The margins here are thin, but the Steelers enter with the motivation, recent on-field success and overall healthier team as the Browns are nursing injuries at key positions (right tackle, cornerback). Pittsburgh must win to get in the playoffs (and even that may not be enough). If there's one coach in the NFL who can get his team up and ready to play a game like this, it's Mike Tomlin. It also does not hurt that Pittsburgh gets this game at home. Beyond that, Kenny Pickett is doing well to close out his rookie season, and the connection with George Pickens is strengthening. Coupled with an improved running game, look for the Steelers to control the lock on offense, limit the Browns' possessions and walk away with a field-goal win.

This pick isn't only about the Browns wanting to get Amari Cooper his career high in receiving yards -- he's 81 away. It's about the Steelers playing the fourth-highest rate of man coverage, per PFF's Judah Fortgang. Cooper draws a 32 percent target share versus man coverage and is facing a defense that gives up the highest rate of exposive pass plays. With Deshaun Watson playing better as of late, I'll go over on Cooper's receiving yards.

The Browns enter this game with nothing to play for except maybe to enter the offseason with a little momentum for the Deshaun Watson-led offense. But one player who should see a high number of targets in this game is Cooper, who is 81 yards away from setting a new career high. Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said Cooper hitting his personal best is 'important' to him, and getting him to that number figures to be a key part of the gameplan.

The plan of attack for the Steelers this week will be to utilize the rushing game. Najee Harris will certainly get some work, but there will be plenty of volume for backup Jaylen Warren as well. Last week Harris got 22 carries, but the Steelers were still able to get Warren 12 carries (and he was far more efficient with those carries at 6.3 yards per carry). Over the last three games Warren is averaging nearly 10 carries per game, and the efficiency is trending upward. This is a great spot for both running backs to succeed.

Cleveland certainly is talented enough to win this game, but I have to lean the home team with motivation -- especially as the Browns could be without two Pro Bowlers in offensive tackle Jack Conklin and cornerback Denzel Ward. Why bother playing them when eliminated from playoff contention? Every banged-up Steeler certainly will go if at all possible as Pittsburgh gets the AFC's final wild-card spot with a win and losses by Miami and New England -- and both definitely could happen. There's also the pride factor of not finishing with a losing record for the first time under Mike Tomlin. If you believe some rumors, this might be his last game (barring the playoffs) on the sideline.

The Browns will enter this game motivated to avoid a 10-loss season and knock their rivals out of the playoffs, but the matchups aren't in their favor. Both teams want to run on offense, yet the Steelers rank fourth in rush yards per play allowed on defense while the Browns rank 25th. Pittsburgh is also second in interception rate and has one of the best pass rushers in the league to work against an injured Jack Conklin or his backup. The Steelers defense has held three straight teams under 250 yards, winning all three games, and it feels like this could be a similar performance. And if Kenny Pickett somehow strings together four quality quarters, this could be a double-digit win.

The Browns won't be in the playoffs, but you can still expect a very motivated effort here. Myles Garrett says Cleveland is focused on keeping the rival Steelers from making the postseason. Things finally clicked for Deshaun Watson in the second half last week at Washington, as the Browns scored touchdowns on three straight possessions after the break. Although Pittsburgh is hot and Kenny Pickett is stirring optimism for the Steelers' future, this team has still failed to crack 20 points in four of its last five outings. Look for the underdog in this series to cover for the fifth time in the past six meetings.