Cleveland Brown at Pittsburgh Steelers 2010 NFL Predictions, Odds, and Picks Week 6: The Cleveland Browns travel to AFC North rival Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday at 1:00 PM ET at Heinz Field with 2 quarterbacks likely to start for the first time this season. The Steelers are happy to have back from suspension 2 time Super Bowl winning quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to call the plays for an offense that held its own just enough to assist the vaunted defense and score enough points to win 3 of 4 before his return. The Browns are not so lucky, Cleveland is 1-4 and with quarterbacks Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace injured will likely look for rookie Colt McCoy to make his NFL debut at starting QB against one of the best defenses in the NFL. “Everybody’s got to get their feet wet at some point. … It’s only the Steelers, right? Coming off a bye week? They don’t blitz much,” head football coach Eric Mangini joked. The Steelers are 9-1 SU against the Browns this century and lead the NFL in scoring defense by allowing just 12.5 points per game. The odds makers at Bodog have the Pittsburgh Steelers -13 1/2 point favorites at home against the Cleveland Browns.
The Steelers are coming off a bye and previously their first loss of the season 17-14 at home to the Baltimore Ravens. Reserve quarterback Charlie Batch completed 12 of 21 passes for 141 yards and an interception hitting Antwan Randle El twice for 50 yards. Running back Rashard Mendenhall carried the load 25 times for 79 yards and two touchdowns. “There’s always some anxiety that comes with getting back to action, so we’ll have to sort through those feelings this week.” — Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. The team is very happy to have Big Ben back. Vegas odds makers have the Pittsburgh Steelers as +1000 odds to win the 2011 Super Bowl.
Cleveland is 1-4 coming off a loss to the Atlanta Falcons and 2-3 against the spread for the season and with a trip to Pittsburgh and a rookie quarterback it will be an uphill battle. Mangini has concerns as well. “You can’t force the ball into spots against this defense, you can’t do it,” said Mangini. “There are too many opportunities when you do that for them to make big plays. You have just got to be smart and you’ve got to make good decisions and you’ve got to go to the open player and make good reads and do a good job of controlling the defense with your eyes and understanding what’s happening. Those are the things that I expect from him.” Cleveland is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh. Vegas odds makers have the over/under for the total score at 37 1/2 points combined of the Cleveland Brown and Pittsburgh Steelers.
I predict a Steeler win and cover so give the points to win. Go Steelers! Note: Rich Fritz is a Blog Writer on NSAwins.com and not a pro handicapper. For expert NFL Football Predictions against the vegas spreads please visit the NSAwins.com homepage for top predictions today from the National Sports Advisors.