Steelers vs. Browns: Who the experts are taking in Week 3 AFC battle

The Steelers are underdogs heading into a short week as they get ready for the Cleveland Browns on Thursday.

The Steelers head into week three of their schedule on a short week after falling to the New England Patriots just days ago. The offense was not able to muster much and that caused the loss after an admirable performance by the defense. This is a huge game for both clubs as it could have a big effect on their playoff aspirations down the line.

AFC North football is something each team wakes up for, no matter their record or expectation. It should be a grimy battle between these two rivals on gameday and many experts have taken note of that. Pittsburgh is a slight underdog in this game, but the score should be close.

Sporting news goes against the odds and picks the Steelers

Sporting news comes back to this series again as they always lay out their score predictions and reasoning behind it. This should be a close game as both clubs seem to have balance in major categories for their own rosters. The margin for difference here will be razor thin in this matchup.

Prediction: Steelers 23, Browns 20

The Steelers get the favor to win this game with a winning field goal to close it out. They specify that the quarterbacks are about the same and this game will come down to how each team can run the football. It is going to be a close one that will come down to a few plays that will affect the outcome.

Pro Football Network stuck with the Browns in a close game

The Browns are favored to win this game as Vegas has their odds at three and a half point favorites for Thursday night. Pro Football Network stuck with those odds, but it was a difficult decision for them to predict when it was all said and done. Both clubs have their faults and that could cost them in the end.

Prediction: Steelers lose to the Browns in a close game

This website failed to give an exact score in their final prediction, but they chose the Browns in a close game over Pittsburgh. It all came down to the two-headed monster that Cleveland has at running back that made the difference in their view. That will give the home team a better chance to succeed if they can open the run game.

NFL Spin Zone has Cleveland winning a nail-biting offense onslaught

The trajectory is what concerns this website as they do not know what kind of teams you are going to get from week to week. The Steelers seem to have lucked out into a win during their week one matchup, while the Browns have no consistency. Both are on a similar path as of now and could wind up keeping this a close contest.

Prediction: Steelers 24, Browns 27

They ended up picking the Browns to win this game by a score that would shock many. Pittsburgh does not seem poised to score 24 points in a game and the Browns are not a highly talented offense right now either. They picked to home team because of their home field advantage and their running backs have a better shot at succeeding than the Steelers.

Final prediction has the home team winning another low-scoring affair

This matchup is hard to put a finger on as these two clubs have their own warts this season. Neither will probably make it to the postseason, but they can stay competitive with wins like this game. It should be a close one that will come down to which offense can run efficiently and not turnover the football.

Prediction: Steelers 21, Browns 24

The Steelers offense will not improve on a short week, but they were able to get the ball in the end zone each time they got down there in this prediction. The Browns defense is going to shut down the run game and create a turnover or two that will be the difference maker in this one. A last-second field goal for the win will put the final nail in the coffin for this game.

The Steelers have another tough matchup on a short week in the early goings of their schedule. The Browns will be a big test on the road for where this team will go.