Sunday’s bundle of Week 17 NFL games are officially in the books, meaning that fans are now turning their attention to an exciting Monday Night Football contest. This week’s game features a collision between a pair of AFC North teams looking for a strong end to the 2021 NFL season as the Cleveland Browns (7-8) travel to face the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7-1). Both teams will be looking to give their fans something to cheer about as the season winds down, which should make for some entertaining football action.
Keeping that in mind, there’s a lot to take account of before tonight’s Monday Night Football clash, so continue reading this guide for the betting odds heading into the matchup — with odds courtesy of BetOnline.
Browns vs Steelers General Information and Statistics
Tonight’s game will be held at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where the Steelers currently have a home record of 5-2. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. EST and the contest itself can be viewed on ESPN and other streaming platforms around the world.
The Browns are currently averaging 20.9 points per game, which is the 14th-worst average in the NFL. Meanwhile, the Steelers are averaging 20.1 PPG — the 12th-worst average. Defensively, Cleveland is allowing 21.9 PPG (17th) while Pittsburgh is surrendering 24.7 PPG (23rd).
Monday Night Football: Browns vs Steelers Odds
Odds via BetOnline as of Monday, January 3
- Cleveland Browns (7-8) vs Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7-1)
- Moneyline: Browns (+115) vs Steelers (-135)
- Spread: Browns +2.0 (-110) vs Steelers -2.0 (-110)
- Total: 42.0 — Over (-115), Under (-105)
- Head-to-Head: The Steelers are 6-3-1 against the Browns in their last 10 matchups.
A complete list of odds and prop markets is available at BetOnline.ag.
Browns Look to End Season on High Note
While the Browns didn’t even play on Sunday, they still took a loss heading into Monday Night Football. Cleveland needed some other teams to win in order to keep its playoff hopes alive, however, that didn’t happen. Now, the team has missed out on the playoffs for the 18th time over the last 19 seasons.
In other words, the Browns could use a win over the Steelers to give their fans something to be happy about since playoffs are no longer an option. Cleveland previously lost to Pittsburgh, 15-10, back in Week 8, so only time will tell if things are different this go around.
One thing that the Browns need to figure out if they want a Monday Night Football victory is how to improve the offense. They’ve scored 17 or fewer points in seven of their last 10 games, leading to a 4-6 record over that stretch. In fact, Cleveland’s average of 17.2 points for over its last 10 outings ranks sixth-worst in the league over that stretch — a far cry from the team that qualified for the postseason last year.
Fortunately, the Steelers offense has struggled throughout the season, especially with Ben Roethlisberger on the decline. The Browns defense has allowed the sixth-fewest points over its last five games, so more of that energy will go a long way in the final matchup of Week 17.
Monday Night Football: Roethlisberger’s Possible Final Home Game
At the end of last week, Roethlisberger told reporters that Week 17’s Monday Night Football matchup would likely be his last game at Heinz Field. Considering how he went 92-31-0 at home since 2004, it’s no surprise that he’d like to end his career with one last victory in front of the hometown Steelers fans.
While the Browns might be mediocre this year, it isn’t like the Steelers have been much better. Pittsburgh is 2-4-1 in its last seven games, also scoring 20 or fewer points in nine out of 15 outings this season.
Nevertheless, what might motivate the Steelers toward a Week 17 win is the fact that they can still make the playoffs. It’s a bit of a long shot, but Pittsburgh needs to defeat the Browns and Baltimore Ravens over the next two weeks. They also need the Indianapolis Colts to be upset by the Jacksonville Jaguars, while next week’s Los Angeles Chargers vs Las Vegas Raiders matchup can’t end in a tie. If all of that happens, the Steelers will make the playoffs.
Nevertheless, Pittsburgh can only take things one game/week at a time, which means it all begins with tonight’s Monday Night Football game.
