Browns vs Steelers Prediction, Odds & Best Bets for Week 18 (Defense Keeps Pittsburgh's Playoff Hopes Alive)

Browns vs Steelers Week 18 Game Info

2022 NFL Regular Season — Week 18
Cleveland Browns (7-9, 3-5 Away) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8, 3-4 Home)
Date: Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Acrisure Stadium — Pittsburgh, PA
Coverage: CBS

The Cleveland Browns will look to play spoiler when they face off against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 18 NFL action. The Browns are coming off a 24-20 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday. Quarterback Deshaun Watson tossed 3 touchdowns for the first time in a Cleveland uniform.

Meanwhile, the Steelers mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter to defeat the Baltimore Ravens by a score of 16-13 in Week 17. Running back Najee Harris shined with 123 total yards and 1 touchdown on 24 touches. T.J. Watt tallied another sack and Minkah Fitzpatrick nabbed an interception, too.

Browns vs Steelers Odds & Spread

All NFL betting lines, odds and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
Moneyline: CLE: (+130) | PIT: (-154)
Spread: CLE: +2.5 (-104) | PIT: -2.5 (-118)
Total: 39.5 — Over: (-115) | Under: (-105)

The Steelers enter this contest as slight home favorites on the moneyline and spread on FanDuel Sportsbook's odds. This 1 p.m. ET clash also features one of the lower totals on the Week 18 slate at 39.5 points.

Browns vs Steelers Prediction & Pick

A win over the Browns coupled with a loss/tie by both the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins means the Steelers would be in the NFL Playoffs. Pittsburgh's motivation is clear, but keep in mind so is Cleveland's. Keeping a division rival out of the playoffs would be a great way to end the season.

When it comes down to it, I trust head coach Mike Tomlin to have a game plan ready to go for Sunday. The Steelers play physical football and their defense has been on fire over the last three weeks. They are allowing an average of only 13.0 points (No. 5 in NFL) on 216.7 total yards (No. 1 in NFL) per game.

Pittsburgh is also 18-1 straight up in its last 19 home games against Cleveland. I'll back the Steelers with confidence.

Final Score Prediction: Browns: 14 | Steelers: 20

Browns vs Steelers Betting Trends

- Cleveland is 3-9 straight up in its last 12 away games.
- The total has hit the under in each of Cleveland's last six games.
- Pittsburgh is 5-1 against the spread (ATS) in its last six games.
- The total has hit the under in nine of Pittsburgh's last 11 home games.

Browns vs Steelers Best Bet

A total set at 39.5 may not seem high, but it is high for this game given the Steelers are involved. The total has hit the under in four of Pittsburgh's last five games overall and in nine of its last 11 home games. On the season, the Steelers are averaing 17.5 points and allowing 20.8 points per contest.

It's worth noting that the total has hit the under in each of Cleveland's last six games as well. These teams haven't met head-to-head since Week 3 and a lot has changed since that point. Both sides are starting different quarterbacks and exceeding expectations on defense, so back a low-scoring affair.

Bet: Under 39.5 Points (-110)

Larry Rupp is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Larry Rupp also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username phillyfan424. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel. 

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.