Steelers vs. Browns: Thursday Night Football Picks for DFS
We are well into the second half of the NFL season, and the NFL Playoff Picture is starting to come into focus. We now have 11 weeks of data to break down for NFL DFS. We’ll kick-off Week 12 with a Thursday Night Football showdown between the top two teams in the AFC North: Steelers vs. Browns.
Below, we’ve got the top Thursday Night Football picks and player projections for NFL DFS on PrizePicks for the Steelers vs. Browns matchup, including player projections.
Whether you’re backing a wide receiver to go over his yards or a quarterback to throw under his passing yards, today's Thursday Night Football game is stacked with plenty of opportunities. Be sure to take note of how the weather could impact the game below.
Don’t forget to head to the PrizePicks NFL board, lock in your picks, and submit your lineup to get in on the real money NFL action.
Thursday Night Football Picks for Steelers vs. Browns
Here are the top picks for Thursday Night Football tonight, Steelers vs. Browns.
- Steelers vs. Browns Weather Forecast
- Steelers WR George Pickens vs. Browns: 57.5 Rec Yards — More
- Browns QB Jameis Winston vs. Steelers: 216.5 Pass Yards — Less
- Steelers QB Russell Wilson 182.5 Pass Yards — More
Thursday Night Football Weather Forecast
Before we get into the picks for this Steelers vs. Browns, it’s worth mentioning the expected weather in Cleveland and how it will impact the game.
Starting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, there is a 90%+ chance of rain/snow throughout the game, as of publishing. More importantly, there will also be significant wind: 19 mph sustained cold westward winds off of Lake Erie, with gusts up to 30 mph, per Accuweather. There also may already be snow on the ground when the game starts.
The weather will likely have an outsized impact on the passing game for both sides, as well as kicking and punting, so temper expectations here.
Steelers WR George Pickens vs. Browns: 57.5 Rec Yards — More
George Pickens and Russell Wilson are the new dynamic duo for the Steelers; Wilson’s connection with wide receiver Pickens has been phenomenal. Pickens is having his best NFL season since entering the NFL, ranking as a top-15 wide receiver.
He sits in the top five for receiving yards, amassing over 700 yards so far. When targeted, Pickens provides a passer rating of 100 to his quarterback, averaging just over 15 yards per reception.
This week he’s up against Browns, where Pickens will likely be lined up against cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. Emerson has struggled in coverage this season, ranking 105th out of 111 graded cornerbacks. He's allowing a passer rating of 121 when targeted, with opponents averaging over 13 yards per reception against him.
Expect the Wilson-to-Pickens connection to exploit this matchup and continue their offensive surge, even in-spite of the weather.
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Browns QB Jameis Winston vs. Steelers: 216.5 Pass Yards — Less
To the surprise of many, the Browns' offensive line has not lived up to expectations this season. This week, they'll be without both starting tackles Jedrick Wills Jr. and James Hudson III. Stepping in at tackle will be Germain Ifedi, who has allowed three quarterback pressures in just 42 snaps at left tackle so far.
One of the biggest disappointments has been guard Wyatt Teller. This season, he's allowed 12 pressures and committed four penalties. Center Ethan Pocic has also struggled, allowing two sacks — the sixth most at his position — and committing three penalties. More concerning is that Pocic has allowed over 20 pressures, marking him as one of the least effective centers in the NFL this year.
The Steelers boast one of the NFL's most formidable defensive lines. T.J. Watt ranks first out of 109 defensive ends, showcasing his dominance on the edge. Nick Herbig has been impressive as well, ranking sixth out of 106 defensive ends. Veteran Cameron Heyward anchors the interior line, ranking second out of 104 defensive linemen.
Facing this fierce pass rush, Browns quarterback Jamies Winston will have minimal time in the pocket. Watson has already thrown three interceptions in just 145 pass attempts this season. Given the Steelers' relentless pressure, he'll need to make quick decisions to avoid turnovers and keep the Browns competitive in this crucial divisional game.
To make matters worse is the wind discussed above. In the three weeks that Winston has started this season, he has 265 more air yards than any other NFL QB. He relies on big plays to pick up yards, and that’s going to be difficult with the wind and rain. Don’t expect much from Winston in this spot.
Steelers QB Russell Wilson 182.5 Passing Yards — More
Since returning from injury midseason, Russell Wilson has been on a tear, surpassing his passing yard projection of 182.5 in every game to date. Extending back over his last ten games, Wilson has exceeded this mark in nine contests, showcasing his resurgent form and consistent performance.
Contrary to previous seasons, the Browns currently rank in the middle of the pack in the NFL in passing yards allowed, surrendering over 121 yards per game. They also rank outside the top twenty in yards per completion allowed, making their secondary one of the weakest in the league.
Lock in on PrizePicks NFL Today
You’ve got the NFL picks for Thursday Night Football, now it’s time to build your NFL Lineup on PrizePicks for Steelers vs. Browns. It’s easy to get real money action tonight; just pick more or less on at least two player projections to win real money on today’s NFL action.
Whether you’re going with demons or goblins, there’s always real money NFL action waiting for you on PrizePicks. Use these picks, stay in the green, and cash out when the games are over.
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