The 2019 NFL season is in full swing, and we're here with a betting preview for Thursday night's game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns.
The Steelers have won four straight to move into second place in the AFC North at 5-4. The Browns, meanwhile, won last week to snap a four-game skid and sit at 3-6.
ESPN betting analyst Joe Fortenbaugh, fantasy's Mike Clay and sports betting deputy editor David Bearman combine to offer their best bets for the matchup of division rivals.
Note: Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook, unless otherwise noted. Odds as of Wednesday.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns (-3, 40.5)
Steelers +3
Bearman: I'm still not buying Cleveland. I thought the Browns would turn it around at Denver two weeks ago and then watched them stink it up. They earned a late push and a straight-up win vs. Buffalo last week, but by no means was it impressive. Remember that blowout win over Baltimore in Week 4? That was the Browns' most recent cover. As for the Steelers, after the Monday night halftime wake-up call vs. the Dolphins, they've looked impressive in wins over the Colts and Rams. The defense, which made Jared Goff look like rookie year Jared Goff, is up to third in Football Outsiders' DVOA. If the Steelers harass Baker Mayfield in the same manner that they did Goff, it'll be a long night for Mayfield in Cleveland.
