Browns host Steelers in tight AFC North showdown
The Pittsburgh Steelers travel to face the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night, both teams sitting at 2-1, with the winner taking a temporary lead in the AFC North.
Cleveland hosts an AFC North divisional matchup on Thursday night as the Pittsburgh Steelers visit the Cleveland Browns, with both teams carrying a 2-1 record into Week 4. The game takes place at Huntington Bank Field, with kickoff set for 8:15 p.m. EST according to Betway Insider (01:15 UK time, per Sporting Life), under favourable conditions of around 27°C and cloudy skies.
Both teams narrowly won their previous games: the Steelers beat the Cincinnati Bengals 30-27, while the Browns edged the Carolina Panthers 21-18.
Team form
Cleveland has won its last two games, with quarterback Deshaun Watson throwing four touchdowns without an interception over that stretch. A standout for the Browns has been tight end Harold Fannin Jr., who, according to Sporting Life, has hauled in at least 50 combined receiving yards in each of his last two outings and leads the team in receptions. Betway Insider adds that Fannin scored his first two career touchdowns in the Browns' most recent win, doubling his season reception total in that game.
Pittsburgh's secondary has taken hits: the club traded cornerback Joey Porter to the Dallas Cowboys on the morning of the game, according to Betway Insider, though this does not affect the matchup since Porter was already out with a back injury. Cornerbacks Brandin Echols (concussion) and Jalen Ramsey (wrist) are listed as questionable, while running back Rico Dowdle (toe) is ruled out for the Steelers.
For Cleveland, wide receiver Tylan Wallace, center Elgton Jenkins, guard Teven Jenkins and running back Dylan Sampson (knee) are all out. The absence of both Jenkins brothers on the offensive line could create opportunities for Pittsburgh's T.J. Watt in the pass rush.
Betting outlook
According to Betway, the Steelers are -150 moneyline favourites, with the Browns at +125. Pittsburgh is also favoured by 2.5 points, while the total is set at 38.5. Betway's analyst favours Browns +2.5 as the strongest play, citing Cleveland's home-field advantage — the Browns have won nine straight Thursday night home games and are 4-0 all-time against Pittsburgh at home on Thursdays.
The game will be broadcast in the UK on Sky Sports and via DAZN with an NFL Pass subscription, according to Sporting Life.
