How the public is betting the Browns vs. Steelers in the AFC Wild Card round

In the final game of Super Wild Card Weekend, the No. 6 seed Cleveland Browns will play the No. 3 seed Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday night at 8:15 p.m. ET. on NBC. The division rivals will square off for the second-straight week as they just played in Week 17.

Last week, the Browns (11-5) defeated the Steelers (12-4) 24-22 to clinch a playoff berth. The Browns leaned on star running back Nick Chubb, who had 108 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown. As a team, Cleveland ran for 192 yards and had two touchdowns. Quarterback Baker Mayfield took care of the football, completing 17-of-27 passes for 196 yards and a touchdown.

The Browns will try to duplicate this performance without their head coach Kevin Stefanski, who tested positive for COVID-19. As for the Steelers, backup quarterback Mason Rudolph got the start in Week 17. But veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be back under center with his full trio of wide receivers.

So where are sports bettors going as we get closer to game time? Let’s take a look. All odds and info were provided by DraftKings Sportsbook.

Point Spread

Pittsburgh is favored by six points heading into this AFC wild card matchup. The Steelers are also receiving 69% of the bets and 81% of the handle.

Is the public right?

Despite the Steelers recent struggles in the second half of the season, they are the better all around team. If you excuse their performance in Week 17, and solely look at what they did in Week 6. The Steelers defeated the Browns soundly 38-7 at Heinz Field.

Nevertheless, I don’t believe that Pittsburgh will beat Cleveland by double-digits on Sunday night because the Browns are better now. But without Stefanski and not a lot of practice this week, Pittsburgh should be able to cover the six points.

Over/Under

The point total for this Sunday night contest is set at 47. As of now, 52% of the bets and 54% of the handle are siding with the over.

Is the public right?

Yes, without a doubt they are. In their last three games, the Pittsburgh Steelers are only averaging 22.3 points per game. However, the Steelers are going up against a Browns’ defense that will be missing Denzel Ward and has struggled this season.

Cleveland’s defense is giving up 26 points per game, but only allowing 17 points in their last three games. Here’s something to keep in mind too — the point total went over in four of the Browns’ last six games.

Moneyline

The Steelers have moneyline odds of -265, with the Browns’ odds coming in at +225. Out of all the moneyline bets placed for this game, Pittsburgh is seeing 69% of the bets and 69% of the handle.

Is the public right?

It is tough to defeat a team multiple times in a season, let alone in consecutive weeks. But the Steelers should be able to defeat the Browns in potentially another AFC wild card thriller. Even though Pittsburgh doesn’t have a run game and Roethlisberger can’t really throw the ball deep anymore. The Steelers do have the weapons on the outside to win against the Browns secondary.

Furthermore, the Browns’ running game should keep the game close, but it will be hard for them to run for 192 yards again on Sunday night.

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