The Steelers and Browns begin their season in Cleveland for an AFC North tilt for a 1:00 pm Eastern kick-off at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns have struggled mightily in Week 1 in the last dozen years. Cleveland has been outscored 316-168 while going 0-for-their-last-12 to open the season. The average margin of victory of Cleveland’s opponents in Week 1? 12.3 points over the last 12 years.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns

Point spread: Steelers – 9.5 Over/under: 47.0 Date: Sunday, September 10, 2017 Location: FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland.

Point Spread and Betting Odds

NFL odds have the visiting team Steelers set as 9.5-point favourites with the total currently sitting at 47.0. Pittsburgh has owned Cleveland in the new millennium going 30-5 overall against the Browns in the 2000s. The last time the Browns beat the Steelers in Cleveland was on October 12th, 2014 in Week 6 thanks to a 31-10 decision.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers secondary could be a major cause for concern again this season. The Patriots torched Pittsburgh through the air in the AFC championship game last year. The Steelers need to be better against the pass if they hope to challenge New England for the AFC’s top seed. Pittsburgh added former Browns CB Joe Haden late in the preseason and will pair him opposite Artie Burns. Nickelback and safety are up in the air with Cameron Sutton likely to start the regular season on injured reserve and Mike Mitchell recovering from a lower-body injury that forced him to miss all of training camp.

Cleveland Browns

The DeShone Kizer era begins in Cleveland. The rookie out of Notre Dame will be the Browns’ 27th starting QB since 1999. Kizer will certainly have some help because of Cleveland’s revamped offensive line. The Browns committed more than $120 million, including $64.5 million guaranteed to guard Kevin Zeitler, interior lineman JC Tretter and guard Joel Bitonio who inked a huge extension. The unit is anchored by 10-time Pro Bowler Joe Thomas, who has never missed a play in his career and has been on the field for nearly 10,000 consecutive snaps. Pro Football Focus ranks Cleveland’s offensive line 2nd overall in the NFL.

Steelers vs. Browns Prediction

Steelers 24 Browns 17