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Sunday’s Week 17 showdown between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers looks different because of what happened during Saturday night’s game between the Baltimore Ravens and Green Bay Packers.Â
The 41-24 Ravens victory over the Packers means the Steelers need to win to claim AFC North division title — and the playoff berth that comes with it. If Cleveland upsets Pittsburgh today, Week 18 becomes winner-take-all between the Steelers and Ravens.
Sunday’s game may include the culmination of Myles Garrett’s season-long pursuit of the NFL’s single-season sack record. Garrett, who has tormented the Steelers in Cleveland in recent years, needs just one sack on Sunday to break that record that is currently shared by former Giants pass rusher Michael Strahan and current Steelers T.J. Watt.Â
Where to watch Steelers vs. Browns liveDate: Sunday, Dec. 28 | Time: 1 p.m. ETLocation: Huntington Bank Field — Cleveland, Ohio  TV: CBS | Stream: Paramount+ Follow: CBS Sports AppOdds: Steelers -3, O/U 33.5 (via DraftKings)Steelers vs. Browns: Need to know Myles the menace. Garrett sacked Steelers quarterbacks five times in Cleveland’s last two home games vs. Pittsburgh. “He’s a game wrecker,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said of Garrett earlier this week. “He provides the wave that others ride, and particularly in that environment when you’re working on silent counts and one-dimensional passing circumstances, etc. It is significant.” No DK. The Steelers will be without leading receiver DK Metcalf for this game after he was suspended for two games by the NFL stemming from his altercation with a Lions fan during Pittsburgh’s Week 16 win in Detroit. Tomlin specifically mentioned Roman Wilson has someone whom he hopes steps up amid Metcalf’s absence. A 2024 third-round pick, Wilson has 12 catches and two touchdowns this season, but his role has diminished with the recent additions of Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. More Mason? If Baltimore loses Saturday night, there’s a good chance that Mason Rudolph will either start or get significant reps Sunday in Cleveland. Rudolph has already started (and lost) two games in Cleveland: in 2019 and during the final game of the 2020 season. In the later game, he threw for a career-high 315 yards in a 24-22 loss. Cleveland doesn’t rock for Pittsburgh. Cleveland has been a house of horrors for the Steelers as of late. Since 2018, the Steelers are just 1-5-1 in Cleveland that includes three consecutive losses. Tomlin, when asked what has often led to his team’s struggles in Cleveland, kept his answer simple: “Myles Garrett.” Shedeur’s sixth start. Sunday will be Shedeur Sanders‘ introduction into one of the NFL’s oldest rivalries. Sanders’ first five starts yielded mixed results. While he has shown flashes of his potential, Sanders is nonetheless completing just 55.1% of his passes with more interceptions (8) than touchdown passes (6). Steelers vs. Browns prediction, pickÂ
Statistically, the Browns have the NFC North’s best defense, led by veteran defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. That defense has kept them in numerous games this season, and it might do so again Sunday against a Steelers offense that won’t have Metcalf and may decide to rest some of its starters if the division title is already locked up.
If the division is still up for grabs, though, I don’t see the Steelers losing this one, not with how well Rodgers has played in recent weeks. Rodgers & Co. will be highly motivated to take care of business so that they can rest in Week 18 while getting an early start on the playoffs. Pick: Steelers -3.5, Under 33.5Â