Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 5 matchups that will decide Week 1

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CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 10: Head coaches Hue Jackson of the Cleveland Browns and Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers shake hands after the game at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

The Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers renew their rivalry in Week 1 of the 2018 NFL season, and these four matchups will likely decide the game.

The Cleveland Browns will attempt to shock the world with a Week 1 upset of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

And that’s not being overdramatic.

FirstEnergy Stadium is basically Pittsburgh west for Ben Roethlisberger, who owns a career 21-2 mark against Cleveland.

The odds are in Pittsburgh’s favor as well, with Oddshark listing the Steelers as a 3.5 point favorite.

But forget all that! The Steelers have to play this game to get the first win of the season and the Browns bring a revamped roster led by a new front office into a new season that will hopefully see the franchise play competitive football for the first time since Brian Hoyer had the franchise at 7-4 during the 2014 season.

Undoubtedly, the Browns are going to get the Steelers best effort because their head coach knows how important getting two division wins can be in the big picture of earning a playoff berth.

Come December, there’s a good shot the Steelers and the Ravens could be 8-5, fighting for the division crown. Two victories over the Browns, which have been guaranteed wins for the better part of 25 years, are invaluable.

Like any sports, matchups will have a lot to do with the outcome, and these four battles are sure to determine the winner in this rivalry.

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