Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers Total Pick

As the sun sets on September 18, 2023, the Cleveland Browns (1-0) will clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1) at Acrisure Stadium, a battle kicking off at 8:15 PM. The Browns are coming in hot while the Steelers are looking to bounce back. Yet, the star WRs - Amari Cooper for the Browns and Diontae Johnson for the Steelers - won't be lighting up the field due to injuries. Let's dissect the numbers and see why the under could be the play here.

Recent Games Review

Cleveland Browns

Coming off a dominant victory over the Bengals, the Browns showcased a defense that seems to have plugged all its holes, restricting their opponent to a mere field goal. On the other side of the ball, they have managed to put up a decent 24 points, promising a solid play this season.

Pittsburgh Steelers

It was a tough opening week for the Steelers, who couldn't find their rhythm against the 49ers, both offensively and defensively. The 7-30 defeat highlighted the areas they need to work on, with a significant gap in both the offensive and defensive plays. However, seasoned handicappers know better than to count the Steelers out after just one week.

Why the "Under" is the Play

• Defensive Showcase by Browns: Cleveland’s defense started the season with a bang, showcasing their ability to control the game by allowing just 3 points in their opener. Expect them to bring the same heat against the Steelers.
• Steelers' Offensive Struggles: Pittsburgh is coming off a week where their offense seemed to lack bite, managing only 7 points. With the Browns' defense looking robust, the Steelers might find it hard to rack up points.
• Key Absences on Both Sides: Both teams may be missing their star WRs Amari Cooper (doubtful) and Diontae Johnson ( ruled out), which could mean fewer touchdowns and big plays. This scenario generally favors an under play as teams might lack that offensive spark.
• Head-to-Head History: Although their last meetup totaled 42 points, exceeding the current total line, a deeper look into their history shows a trend of gritty, defensive battles that often have Under bettors cashing their tickets.
• Betting Trends Favoring the "Under": The betting trends are leaning heavily towards the "under", with the Browns having 7 of their last 8 games going under and the Steelers seeing the "under" hit in 5 of their last 7 games.