NFL AFC Wild Card Match Prediction-Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers

These teams play again with each other. They played each other LAST WEEK and square off in this AFC North Wild Card match. The Cleveland Browns won that game as the Steelers rested Ben Roethlisberger. They just managed to clinch a playoff spot as that division had 3/4ths of the division going to the Wild Card. The Steelers had sacked Baker Mayfield 4 times but couldn’t get him to lose a fumble or throw an interception as they are very good at doing so. In the first matchup between these teams in the season the Steelers destroyed the Browns 38-7. In that game Mayfield threw two picks and got sacked plenty. This game will be an interesting AFC Division battle and I am curious to see who will win.

The Browns made the playoffs after 18 years; in 2002 and in that year lost to the Steelers in the Wild Card round and they are at this same stage right now but have not played. This season is something to be proud of for them. You probably remember them always having losing seasons but they really deserved to make it to the postseason this year. An 11-5 record sent them to Pittsburgh for the Wild Card on a Sunday Night game. Baker Mayfield is having a great year and has been a huge part of making the playoffs. His team’s offense is getting better year by year and he is getting receivers which are really helping him. He got a new Head Coach Kevin Stefanski who used to be the Minnesota Viking’s offensive coordinator. Odell Beckham Jr. is currently injured and will miss the rest of the season due to a torn ACL but he has been explosive this season. He had some great jet sweep rushes and receiving ones. It is a huge blow for the Browns but coming into this game they look pretty strong and hard to break. Let’s see if T.J Watt and the Steelers defense can prevent the damage the Browns can do if they are at their best. I don’t expect the Browns defense to stop Ben Roethlisberger and those lovely receivers so the offense will have to try to stay right next to the Steelers all game. The last time they made it to the divisional rounds was 1994 and even then they lost to the Steelers. In this game they can end their drought and finally beat Pittsburgh. They have a lot to prove as the underdogs and could make some history in Cleveland. Browns fans were waiting for this forever and the time has come, the Cleveland Browns are in the Wild Card after 19 disappointing years.

In the Steeler’s last five games they are 1-4. Before that, 11-0. They got washed up in the last 5 games and have not been performing their best. If they want to beat their next door rival Cleveland they have to play good football. If the Steelers leave anything on the table the Browns will snatch that chance and take advantage. They need to put everything they got because don’t underestimate the Cleveland Browns and what they are capable of doing. The Pittsburgh defense is great and have to show that by stopping Baker Mayfield. Sack him, strip the ball out, and get some picks. If Mayfield stays turnover-free the Steelers are in trouble. They are strong and force him to get incompletions and punts. The Browns defense is not that good so Ben Roethlisberger will surely get some passing touchdowns and points on the board. Some notable receivers are Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, and Eric Ebron. They are Roethlisberger’s number one targets and are great. Chase Claypool is a second round draft pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and is spectacular. He is speedy and has been useful in many circumstances. Diontae Johnson is really great also. I would say he is the number 1 receiver and has plenty of catches/yards every game. Lastly, they picked up Eric Ebron the former Indianapolis Colts tight end and he has been a hot red zone target. He has a lot of drops but a lot of touchdowns this year. This trio has made the difference most of the time and are really important players on this team. They can play much better than they are already playing and lets see if that comes in this game.

I think the Steelers will win this game 28-27. Yes, they are coming out of a rough couple games but the defense is reliable and the offense’s pass game has been magical all year. The run has been inconsistent with COVID and injuries but the passing has been the key for them. The Browns are a team which has surprised us but the Steeler’s defense is really good and don’t give up points easily. The Steeler’s will shake of that rust and move on farther into the playoffs. They have a lot in them but just have to utilize it more and will do so. Cleveland’s defense is fairly weak and I think that will cost them. They probably won’t be able to cover that receiver trio that well and will give up big plays. I think it will be a very very close game but the Steelers will win by one point.

A game at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh will decide the outcome. The last game of the Wild Card rounds is a divisional one. Will the Cleveland Browns shock the Steelers on a prime-time game away or will the Pittsburgh Steelers stay strong and clean themselves with beating the Browns? It sure will be a nerve racking game to end the Wild Card Weekend.

THE END