The Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers are both on a roll, but only one AFC North team can come out on top in their Week 6 matchup. Both teams have great run defenses, so this game could be decided by the team with the better passing attack.
Baker Mayfield hasn’t gotten to throw the ball much because of the Browns’ focus on the ground game. He has stars to work with in Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, and Austin Hooper at his disposal. He could have to use them more with usual with Nick Chubb (knee) on the IR.
The Steelers haven’t gotten consistency from James Conner or Benny Snell at running back, but Chase Claypool carried Pittsburgh’s offense in Week 5 with a career performance. Ben Roethlisberger will need him JuJu Smith-Schuster, and others to challenge a Browns defensive line led by Myles Garrett.
TV Info
Date: Sunday, Oct. 18
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Channel: CBS
Broadcast map
Notable Statistical rankings (Football Outsiders)
Browns: #17 Overall — #14 offense, #17 defense, #31 special teams
Steelers: #9 Overall — #13 offense, #7 defense, #11 special teams
DraftKings Sportsbook odds
Browns: +3.5, +163
Steelers: -3.5, -190
Total: 51
Injury report
Browns
OUT: S Ronnie Harrison (concussion), S Karl Joseph (hamstring), LB Jacob Phillips (knee), G Wyatt Teller (calf)
QUESTIONABLE: WR Odell Beckham (illness), P Jamie Gillan (left groin), WR Jarvis Landry (hip, rib), QB Baker Mayfield (chest), DT Larry Ogunjobi (abdomen), DE Olivier Vernon (groin)
Steelers
OUT: G David DeCastro (abdomen), WR Diontae Johnson (back)
Fantasy football start/sit advice
Browns
Odell Beckham Jr., WR, $6,400
The Steelers can stuff the run with the best of them, but it’s hard to see them shutting down OBJ after forking up 10 receptions and 152 yards to Travis Fulgham in Week 4. Beckham will be a focal point while Nick Chubb is on the IR.
Kareem Hunt, RB, $6,900
Last week showed us that Hunt won’t be splitting carries evenly with D’Ernest Johnson. Hunt notched 20 carries and caught three passes for 21 yards and a score in Week 4. Hunt can do some of the same things Miles Sanders can, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him score in a fifth straight game.
Steelers
Ben Roethlisberger, QB, $6,700
The Browns are also great against the run, but are susceptible to a strong passing attack. While Johnson is dealing with a a back injury, Smith-Schuster and Claypool are more than enough to boost Big Ben’s numbers.
Chase Claypool, WR, $5,200
Claypool will be a popular target after exploding for seven receptions, 110 receiving yards, and four touchdowns in his last game. The rookie wideout led all Steelers with 11 targets against the Eagles. He should remain a key player if the Steelers are still banged up come Week 6.