Previewing the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns Week 8 showdown

The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading to Cleveland to take on the Browns this Sunday for their second AFC North contest of the 2021 NFL season. Needing to keep from falling to 0-2 in the division, the Week 8 matchup may just be the Steelers biggest game so far this season. Add in the last time these two teams met was in the Wild Card round of the 2020 NFL postseason, the Steelers will look to avoid their first three-game losing streak to the Browns since the 80s. To do so, Ben Roethlisberger will have to pull out a game in which he is the biggest underdog against Cleveland of any game in his career, and an underdog for only the third time in 28 games versus the Browns.

Here is the game preview for the Steelers and Browns for their Week 8 matchup in Cleveland.

Teams (Records)

Pittsburgh Steelers: 3-3 (4th place in AFC North)
Cleveland Browns: 4-3 (3rd place in AFC North)

Odds (Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)

Browns (-4.5)
OVER/UNDER: 41.5
Moneyline: Steelers +175; Browns -210

Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.

Last 5 Games

Steelers: 2-3
Browns: 3-2

Injury Report

Steelers:
TE Eric Ebron (Hamstring) - Out
LB Melvin Ingram III (Groin) - Doubtful

Browns:
S Richard LeCounte III (Not Injury Related) - Out
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones (Groin) - Out
CB Denzel Ward (Hamstring) - Out
WR Odell Beckham Jr. (Shoulder) - Questionable
DE Jadeveon Clowney (Ankle, Goin, Knee) - Questionable
CB A.J. Green (Groin) - Questionable
DE Malik Jackson (Ankle) - Questionable
DE Takkarist Mckinley (Groin) - Questionable
FB Johnny Stanton (Calf) - Questionable

News and Notes

The Steelers’ second AFC North matchup of the season has already been one that appears to loom large in moving forward through the 2021 season. With the Steelers sitting at a record of .500, all of their losses have come against teams who currently lead their division, as well as a victory over another team who is also a division leader. In all, in the Steelers’ three losses in 2021, their opponents combined records are 17-5 after Green Bay’s victory on Thursday night.

As for the Browns, the combined record of the three teams to whom they have lost in 2021 are 14–7. Their victories have come over two teams at the bottom of their division in the AFC and two teams hovering just at or below .500 in the NFC. Dealing with a number of injuries, Cleveland will get quarterback Baker Mayfield and running back Nick Chubb back in the lineup after missing Week 7.

With the only common opponent the two teams have faced in 2020 being victories over the Denver Broncos, Sunday’s matchup between the AFC North rivals will go a long way in determining where both teams stand in the hierarchy of the AFC. Having the advantage of getting the Steelers on their home field, the Browns are looking to show they are a playoff team yet again. As for the Steelers, they are looking for a chance to get above .500 for the first time since Week 1 and could use a key AFC North victory to build momentum moving forward this season.

Be sure to stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the black and gold for all the coverage of their game with Cleveland Browns game on the road in Week 8 of the 2021 regular season.