Browns vs Steelers Picks, Predictions, Odds | Monday Night Football Week 2

Week 2 of the NFL regular season concludes on Monday night with what has the makings of a very meaningful AFC North showdown between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers. Coverage begins from Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh at 8:15 p.m. ET on ABC.

Here's everything you need to know about the Browns vs. Steelers Picks, Predictions, and Odds for Monday Night Football Week 2.

Browns vs Steelers Picks, Betting Prediction, Odds for Monday Night Football Week 2

Historically speaking, you won’t find many trends pointing towards Cleveland winning this one. The Browns have been the laughing stock of the AFC North for the last two decades. So, there’s all kinds of scary historical numbers that could potentially steer you away from backing Cleveland in Week 2.

The Browns are 1-19 SU and 7-13 ATS in their last 20 matchups against Pittsburgh. They are also 3-9 SU in their last 12 primetime battles against the AFC North, as a whole. While on the other side of that same coin, Pittsburgh boasts a history of consistency and greatness. The Steelers are 52-20 SU in home primetime games since 1970, and they are 19-3 in their last 22 Monday Night Football matchups dating back to 2007.

However, it might be time to throw the historical trends out the window when it comes to these two teams, because we are looking at an incredibly talented Browns squad that just trounced Cincinnati in Week 1, going up against a Steelers squad that’s only saving grace seems to be the football community’s unwavering faith in Mike Tomlin.

Nearly every member of Steeler Nation was sounding the alarms when Pittsburgh stumbled out to a miserable 2-6 start last year, jeopardizing Tomlin’s perfect track record of never having a losing season. But lo and behold, the Steelers went 7-2 down the stretch to finish 9-8, causing the narrative around this team to change dramatically during the offseason.

Sure, it was encouraging to see Pittsburgh rally back in the second half of the season and keep Tomlin’s streak alive. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The Steelers’ 7-2 run to close the year consisted of wins against Andy Dalton and the Saints, Matt Ryan and the Colts, Marcus Mariota and the Falcons, Sam Darnold and the Panthers, Tyler Huntley and the Ravens, and Derek Carr and the Raiders.

You can’t fault the Steelers for beating the teams on the schedule, but you can certainly point out the fact that their offense scored 20 points or less in five of their nine wins, and they’ve scored 20 points or less in 12 of their last 18 contests, overall. On top of that, Cleveland’s defense is really dangerous, but I don’t quite trust DeShaun Watson yet. I think we’ll see the Browns win an ugly one on Monday night. But I’m more confident in seeing a shortage of points.

Score Prediction: Browns 20, Steelers 14
Best Bet: Under 38.5 (-120)

Browns vs Steelers Betting Resources

Date: Monday, September 18, 2023
Matchup: AFC North
Venue: Acrisure Stadium
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Time-TV: ABC, 8:15 p.m. ET

Click here for Vegas Insider senior reporter Patrick Everson's full NFL Odds Week 2 Report containing spreads, lines, and trends for every NFL matchup.

Cleveland Browns Betting Analysis

In Week 1, Cleveland’s defense absolutely dominated an offense that most people consider to be borderline elite, as the Browns managed to hold Joe Burrow and the Bengals to just three points on 142 total yards on the way to a commanding 24-3 victory last Sunday.

The Bengals stumbled out to an 0-2 start last season as well, though, and still managed to reach the AFC Championship Game. So, as a result, it seems like the wide majority is dismissing Cleveland’s Week 1 accomplishments as “Bad Bengals” as opposed to “Good Browns.” But make no mistake about it, nobody has thumped this Burrow led offense harder than they got thumped last week.

Burrow completed just 14 of 31 passes for 82 yards against Cleveland in Week 1, and they struggled to get the ground game going as well, rushing 20 times for just 70 yards. Sure, Burrow is becoming notorious for starting slow, but he’s still an elite quarterback. So, if last week’s performance was any sign of what’s to come, the Browns’ defense should have a field day against Kenny Pickett and the Steelers on Monday night.

Pittsburgh Steelers Betting Analysis

I’m a huge fan of Mike Tomlin. As somebody who grew up just a stone’s throw away from the College of William & Mary, I’ve always had a great deal of respect for the former member of the Tribe, and he’s earned every ounce of respect that he receives. He’s truly one of the best coaches in the league, and he gets the best out of his team each and every season. That said, Tomlin can only do so much with the hand he’s been dealt. 

The Steelers have had some incredibly talented teams over the years, and boasted a very high level of consistency throughout the reign of Ben Rothleisberger, as Big Ben retired with a career record 166-82-1. Not only did this team finish above .500 every year during the Big Ben Era, they were also really good, winning 11+ games nine times during that span.

This is a much different Pittsburgh team now, though. The Steelers have won nine games or less in four of their last five campaigns. The narrative of Tomlin never having a losing season continues to give this team an excuse for its mediocrity over the last five years, and I just think the Browns are a better team at this point and time.

That said, I still can’t bring myself to fully trust DeShaun Watson. This just feels like it’s going to be one of those weird AFC North defensive battles that stays close all the way down to the wire. I’m taking the under, but if you like Cleveland, you won’t hear any arguments from me.

Browns vs Steelers Betting Trends

• The Browns are 4-12-1 SU in their last 17 games against Pittsburgh.
• The Browns are 3-10 SU in their last 13 road games.
• The Steelers are 4-1 SU in their last five games.
• The Steelers are 4-1 ATS in their last five games.
• The total has gone UNDER in seven of Cleveland's last eight games.
• The Browns are 2-6 ATS in their last eight games against Pittsburgh.
• The total has gone UNDER in five of Pittsburgh's last seven games.
• The total has gone OVER in four of Pittsburgh's last six games against Cleveland.
• The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Pittsburgh's last 13 home games.

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