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Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Odds & Betting

Written by Jimmy Boyd on December 24, 2008

browns-steelers

The Steelers have already been crowned AFC North Division champs and have secured a first-round bye. They had a chance to secure home field throughout the playoffs with a win over Tennessee last week, but were upset by the Titans. Despite not really having anything to play for, the Steelers 10.5-point home favorites with the total set at 32.

The Steelers have beaten the Browns 10 straight times and will now face a Cleveland team reeling even worse than before thanks to an altercation between teammates. Pittsburgh came from behind to beat hate division rival Baltimore on December 14th to win the division. That win also ensured the Steelers that it would receive a first-round bye. After winning five straight games in which it trailed, the comeback kids could not make it six in a row. They clawed their way back from a 10-0 hole last week to take a four point lead in the third quarter, but then the Titans found another level, scoring 21 straight points in a 31-14 win. QB Ben Roethlisberger’s 331 yards were overshadowed by two interceptions and two lost fumbles. The Steelers have still clinched the AFC’s number two seed, meaning they will play their first playoff game at home on January 10 or 11.

The biggest reason why the Steelers are a double digit favorite in this game is because their defense has been dominant all season. Pittsburgh held its first 14 opponents to less than 300 yards of total offense to tie an NFL mark before giving up 323 to Tennessee last week. Veteran QB Kerry Collins broke another Steelers run, compiling a passer rating of 102.1 to become the first triple digits rated passer against the Steelers this season. While Roethlisberger, James Harrison, and Ryan Clark will likely get some rest for at least part of the game, odds makers don’t figure the Browns will be able to stand up regardless. If you like Pittsburgh to roll, bet the Steelers at -10.5 at Bookmaker and receive a 20% cash sign up bonus.

The Browns, who taunted fans with a 10-win season in 2007, have caught just about every bad break imaginable in 2008. Cleveland will go to battle once again with third-string QB Ken Dorsey as both Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson have suffered season-ending injuries. The offense was the team’s strong suit a season ago, but it has currently gone 21 straight quarters with scoring an offensive touchdown. For the second straight week, Dorsey threw a pick-six and the Browns failed to gain 200 yards for the fourth straight game. One bright spot on offense was that running back Jamal Lewis became the 24th player in league history to reach the 10,000-yard mark for his career. Romeo Crennel’s job has been thought have been in jeopardy about every year, except for the last, and he return to the hot seat once again as we approach the end of the season. With last week’s loss, his record fell to 24-39 during his stint with the Bengals.

To add insult to injury, it was reported that Quinn was punched in the face by defensive end Shaun Smith following a heated argument in the team’s weight room last week.

Dorsey suffered a rib injury and a mild concussion against the Bengals which could mean that Pittsburgh native Bruce Gradkowski could get the start. Gradkowski started 11 games with Tampa Bay as a rookie in 2006 but has only thrown 29 passes since. Whichever QB takes the field Sunday will be in for a treat as the Steelers boast the league’s top rated pass defense. If you think Cleveland is getting too many points against a Steelers team with nothing left to play for, bet the Browns at +10.5 at Bookmaker.

Check out all the NFL odds this week right here at Locksmith Sports via our live lines page. If your own picks or your current service just hasn’t been getting it done, try Jimmy Boyd’s Week 17 NFL picks on for size for guaranteed winners against the NFL betting odds.

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