Browns vs. Steelers Predictions, Picks & Odds: NFL Week 14, Sunday 12/8
After getting to enjoy an epic AFC North rivalry in the snow on Thursday Night Football in Week 12, the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers are right back at it again this Sunday. We know how meaningful these rivalry games are, which is why we’ve provided you with our Browns vs. Steelers predictions.
That ultimately means a best bet from our Browns vs. Steelers picks, which we’ll be adding to with a $150 DraftKings Sportsbook sign up bonus!
Browns vs. Steelers Predictions For NFL Week 14, Sunday 12/8
As expected, the Browns vs. Steelers matchup two weeks ago was a physical, grind-it-out type of AFC North rivalry game. However, both of these teams followed up that performance in the most polarizing way with the two biggest shootouts of Week 13.
Pittsburgh snuck by the Cincinnati Bengals 44-38, and more recently, the Cleveland Browns lost on Monday Night Football to the Denver Broncos by a final score of 41-32. So, now the question is whether or not these were outliers or not, and perhaps even if we should consider markets outside the standard lines.
The latter is the approach that we’re going to take, but before we get into the top pick from our Browns vs. Steelers predictions, let’s further look at each team.
Cleveland Browns: Performing In House
As much as we’d love to make this week’s storyline in Cleveland about QB Jameis Winston, he provides us with worthwhile quotes on a virtually daily basis, so we always have those opportunities. Instead, we’re going to focus on the divisional rivalry aspect of this game.
When we say in-house, we know that this game is in Pittsburgh, but we mean the AFC North. Cleveland has been a pest within the division this season, upsetting both the Steelers and Baltimore Ravens already this season, who are the two battling for the division crown. Sitting at 3-9 playing spoiler is likely one of the biggest motivators for the Browns right now.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Stealing The AFC North
Speaking of the Steelers battling the Ravens for the AFC North title, a win here could be a massive step in that direction. With the Ravens having lost this past Sunday, they have a 1.5-game lead in the division and a game against Baltimore left on the board.
This is a spot virtually no one had Pittsburgh in prior to the season, but despite plenty of QB drama, they’re absolutely a contender in the AFC. They have a very tough home stretch of the season, but revenge will be fresh on their minds given the recent Thursday Night Football loss to the Browns.
Browns vs. Steelers Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines
We’re going to focus on the player prop markets for the best bet from our Browns vs. Steelers predictions, but we’ve still got the latest standard Browns vs. Steelers odds at DraftKings Sportsbook for you below:
- Point Spread: Cleveland Browns +6 (-112) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers -6 (-108)
- Money Line: Cleveland Browns (+215) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (-265)
- Game Total (Over/Under): Over 43 (-110) vs. Under 43 (-110)
Browns vs. Steelers Best Bet: Najee Harris Anytime TD Scorer (-130 at DraftKings Sportsbook)
We noted early that the focus of our Browns vs. Steelers predictions would be a player prop, and that would be Pittsburgh RB Najee Harris. It’s not the most outside-the-box pick, and if it does seem that way, it won’t take us long to explain why it shouldn’t be.
As much as we’d love to back another low-scoring AFC North rivalry game, it takes just a few big moments to squander that. While that is the case for every game, there is simply more value in what we consider to be a fantastic matchup for Harris.
The Alabama product is one of the few workhorses left in the NFL, and while RB Jaylen Warren does get some carries, Harris is still the bell cow. With the recent win over the Bengals, all of the discussion has been about QB Russell Wilson and the Steelers passing game emerging against a division rival.
While those discussions may be warranted, Harris still got 16 carries and found the endzone in the midst of that huge passing attack game. He was held out of the endzone against Cleveland two weeks ago, but we trust that he can avenge that situation this Sunday.
The Browns have allowed 17 rushing touchdowns this season, which is tied for the fourth-most in the NFL. It was Warren who scored against Cleveland two weeks ago, but don’t worry - Harris still got the bulk of the carries with 16 yet again. Therefore, we’re comfortable making the best bet from our Browns vs. Steelers picks on Najee Harris to score an anytime touchdown scorer (-130 at DraftKings Sportsbook).
Browns vs. Steelers Injury Report & Latest News
As with any matchup, it’s always important to have the latest injury news, but for this AFC North rivalry, there are little to no major storylines. That’s always good news to see the best on the field, especially this late in the season. Even with that being the case, it never hurts to have the latest NFL injury report courtesy of Fantasy Alarm.
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Player News
Colts claimed DT Eric Johnson II off waivers from the Patriots.
A 2022 fifth-round pick of the Colts, Johnson spent two years in Indy before last year’s sojourn in Boston. Waived at final cuts last summer, Johnson was claimed by the Pats. He’s been a steady special teamer and rotational depth piece up front. Johnson’s Colts experience greatly enhances his 53-man roster odds, but his spot will be far from a given. He turns 27 in July.
NBC Sports’ Matt Maiocco reports that the 49ers and OT D.J. Humphries do not have a deal in place.
Humphries reported on his social media account a few weeks ago that he had agreed to a contract with the 49ers, but that does not appear to be the case. At least for now. Humphries tore his ACL at the end of the 2023 season and was released by the Cardinals. He spent most of the 2024 season rehabbing before signing with the Chiefs. He started at left tackle in Week 14 before hurting his hamstring and missing the rest of the season. He will continue to search for another opportunity.
Patriots DT Christian Barmore (blood clots) will be ready to play in Week 1.
Barmore was limited to just four games last season while battling blood clots. He told reporters on Thursday that he’s been cleared for all football activity and has been a full participant in the Patriots’ offseason workout program. He expects to be fully ready by Week 1.
Raiders hired Brandon Hunt as Vice President of Player Personnel
Hunt was most recently the senior director of scouting for the Philadelphia Eagles and spent the previous two seasons as their director of scouting. Before joining the Eagles, Hunt spent 12 seasons (2010-21) as the pro scouting coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
ESPN’s Seth Wickersham reports Caleb Williams considered forcing a pre-draft trade from the Bears before ultimately deciding he could win in Chicago.
In other words, he mulled pulling an Elway. “Chicago is the place quarterbacks go to die,” were the words of Caleb’s father Carl to ESPN’s Seth Wickersham. Williams reportedly desired a trade to the Vikings, but he changed his mind after touring the Bears’ facility. “I can do it for this team,” Caleb reportedly told his dad. “I’m going to go to the Bears.” Williams acknowledged any attempt to force a trade would require going scorched earth on the Bears and city of Chicago, a process he did not have the stomach for. There have been zero reports of Bears/Williams drama since he made his peace with the idea, even after former coach Matt Eberflus’ clown show 2024 mistakes. It’s an interesting story, but one firmly planted in the past.
49ers signed No. 11 pick EDGE Mykel Williams to a four-year contract.
The deal is worth $24.9 million and is fully guaranteed. As is the case with all first-round picks, his contract includes a fifth-year option. The 49ers shed hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts this offseason and the bulk of those savings came on the defensive side of the ball. Defensive end was an obvious position of need and Williams was widely regarded as the best pass-rusher on the board when 49ers GM John Lynch was on the clock. Williams totaled five sacks in 2024 and left Georgia with 14 sacks across three seasons as a starter.