Cleveland Browns: 5 Bold predictions for Week 17 vs. Steelers

Cleveland Browns bold predictions for a must-win Week 17 game against the Steelers.

Kevin Stefanski has undeniably gotten the Cleveland Browns heading in the right direction. After the disastrously disappointing 2019 season, they come into Week 17 of the 2020 campaign sitting at an impressive 10-5. But their playoff lives are not yet secured. Their most secure path to the postseason is to beat the rival Pittsburgh Steelers in the regular-season finale.

Earlier in the season, Pittsburgh embarrassed Baker Mayfield and the Browns in a 38-7 contest. But not only was that game played without running back Nick Chubb but the Steelers will also be starting a familiar face, Mason Rudolph, for the Week 17 contest while also possibly resting a number of defensive starters.

Subsequently, the opportunity to secure an 11-win season and a playoff berth is right there. Now that Cleveland Browns must take it. With that in mind, let’s make five bold predictions for the team in this pivotal Week 17 matchup from FirstEnergy Stadium.

Cleveland Browns bold prediction No. 5: Baker throws for 3 TDs, 0 INTs

Browns fans will certainly remember how bad Baker Mayfield was in first matchup between these two AFC North rivals. In that game, he was not only sacked four times but went just 10-of-18 for 119 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. It was arguably his worst game of the season, which is why he was benched late for Case Keenum.

Since that time, however, Mayfield has turned things around. People will look at last week’s loss to the Jets and point out that he was not good but he was also playing without his starting left tackle and without any of his top four wide receivers. There aren’t many quarterbacks in history that could succeed in that scenario. And even then he threw for 285 yards with no interceptions.

Mayfield is a known gamer dating back to his days at Oklahoma. He likes the big moment and he’s clearly maturing as a player. So with a playoff berth on the line, the quarterback should be ready for the bright lights, especially with the Steelers defense at less than full strength.

While Cleveland will continue to rely on the rushing attack, Mayfield will get his on the day. The yardage total could be relatively modest when it’s all said and done but the third-year quarterback will toss three touchdowns and, more importantly, won’t turn the ball over in a head-turning performance.