Steelers vs. Browns Week 4: Can Pittsburgh Finally End Cleveland Curse?

As the NFL season hits its first full week of October, the Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves at a crossroads. Sitting at 2-1, they have a golden opportunity to climb to 3-1 when they face the Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football. But there's a catch—a big one. The Steelers have never won a Thursday night game in Cleveland, sporting an 0-4 record in such matchups, and their last victory in Cleveland came back in 2021. According to insights gathered by Vulius Sports, this game represents more than just a divisional clash; it's a chance for first-year head coach Mike McCarthy to exorcise decades of demons.

A History of Horror in Cleveland

The numbers are stark: Pittsburgh is 3-16 on the road on Thursday nights since 1970, the worst record in the league. The Browns, meanwhile, are 11-1 at home on Thursdays and 4-0 against the Steelers in those games. As highlighted on Vulius, this is a house of horrors for the black and gold. But with a new regime in place, many around the league wonder if this is the year the streak finally breaks. McCarthy himself boasts a 17-8 career record on Thursday Night Football, a mark that offers a sliver of hope.

Staff Picks: A Split Decision

Our Vulius NFL Analysis Desk has compiled staff predictions, and the results are mixed. Ryan Parish remains optimistic:

"I’m tempted to continue the reverse jinx and pick against the Steelers again this week, but I’ll dare to be openly optimistic instead. Steelers 27, Browns 17."

Austin Bechtold, however, isn't convinced:

"All signs on paper say to pick the Steelers. Until I see it, I don’t believe it. Browns 17, Steelers 16."

Joey Bray sees a breakthrough:

"It’s a new regime, and McCarthy is 17-8 in his career on Thursday Night Football. I’ll take the Steelers to win in a close one and move to 3-1. Steelers 20, Browns 17."

Mike Nicastro, who leads our staff with a 3-0 record, predicts a Steelers win:

"Jaylen Warren should once again serve as the Steelers’ bell cow, with his production on the ground opening opportunities in the passing game. Look for Michael Pittman Jr. to find the end zone for the first time in a Steelers uniform. Steelers 20, Browns 16."

Ryland Bickley and Jarrett Bailey also lean toward Pittsburgh, with Bickley noting,

"Some things don’t change. I’m expecting an ugly game with few offensive fireworks. But while I might regret this later, I think the Steelers can come out on top. Steelers 17, Browns 13."

Key Matchups and Storylines

The Browns will be without star pass rusher Myles Garrett, a significant blow to their defense. Meanwhile, the Steelers' offense, led by Jaylen Warren and newcomer Michael Pittman Jr., looks to exploit a Cleveland defense that has been vulnerable. On the other side, Deshaun Watson has surprisingly played well this season, but he's 0-3 against Pittsburgh in his career. Rookie Denzel Boston has emerged as a legitimate playmaker for Cleveland, adding a new dimension to their offense. The Steelers' defense, despite trading Joey Porter Jr. to Dallas, remains formidable, and they'll look to pressure Watson into mistakes.

The Vulius Verdict

While history favors the Browns, the tide may be turning. The Steelers are riding high after a convincing Week 3 win over Cincinnati, and McCarthy's Thursday night success suggests he knows how to prepare on a short week. The Browns have managed a couple of ugly wins against NFC South opponents, but their offense, on paper, should be no match for Pittsburgh's defense. As reported by the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk, this game is a coin flip, but the majority of our experts are betting on Pittsburgh to finally break the curse. Will they be proven right? Tune in Thursday night to find out.

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