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The Week 12 edition of NFL Thursday Night Football features a big AFC North rivalry game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers. Can the Browns continue to upset their AFC North foe, or are the Steelers primed to hold the top spot in that AFC North?
The Browns are one of the more disappointing teams this season, coming into this game at 2-8, last place in the AFC North. For the early part of the season, they stuck with their high-paid quarterback, despite terrible play. Since stepping in for QB Deshaun Watson, Jameis Winston hasn’t delivered much more than brief glimpses. If you want some optimism for the Browns going into this one, you truly never know what to expect in these AFC North games. The Browns also beat the Ravens and lost a 1-score game to the Bengals. They are going to require their 19th overall ranked defense to have a big game, combined with Winston making smart decisions, if the Browns want to hang around in this one.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are surprising people this season in many ways. From switching to QB Russell Wilson and it paying off, to defeating the Ravens to lock down the AFC North by 1.5 games, the Steelers are looking like a dark-horse on this 5 game win streak. The Steelers allow 8.6 fewer average points per game than the Browns, while scoring an average of 7.1 more points, than Cleveland does. The offense still lacks a little finish, often relying on their top 10 defense and field goals, but they are looking more efficient than they have in years, and are still bonding with their QB of only a few games.
Generally, I like to stay positive and give an avenue for both teams, but the Browns are in for a huge test this Thursday night.
Howe Fresh
Fresh Takes Sports Podcast
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