Predicting every game of the 2021 NFL Playoffs

AFC Wild Card: Cleveland Browns (6) at Pittsburgh Steelers (3)

Yes, I know the Steelers nearly beat the Browns this past weekend with several starters sitting while their opponents were fighting for their playoff lives. Yes, I know the Steelers were one of the best teams all year long — prior to the last month or so. Yes, I’m predicting they lose this one.

As great as Pittsburgh has been, they’ve crumbled in recent weeks. Since starting 11-0, they’ve gone 1-4 and went from top dogs in the AFC to the third seed. Now they’re set to host a Cleveland team that has quietly been outstanding all year long, even with some of their top playmakers missing.

Even with Ben Roethlisberger back under center, there’s no guarantee we’ll see the Big Ben of old. He’s been stumbling down the stretch, and the Pittsburgh defense hasn’t been as dominant either. Especially with an unreliable ground game, the Steelers could find it hard to produce points against Cleveland’s opportunistic defense.

The Browns haven’t been to the playoffs since 2002, and they aren’t going to let this chance slide away that easy. Baker Mayfield, Nick Chubb and the rest of the Cleveland offense comes to play, toppling the slumping Steelers at home and pulling off a surprise victory to advance to the Divisional Round.

Prediction: Browns win 26-24