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Steelers Open as Narrow Favorites for Wild Card Matchup With Browns

By michael obermuller

The Pittsburgh Steelers open up as narrow favorites at home against the Cleveland Browns on Wildcard Weekend.
The Pittsburgh Steelers open up as narrow favorites at home against the Cleveland Browns on Wildcard Weekend. / Jamie Sabau/Getty Images
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In a rare NFL home and away, the AFC North rival Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns will play a rematch on Wildcard Weekend. The Browns were able to defeat the Steelers and clinch a playoff berth in Cleveland during Week 17, but Pittsburgh rested Ben Roethlisberger in the loss.

The long-time Steelers signal-caller has had the Browns number over the course of his career, leading Pittsburgh to a 23-2-1 record (12-0 at home) against Cleveland. Despite this all-time record under Big Ben, the home team only opens as 3.5-point favorites on FanDuel Sportsbook.

If there was ever a time for the Browns to finally snap this run of dominance by the Steel City, this is it. Cleveland has changed the narrative about their franchise under Kevin Stefanski in 2020, with their first playoff appearance since 2002, and they have done it with an impressive offensive line and rushing attack.

The Steelers also had an all-time year, going 11-0 to start the season for the first time in franchise history, on the backs of a tremendous defense. They followed that up by going 1-4 to finish the season.

Mike Tomlin has been as harsh as anyone about his team's recent run of play, but a two-point loss in Cleveland with Mason Rudolph at quarterback is somewhat encouraging. Especially when you consider that the Steelers thrashed Baker Mayfield and the Browns, 38-7, at home earlier this season.

For all NFL Playoff odds and updated lines, follow along with FanDuel Sportsbook throughout the week. As of now, it's still Pittsburgh's game to lose.

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Michael Obermuller is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Michael Obermuller also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username king_mizzard. 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.

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