One last week of the most unique and trying regular season ever in the history of the National Football League. We’ve been picking games the entire time. Hopefully, there will be four more Steelers games to prognosticate. Who will it be with bragging rights this week against the Browns?
Michael Beck, Deputy Editor, The Live Mike, Know Your Enemy, The Mike Tomlin Post-Game Press Conference Recap
I see a world where Baker Mayfield crumbles under the pressure and coughs up the ball on a number of occasions. But the cast surrounding Mason Rudolph will feature a lot of borderline NFL players that just won’t be able to put up enough points. The Steelers will lose the game but win the day when they escape Cleveland with a healthy team.
Steelers 13, Browns 20
Geoffrey Benedict, Know Your Enemy
I don’t know who’s going to actually be playing for either team, but I am excited to see the Steelers run more of the play-action and Matt Canada inspired plays they worked on all season but Ben doesn’t run well. It’s also Steelers/Browns. If it’s Brown, you know what to do.
Steelers 21, Browns 17
Bryan Anthony Davis, Podcast Producer, The Hangover, Steelers Preview, Steelers Post-Game Show, The Steelers Retro Show, Fact or Fiction, The Rooting Guide, BTSC Radio Wire, Here We Go Steelers Pre-Game Show
The Browns are fighting for their playoff lives and the Steelers aren’t as worried about the second seed by resting numerous starters. Al I hope for is that the Steelers are creative and passionate. Win or lose.
Browns 20, Steelers 17
Mark Davison, Steelers Touchdown Under
The Cleveland Browns have not made a postseason in Eighteen years. A big question for this game and the future Brownies going forward will be, Can Baker Mayfield come in clutch and take care of the Pittsburgh Steelers? The Steelers are sitting out many players and resting them for the playoffs. With that being said, Will Cleveland take care of business or will they have to try again next year?
I hope the Steelers win and the Browns’ playoff drought continues.
Steelers 23, Browns 19
Anthony Defeo, Steelers Friday Night Six Pack with Tony, The Hangover and The Steelers Retro Show
The Steelers have basically wrapped up all they need to wrap up. The Browns are going to be desperate to avoid missing the playoffs yet again. I see Cleveland pulling out all the Stops.
Browns 28, Steelers 10
Jeff Hartman, BTSC Co-Editor, Let’s Ride, Steelers Preview, Steelers Post-Game Show, Steelers Injury Report Podcast, Mike Tomlin Press Conference Recap
Things look bleak for the Steelers. No Ben Roethlisberger, no Cam Heyward, no Maurkice Pouncey, no T.J. Watt and now no Joe Haden, Eric Ebron or Cassius Marsh due to COVID-19 concerns. But let’s not forget the Browns have issues of their own. I will be in the minority here, and that’s okay, but I see Mason Rudolph getting some poetic justice on Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium, and what better way than by putting the Browns out of the playoffs.
Steelers 26, Browns 24
Matty Peverell, Steelers Touchdown Under
Steelers fans get to see if Mason Rudolph has developed since starting 8 games last year and almost getting them into the playoffs off the back of the league’s best defense. BUT with key players rightly being rested, several more joining the COVID-19 list as the hours progress for both teams, can Rudolph lead this Steelers ‘B Team’ to a win and send the Browns into the offseason not the playoffs for firsts time in 18 years? We’ll see tomorrow. I want to go with my head and say Steelers to lose by 8 but I’m gonna go with my heart, Steelers to win by 3 (I said 2 but I meant to say 3 on the Sco Bro Show).
Steelers 20, Browns 17
Big Bro Scho, The Scho Bro Show
You aren't going to see many of the Steelers normal starting players in this game. The Steelers don't have much to play for, and everything is on the line for the Browns. The Steelers reserves play with pride, but the Browns regulars will be playing with desperation. The Steelers are able to keep the game close, but in the end Browns are able to pull out the victory.
Steelers 20, Browns 26
Dave Schofield, BTSC Co-Editor, The Scho Bro Show, Steelers Preview, Steelers Post-Game podcast, Steelers Stat Geek
I just don’t think the Steelers play their starters (the ones who actually made the trip) long enough to win. I see the Steelers with the ball at the end of the game where they need a touchdown to win but coming up short. Don’t let Bryan Anthony Davis fool you by trying to take my score as he said 20-17 on The Steelers Preview podcast.
Browns 24, Steelers 20
Note: Sorry, Dave. I did say 20-17. I have changed my score back to that. Thanks for keeping me accountable. BAD
K.T. Smith, Here We Go Steelers Pre-Game Show
I’m excited to watch Mason Rudolph play. I’m of the belief that this is quite possibly a make-it or break-it game for him. A strong performance could induce the Steelers into keeping him in consideration as Ben Roethlisberger’s successor while a poor outing might be the evidence they need to move on to someone else. This alone makes the contest compelling. That said, I believe Cleveland will win. The opportunity to clinch their first playoff berth since 2002, at home, against the Steelers, will be too great for them to screw up. But not by much.
Browns 24, Steelers 17
Shannon White, Editorial Contributor
Although I am forever optimistic, I am already on record multiple times this season proclaiming that the Steelers would be competing for the number one overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft without Ben Roethlisberger's presence this year, not playing a meaningless game after already clinching the division last week. The Steelers are more concerned with finishing the game as healthy as possible than actually winning it, or they should be. Some guys will be fighting for their future in the Black and Gold, and I hope they give a performance they can be proud of. I doubt it will result in a Steelers victory.
Steelers 17 Browns 27
Chris Pokorny, editor, Dawgs by Nature
It won’t be easy. Pittsburgh is resting several key players, but I know they’ll still have a lot of good players in the game who are motivated to put on their best performance. I don’t expect the Steelers’ level of aggression to stop either. I like the fact that T.J. Watt is sitting, because he’s the guy, like Garrett, who can single-handedly change any game. If Cleveland has all of their offensive linemen back and healthy, they can hold up in protection. Defensively, I don’t know what to expect. My biggest hope is that Mason Rudolph comes out and just has a really bad game. I know Pittsburgh’s offensive line can still protect very well, and with our top two linebackers and top cornerback out, the Steelers should find a lot of room to run the ball and get open crossing routes with their receivers, especially in third down situations. I’m predicting the Browns to win, maybe by a score of 27-17, but I’m not resting easy at all about this game. The crazy thing is that in a playoff game, I’d feel different and more confident in the Browns — not necessarily to win, but to give it their all and hope for the best. But the thought of missing the playoffs after how good this season has been is so stressful. I’ve been blogging for Dawgs By Nature since I started the site in February 2006, and I still haven’t been able to blog for one single playoff game. I just want that chance, dammit.
Browns 27, Steelers 17
What is your prediction? Which BTSC contributor is most on the money? Let us know in the poll and the comment section below!!
Poll
Which BTSC contributor will be most on the mark in predicting the Steelers at Browns?
This poll is closed
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4%
Michael Beck
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7%
Geoffrey Benedict
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0%
Bryan Anthony Davis
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2%
Mark Davison
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16%
Tony Defeo
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19%
Jeff Hartman
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16%
Matt Peverell
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2%
Big Bro Scho
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3%
Dave Schofield
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5%
K.T. Smith
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3%
Shannon White
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15%
Chris Pokorny