Browns at Steelers
THE STORY: The Pittsburgh Steelers have an outside chance of wrapping up a playoff berth this week, and playing one of their favorite opponents certainly won't hurt their chances. Pittsburgh goes for its fourth consecutive victory and eighth win in nine games when it hosts the struggling Cleveland Browns on Thursday night. It shapes up as a mighty uphill struggle for the punchless Browns, who have dropped 14 of the last 15 to the Steelers and haven't won in Pittsburgh since 2003. The Steelers are in a four-way tie with New England, Houston and Baltimore for the best record in the AFC.
TV: NFL Network, 8:20 p.m. ET. LINE: Steelers -14, O/U 38.5
ABOUT THE BROWNS (4-8): Cleveland is playing the first of three straight road games before closing out the season at home against Pittsburgh. The Browns managed only 233 yards of total offense in a 24-10 loss to Baltimore last week. It marked the 10th time this season they have been held to 17 points or fewer. Cleveland allowed 290 yards rushing by the Ravens, including 204 by Ray Rice. QB Colt McCoy failed to throw for 200 yards for the third straight game and suffered a sprained knee that will limit his mobility against the Steelers.
ABOUT THE STEELERS (9-3): Pittsburgh played perhaps its best all-around game of the season in a 35-7 win over Cincinnati. Rashard Mendenhall rushed for a pair of TDs as the Steelers scored 28 points in the second quarter. Ben Roethlisberger threw a pair of scoring passes to WR Mike Wallace and Pittsburgh’s defense did the rest, limiting Cincinnati to 13 first downs and 232 yards. Mendenhall’s rushing totals are down, but he has run for five touchdowns in the last four games. LB James Harrison turned in his second three-sack effort in the last four games.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Wallace needs 23 yards to reach 1,000 for the second straight season.
2. Josh Cribbs of the Browns has returned three kickoffs for TDs against the Steelers.
3. Cleveland and Pittsburgh rank 1-2 in passing yards allowed, but in the Browns’ case it’s because opponents are content to run all over them.