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

Cleveland Browns bold prediction No. 2: Chubb goes for 150 yards

As mentioned, one of the biggest factors of the Browns’ loss to the Steelers earlier in the year was the absence of running back Nick Chubb, who had succumbed to injury at the time. For as good as Kareem Hunt is, he’s not on the same tier as Chubb and the rushing attack suffers when the lead man isn’t taking the majority of the snaps out of the backfield.

Chubb has been on an absolute tear this season, even with missing four games. On the year, the former Georgia Bulldog has rushed for 959 yards (5.4 yards per carry) with 11 touchdowns. He’s been impossible for almost anyone to stop, the Jets loss aside as that was the one weapon New York knew they had to hone in on to put Cleveland in a tough spot.

But he’s in the fold for a seemingly healthy offense in Week 17 and that could be bad news for the Steelers. Yes, Pittsburgh’s run defense has been good throughout the year. But they’ve not been infallible either, giving up good games to Gio Bernard and Jonathan Taylor over the past two weeks.

The Browns have a better offensive line than what the Bengals and Colts trotted out in their matchups with Pittsburgh and Chubb is the better player. With Mayfield helping Cleveland take a lead early, Chubb will be the cold water and he’ll come in like a rushing tide with a 150-yard performance and at least one trip across the goal line.