiz - September 18, 2023, 5:18 PM EDT
7 minMonday Night Football Prediction: Can Deshaun Watson's Browns and Kenny Pickett's Steelers Go Off?
The Pittsburgh Steelers looked absolutely abysmal in Week 1, and things do not get much easier for them tonight against a Cleveland Browns team that could turn some heads this season. The Steelers were only able to put up 239 yards of total offense and 41 rushing yards, as they also turned the ball over twice and allowed five sacks.
Browns vs. Steelers Date, Start Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: September 18, 2023
- Game Time: 8:15 pm ET
- Where to Watch: ABC, ESPN+
Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Prediction
Kenny Pickett was under duress all day from Nick Bosa and company, and Najee Harris was only able to rack up six carries for 31 yards as they found themselves in a negative game script for much of the afternoon. They could find themselves in another negative game script tonight as they are nearly in an identical spot tonight as they were in Week 1 against San Francisco.
In both games, they are small home underdogs of 2-2.5 points and will be facing another solid defense tonight. On the other side, Cleveland enters this game with a record of 1-0 after they completely dominated the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1 behind one of the most impressive defensive performances of the season for any team so far. They only allowed three total points to Joe Burrow, and that high-powered Cincinnati offense as Myles Garrett and company were wreaking havoc for most of the game.
Burrow was sacked only twice but was on the run nearly every play, as there was constant pressure from all angles. Burrow completed less than 50 percent of his passes on the day for only 82 yards, as they could not move the ball at all. Joe Mixon did have a bit of success on the ground as he racked up 56 yards on 4.3 yards per carry, but other than that, it was a complete wash for the Bengals offense. Now Cleveland rolls into Pittsburgh to face a depleted Steelers team, and it could be a long day for this Pittsburgh group.
The Steelers are also dealing with some key injuries as well. As star defensive lineman Cameron Heyward is out with a groin injury and one of their top receivers, Diontae Johnson, will also be out for tonight's game with a lower-body injury, who will step up? It will be on Kenny Pickett, George Pickens, and Najee Harris to pick up the slack, but I am not sure it will be enough because I am a big believer in this Browns defense. They looked elite against an elite offense and on the road to boot.
New Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz has had an immediate impact on this Browns' defensive group as the Browns had a blitz rate last week of over 40% and were able to shut down one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL. Now they get to tee off against Kenny Pickett and a depleted Steelers receiving core, with a so-so-to-below-average running game with Harris/Warren.
I certainly do not like fading Mike Tomlin at home on primetime as he always has his guys ready to play, and I do think the Steelers will play better but the only way I see them keeping this game close is if they can run the ball, move the sticks consistently, and do their best to shorten the game. This type of game script should yield a lower-scoring affair where both teams thrive. With that being said, I am rolling with the UNDER 39.5 at -110 for 1U as my most confident NFL play of the day for tonight's action.
Monday Night Football Pick
1U UNDER 39.5 -110 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds for this pick
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