10 Dec 2009

NFL Picks

Sliding Steelers may not be such a lock in Cleveland

The Betting Advantage takes a look at tonight's NFL clash between AFC North rivals.

It will be a cold edition of Thursday night football in Cleveland. The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns will do battle at temperatures well below freezing. Snow flurries and gusty winds are also expected. If the forecast holds up then it will be tough for the offenses to move the ball...like these offenses needed more challenges.

The Steelers come into Cleveland riding a four game losing streak. The Steelers' season low was last week when they lost to the Oakland Raiders at home 27-24. What is going on with the Steelers? It is time to panic for a Steelers team likely to be without wide receiver Hines Ward tonight. Ward leads the Steelers in receptions with 72 on the season.

The Cleveland Browns came into the season with low expectations and have done nothing to surpass them. They have just one win on the season, a 6-3 win in Buffalo. The Browns defense has been very good considering their offense has been brutal.

The Browns have shown signs of coming around in the past few weeks. They lost their last two games by less than ten points against tough opponents in Cincinnati and San Diego. Cleveland will look to Jerome Harrison to carry the load tonight as the feature running back. Harrison had two receiving touchdowns last week as he touched the ball 17 times.

I'm seeing the value with the Browns tonight. The Steelers are playing terrible football right now and considering the weather I think Cleveland have a chance. You can back the Browns for 5.70 (+470) to win the game. I like taking them with the 10.5 points a little more. I think they hold this within a touchdown. Back Cleveland +10.5 for 1.85 (-116).