This Thursday Night Football clash is a great way to start Week Four. It is an all-AFC North affair between two sides at 2-1, with the main question being whether the Browns can keep winning.
The Steelers have beaten the Falcons 20-13 in Week One and the Bengals 30-27 last week, losing to the Patriots 20-3 in between. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, reunited with head coach Mike McCarthy, has completed 66 of 113 passes for 700 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. Running back Jaylen Warren has been Rodgers’ main target, with 216 yards on 38 carries and 10 receptions for 110 yards. Wide receiver Roman Wilson has 11 receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown, while tight end Pat Freiermuth has 11 receptions for 108 yards and a touchdown.
The Browns are the surprise package this year. They lost to the Jaguars 34-10 in Week One, but have followed that with two close wins over the Buccaneers (23-19) and Panthers (21-18). Quarterback Deshaun Watson has completed 56 of 82 passes for 587 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. Wide receiver Denzel Boston has nine receptions for 195 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Quinshon Judkins has 124 yards on 42 carries. Tight end Harold Fannin also has two touchdowns, along with 126 yards from 14 receptions.
The biggest news coming out of Pittsburgh this week was the trade of cornerback Joey Porter Jr. to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2027 sixth-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick. This leaves the Steelers short at cornerback. Jalen Ramsey is limited in practice with a wrist injury, while Brandin Echols is in the concussion protocol. That is an area the Browns can exploit with Watson’s arm, and it should also give Cleveland’s run game more room to operate.
Prediction – Despite the issues at cornerback for the Steelers, I think Pittsburgh wins by seven points.
Bet Builder – Steelers win, Fannin and Boston anytime touchdown scorers, Jaylen Warren over 75.5 rushing yards, and Fannin over 4.5 receptions – Sky Bet odds 91.57/1 (£10 wins £925.69).
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