4 reasons Browns will stomp Steelers, make playoffs for 1st time since 2002

1. Steelers mailing it in

Pittsburgh battled their own COVID outbreak earlier in the season, which may incline coach Mike Tomlin to give his veterans a break.

There’s no difference between the Nos. 2 and 3 seeds, as only one team–the top team in the conference–gets a first-round bye. That said, seeding does matter in the second round, where the possibility exists that the second seed could host the three seed.

Pittsburgh, who was without a true Bye week this season, may just have to take the week-by-week approach and play Mason Rudolph, instead of Ben Roethlisberger, who is 24-2-1 lifetime against the Browns.

Other key Steelers who could rest include offensive linemen David DeCastro and Maurice Pouncey, as well as defensive stars Minkah Fitzpatrick, Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt.

If this ends up being the case, the Browns have no excuse to but to bully Pittsburgh the entire game.