The Steelers will look to get to 9-2 by doing something they’ve never done before – win a road divisional game on Thursday night. Will they be able to defeat the lowly Browns? Here are our staff picks.

You would have to imagine the Pittsburgh Steelers have now done everything they can to prove they are legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Now, it is time to prove they can avoid the games where they play down to less-talented opponents and drop games they should not. The Cleveland Browns have struggled mightily all season despite an impressive win over Baltimore. Their offense has fallen apart with a new QB and WR core than the one that started this season. A multiple score loss to the New Orleans Saints last week leaves them looking for vengeance and the opportunity to play spoiler against the Steelers. It will be crucial for the Steelers to keep the pedal to metal and run through the Browns like they should. With the AFC North in their hands, and possibly the AFC up for grabs, each and every game is important. – Alex Hanczar

Steelers at Browns on Thursday Night Football. Sound familiar? It has happened twice in the past five seasons and the Steelers have lost both. What makes this game different? The Browns have lost what makes them a formidable opponent. The defense has taken a step down from its great performance in 2023, the offensive line is playing at a lesser level than it has in years, and the offensive firepower just has not been there this season. The Steelers are red-hot and have been successful on the road against teams they have had problems with in the past such as the Broncos and the Raiders. All signs point to the Steelers, but fans know this could be a letdown. Playing a Thursday Night Football game after playing the Ravens is a bad recipe, just look at the game in Minnesota in 2021 for reference. All that being said the Steelers appear to be on a mission this season and there are very few battles I see the Browns outdoing the Steelers in this game. Steelers start out slow but have a strong second half to win 24-16. – Austin Cave

This has all the makings of a classic “trap game” for the black and gold. Mike Tomlin has never won a road divisional Thursday night game (0-5). Couple that with the Steelers coming off a physical, hard-fought victory over the Ravens – the ingredients for disaster are palpable. This also feels like the Browns Super Bowl, because they have nothing else to play for. However.. this Steelers team has a different vibe compared to recent squads. Russell Wilson will be much better than he was against Baltimore, and I think Justin Fields will be utilized more frequently, especially in the red zone. Jameis Winston will make some great plays, but also a few boneheaded ones – in Winston fashion. Steelers in a tight one, 20-17. – Mike Nicastro

It’s a short week after the Ravens matchup, an away game, a divisional rivalry, and the weather looks like it’ll be bad. The Browns have some talented players on both sides of the ball — this won’t be a gimme. While I think this could go either way due to the circumstances, Cleveland has only broken the 20 point threshold once this season. Pittsburgh is the better team will have some margin for error: Steelers 20, Browns 17 – Ryland Bickley

There are no trap games in the NFL. It’s an any given Sunday (or Thursday) league. The narrative that Tomlin plays down to lesser teams is also a tall tale. Over the last four years, he’s 23-8-1 against teams that finished the season below .500. Despite all of that, this is an AFC North game on the road in the cold and snow. Throw style points out the window. Steelers 17, Browns 16 – Kyle Chrise

Jameis Winston has started three games for the Browns. In those three games has thrown over 40 passes in each and totaled 11 sacks, three picks, and two fumbles. TJ Watt has 17 sacks in 12 games against the Browns. Watt ends any Myles Garrett conversation with a monster game. Offensively, the wind will affect the moon ball effectiveness and it will be another ugly struggle. Boswell 15, Browns 9. – Tom Fox

This is an odd spot for the Pittsburgh Steelers, walking into an obviously winnable game but one that is bound to be a hard-fought, physical contest against two teams that … kind of hate each other. The Steelers are playing with a chip on their shoulders and have proven themselves more than capable of winning the turnover battle; given that turnovers are a weakness, especially with QB Jameis Winston (Mr. 30 TD, 30 INT) under center. The history of this matchup (on the road against the Browns and Mike Tomlin on MNF) says Cleveland could walk away with this one, but it’s difficult to ignore the fact that the Steelers have them outmatched in all three phases. Steelers 17, Browns 10. – Kate Magdziuk

The Steelers have won five straight, and they are certainly the better team in this matchup. However, on a short week following a hard-fought game against their division rivals? It’s as prime a spot for a loss as any, especially going on the road on Thursday night to face a divisional opponent – a situation in which they have never won. Pittsburgh won’t win every game, and this is one they drop. Browns 22 Steelers 20. – Jarrett Bailey