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The Pittsburgh Steelers need to defeat the Cleveland Browns in Week 17, and the Buffalo Bills to defeat the New York Jets at home for Pittsburgh to punch their ticket to the postseason. There are a lot of question marks in this scenario, but no one should overlook the Browns, especially after the Steelers' dismal performance in Week 16 which saw them lose control of their playoff destiny.
The Steelers enter the game looking for offensive redemption. After registering at least 30 points in six straight games, the high flying offense led by Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown was stifled for just 17 points against the Ravens, and the Baltimore defense forced Roethlisberger into two costly interceptions.
If the Cleveland Browns want to stand a chance in Week 17 they will have to duplicate the game plan the Ravens deployed to near perfection. Control the game with a solid running game, keeping Pittsburgh's potent offense off the field, and frustrating the team which prides itself on being able to push the ball down the field to Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton, Heath Miller and Martavis Bryant.
If the Browns aren't able to duplicate this game plan, it could be a long game for the home team. However, with most experts likely taking the double-digit favorite Steelers in Week 17, are there any willing to take the Browns in a monumental upset?
At ESPN, it is a clean sweep for the experts, in regards to taking the Steelers to win in Week 17. The same can be said at FOXSports and CBSSports. There was one site which had an expert pick the Browns, and it was none other than right here at SB Nation.
Our friends at NFL Pick Watch, a website dedicated to taking all expert picks and placing them all in one convenient location, have 99-percent of experts taking the Steelers in this AFC North showdown. There was a heavy majority of experts taking the Steelers against the Ravens in Week 16, and we all know how that game turned out. Here is hoping the Steelers can take care of their end of the scenario, and they receive a late Christmas gift in the Bills beating the Jets to punch their ticket to the playoffs.