NFL Handicapping: Browns vs Steelers

If familiarity breeds contempt, there should be animosity aplenty on Sunday when the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers meet at Heinz Field. Oddsmakers currently have the Steelers listed as 14½-point favorites versus the Browns, while the game's total is sitting at 38. The Browns defeated Buffalo 6-3 as a 5.5-point underdog in Week 5. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (42). Derek Anderson passed for only 23 yards with an interception for Cleveland, while Jamal Lewis rushed for 117 yards on 31 carries The Steelers defeated Detroit 28-20 as an 11-point favorite in Week 5. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (44). Ben Roethlisberger passed for 277 yards with three touchdowns for Pittsburgh, while Rashard Mendenhall rushed for 77 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries in the win. Current streak: Pittsburgh has won 2 straight games. Team records: Cleveland: 1-4 SU, 2-3 ATS Pittsburgh: 3-2 SU, 1-4 ATS Cleveland most recently: When playing in October are 6-4 When playing on grass are 0-10 After being outgained are 1-9 When playing within the division are 2-8 Pittsburgh most recently: When playing in October are 6-4 When playing on grass are 8-2 After outgaining opponent are 7-3 When playing within the division are 8-2 A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland's last 5 games on the road The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 7 games The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland's last 7 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh Cleveland is 2-7 ATS in its last 9 games Pittsburgh is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home Pittsburgh is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Cleveland Pittsburgh is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland Pittsburgh is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games at home Next up: Cleveland home to Green Bay, Sunday, October 25 Pittsburgh home to Minnesota, Sunday, October 25