The staff of DK Pittsburgh Sports picks the Steelers vs. Browns playoff game, 8:15 p.m., today at Heinz Field.
Here's Dale Lolley's one-of-a-kind Kickoff preview.
Dale Lolley (13-3): Even if both teams were at full strength, the Steelers would have an advantage based on first-time quarterbacks being 9-30 in the playoffs since 2002. But given all of the issues with which the Browns have dealt this week, the Steelers should control this game if they weather what should be an early wave of emotion from the Browns. The Steelers should methodically take Cleveland apart. Steelers, 27-13
Ramon Foster (11-5): The Pittsburgh defense is going to be lights-out. They'll contain Baker Mayfield, and I think they'll stop the run on the way to the quarterback. But the key here is that the second half of the Colts game was a breakthrough for the offense. That's what I heard from inside the organization. That's how they feel. And that's where I feel Ben will -- and should -- pick up. Steelers, 24-14
Chris Carter (13-3): The Browns can use whatever motivation they want, but this game is about the Steelers. If the defense can take Nick Chubb away and not allow chunk plays in the passing game, the Cleveland offense has a long day. And if Ben Roethlisberger comes out the way he finished against the Colts two weeks ago, I see Mayfield committing several turnovers while attempting a comeback. Steelers, 27-20
Tom Reed (13-3): The Northeast Ohio guy picked the Browns last week, but not tonight in Pittsburgh, where they have lost 17 consecutive games and are 6-44 since 1970. The COVID-19 issues, hovering over the Browns the past month, will rob them of Kevin Stefanski and Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio, among others. I don't expect the Browns will wait another 18 years to make the playoffs, but ... Steelers, 21-10
Dejan Kovacevic (11-5): If the Browns could've been at full strength, or anything close to it, this would've been fun. But there's nowhere to escape from this: Mayfield was sacked four times last week in Cleveland by a defense half as good as the one he's about to face, and he had Bitonio blocking. This is not the quarterback anyone would want buzzing and bumping around. Steelers, 38-7