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Here are two relevant statistics before Sunday's game against the Steelers-Browns at FirstEngery Stadium in Cleveland: The Browns are 1-31 in the Hue Jackson era and are currently on a run of 17 consecutive losses. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who grew up in Ohio and was overtaken by the Browns in the 2004 NFL draft, is 22-2 against them, and Cleveland 11-2 .
It's getting more and more depressing: the Steelers' win over the Browns in 2017 has helped Roethlisberger win more victories in Cleveland than any of the Browns since returning to the NFL in 1999. Derek Anderson, who has evolved The last quarterback to lead the team to a record of victories (10-6 in 2007) surpasses Big Ben with 10 wins in Cleveland.
But the past is just that and if "Hard Knocks" taught us anything, it's that the Browns are not focused on what has been but what could be. The attack now includes quarterback Tyrod Taylor, receivers Jarvis Landry and Josh Gordon, tight end David Njoku and running back Carlos Hyde, Duke Johnson and Nick Chubb. And as talented as this unit is, the defense could be even better. It starts with the 2017 Myles Garrett first-round pick and includes first-rounders Jabrill Peppers and Denzel Ward, as well as linebackers Jamie Collins and Christian Kirksey. It only remains to start winning football matches.
How to watch, broadcast
- Start: Sunday September 9 at 1 pm ET
- TV: CBS (Check Local Lists)
- Diffusion: CBS All Access (try for free), fuboTV (try for free)
CBS All Access offers streaming on the following connected devices: Apple TV, Android, iPad, Roku, Google Chromecast, Playstation 4, Xbox, Windows 10 and Amazon Fire TV. You can also download the CBS application to use All Access or watch the games on CBS.com in more than 150 markets in the United States.
Who will win?
The story screams PITTSBURGH STEELERS, but here is something to keep in mind: what looks like a paper eruption may be something else on Sunday afternoon. In the past four years, the Steelers and Browns have played twice in Week 1; both times – in 2014 and 2018 – the Steelers were strongly favored (by seven and ten points), and both teams won three wins. In 14, they needed overtime and in 17, they started strong before letting the rookie of the time, DeShone Kizer, lead Cleveland in the final.
Pittsburgh should win but if nothing else, be wary of the 4.5 points gap. Again, it's the Browns. And even if "Hard Knocks" was the perfect one-month rally for a fanatical fanbase, it's still the team of Hue Jackson, the same one whose last victory was on December 24, 2016.
The Steelers are 13-3 with a division title, and their biggest questions are about the return of The Vein Bell, and how this reworked defense will respond without linebacker Ryan Shazier.
Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com loves the Steelers, but barely:
The Browns will be improved this season, but it's a difficult start. They will be better in defense, which will result in a good attack by the Steelers. This will keep this game close.
Pick: Pittsburgh 23, Cleveland 20
In all, six of the eight CBSSports.com experts won the Steelers, while seven of the eight hope the Browns will cover the gap by 4.5 points.
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