Joe Gavazzi
Steelers -5.5
At first glance, this seems like an odd call for our NFL STEAMROLLER of the week. QB McCown, a far better choice than QB Manziel the last two weeks, takes over the signal caller spot for the Browns in this one. The Steelers, meanwhile, are most probably without their starting Center, Pouncey, starting RB, Bell, and starting QB in Roethlisberger. In baseball terms, that makes the Steelers weak up the middle. That thrusts third string QB Landry Jones into the signal caller spot, with RB Deangelo Williams toting the rock. That is exactly what the game plan must be for a 5-4 SU Pittsburgh team who believes they have a Wild Card in their grasp, against a 2-7 SU, 3-6 ATS Cleveland Browns team who has lost four consecutive starts, and scored only 36 points combined in their most recent three games. But let’s get back to those numbers that make this game plan of QB Jones handing the ball to RB William so successful. At the point of attack, Cleveland is allowing opponents to run 31 times a game for 148/4.7. THAT IS THE WORST RUSH DEFENSE IN THE NFL. The Steelers are averaging 133/5.1 overland. They would be crazy to do anything other than run the football against this opponent. Especially after seeing division foe Cincinnati crush Cleveland 31-10 last Thursday night with a 152-69 overland advantage. It’s not like the Browns aren’t losing on this field, which has happened 11 straight times by an average of 14 PPG.