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Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers predictions, odds and injuries to know

akron beacon journal
·2 min read
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Browns defensive end Myles Garrett reacts after a first-half play against the Saints, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Cleveland.
Browns defensive end Myles Garrett reacts after a first-half play against the Saints, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Cleveland.

Deshaun Watson's Cleveland Browns (7-9) finish off the regular season with a trip to Pittsburgh and a date with Kenny Pickett and the Steelers (8-8).

The Steelers still have a slim chance at making the playoffs, but the Mike Tomlin-coached group will need to take care of business in their Week 18 game first. Meanwhile, the Browns just never quite figured things out in Watson's first — albeit truncated — season in Cleveland. The game kicks off Sunday at 1 p.m. ET from Acrisure Stadium.

Browns vs. Steelers:QBs Deshaun Watson, Kenny Pickett get introduction to rivalry

Jadeveon Clowney sent home:Myles Garrett wants 'volunteers, not hostages'

Here are the picks from Beacon Journal staff writers Chris Easterling and Nate Ulrich.

Chis Easterling: Steelers 23, Browns 14

Unless you can guarantee the Browns will force five Steelers turnovers and play with the lead from the very first snap, not going to pick them to win a game in the stadium formerly known as Heinz Field.

Nate Ulrich: Steelers 23, Browns 20

One team is fighting for a playoff spot. The other sent one of its best defensive players home Friday after he had gone nuclear on the organization.

Jadeveon Clowney:Defensive end won't travel to Pittsburgh, ruled out of Browns' finale against Steelers

Browns at Steelers odds, moneyline and over/under

Browns vs Steelers key injuries

Browns:

  • DE Jadeveon Clowney (not injury related) out

  • OT Jack Conklin (ankle) out

  • CB Denzel Ward Jr. (shoulder) questionable

Steelers:

  • FS Minkah Fitzpatrick (ankle) questionable

  • LB Myles Jack (groin) questionable

Can the Steelers make the playoffs

While the Browns may have been eliminated from the playoffs, the Steelers still have a chance to make it as a wild card team.

For the Steelers to make the playoffs, they need to beat the Browns, and the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins to lose. The Patriots play the Buffalo Bills and the Dolphins play the New York Jets.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers predictions