by George Stranz

Created on: December 09, 2011

Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers (-14)

The Cleveland Browns’ offense has been pitiful. The Browns average just 14.6 points per game and they are coming off a woeful 10-point, 233-yard performance against the Baltimore Ravens. The Browns’ problem: they don’t have a single offensive player that consistently makes big plays. Their opponent this week, the Pittsburgh Steelers, doesn’t have that problem.

The Steelers have one of the best passing tandems in the league in quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and wide receiver Mike Wallace. Roethlisberger is averaging 270.5 passing yards per game and Wallace is averaging 16.8 yards per catch. Not to be forgotten is running back Rashard Mendenhall, who’s scored eight rushing touchdowns this season. Expect him to revisit the end zone at least once this weekend as the Browns are giving up over 151 rushing yards per game.

Pick: Pittsburgh

Kansas City Chiefs at New York Jets (-9)

The Kansas City Chiefs scored a not-so-impressive 10-3 win over a depleted Chicago Bears team last week. The offense mustered just 10 points and seven of those came off a successful end-of-the-half Hail Mary play. The defense looked great as they racked up seven sacks. However, that feat doesn’t look as impressive when one considers the fact that the Bears played backup quarterback Caleb Hanie.

The New York Jets’ offense should be able to put up more than three points against the Chiefs. Quarterback Mark Sanchez is playing well and his offensive line is keeping him upright; the unit hasn’t allowed a sack over the past two games. Running back Shonn Greene has also looked good. He’s averaged 4.6 yards per carry over his last four games and he had a career-best three rushing touchdowns against the Washington Redskins last week.

The Jets have one of the best pass defenses in the NFL. They allow just 204.6 passing yards per game and have allowed a total of 11 passing touchdowns all year. They shouldn’t have too much trouble defending the Chiefs’ Tyler Palko, who’s thrown just one touchdown to six interceptions.

Pick: New York

New England Patriots at Washington Redskins (+8)

The New England Patriots’ defense may give up lots of yards, but they also create lots of turnovers. The Patriots have five forced fumbles and 17 interceptions through 12 games. They should be able to force a turnover or two out of Washington Redskins quarterback Rex Grossman, who’s coughed up the

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