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

Cleveland Browns bold prediction No. 3: DPJ shows out with 2 TDs, 100 yards

As a rookie sixth-round pick, the Browns weren’t necessarily expecting wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones to play a huge role in the offense. And, for the most part, that’s been true. But since the OBJ injury, the youngster has seen an increased role and has flashed a number of times over that span.

In his last three games, specifically, Peoples-Jones has racked up eight receptions with 55 or more yards in each of those games, including a high of 92, with one touchdown. So as he comes into a matchup where he’ll likely see some backups from a thin secondary, the rookie is going to have a favorable matchup.

Expect Jarvis Landry and Rashard Higgins to be reliable targets for Mayfield in this game but DPJ is the one with the tremendous speed to cause some inexperienced defensive backs problems. The Browns should look to bury the Steelers and the rookie will be an easy avenue for them to accomplish that.

While I wouldn’t expect him to be a target hog, Peoples-Jones will have a monster outing in the box score, getting behind the Pittsburgh defense for a couple of long touchdowns that ultimately give him his first career 100-yard receiving game.