Sunday Scaries: The Week 17 bets to avoid

Ten points? To the Browns? The Browns, who just lost to the Jets? The Browns, who’ve given us badbeats all year? The Browns, who just yesterday closed their facility for the third time in four days due to COVID? The 10-5 Browns versus the 12-3 Steelers?

10 is a scary number, but it makes sense when you learn that Mason Rudolph is starting for Pittsburgh. With a move like that, the Steelers are planning to lose. They’ve already won their division and they’ll host a playoff game. Cleveland, however, is the No. 7 seed in the AFC and trying to hang on. They can clinch a playoff spot with a win.

But how much will they win by? Well, Jarvis Landry and other receivers are off the COVID list. Maybe Baker Mayfield can run up a score with people to throw to. But maybe not. These are the Browns, after all. That 18-year playoff drought ain’t over yet!