Nov 19, 2016 4 min read

Accountability and attention to detail have been words bandied about the Steelers locker room the past couple of weeks.

They are things you hear from teams that are on four-game losing streaks.

But, nothing fixes a team’s problems quite like winning.

Think about this. If the Steelers had won last week’s game against Dallas, which they certainly could have done, nobody would be talking about accountability or attention to detail. They would only be talking about how the Steelers went toe-to-toe with a team that has one of the best records in the NFL and won.

It very well could have happened if not for a slight grasp of the facemask by rookie safety Sean Davis that gave the Cowboys 15 extra yards and moved them into field goal range.

If the playoffs started today – which, I realize they don’t – the Steelers would have faced six teams currently going to the playoffs. They’ve gone 2-4 in those games, including an easy win over the Kansas City Chiefs, the team currently holding the No. 1 spot in the AFC.

Baltimore, the team the Steelers are chasing, has played only three such teams and lost all three times.

Cincinnati, a half game behind the Steelers at 3-5-1, has played five games against current playoff teams and is 0-4-1.

The schedules of both Baltimore and Cincinnati are more difficult than what remains for the Steelers. But they have to start winning again, first.

If the Steelers are struggling through a four-game losing streak, imagine how dire things are in Cleveland. The Browns lost their final three games of last season, all four of their preseason games and all 10 games this season.

The Steelers haven’t won in nearly a month. The Browns haven’t won in nearly a year.

The Cavaliers won an NBA championship and the Indians have played in the World Series since the Browns last won a game.

That’s unlikely to change today.

Ben Roethlisberger, a player the Browns passed on taking in the draft in 2004, has been making Cleveland pay for that mistake ever since. Roethlisberger’s 19-2 record against the Browns gives him a .905 winning percentage against them, the highest of any quarterback against a single team since the NFL merger in 1970.

And that doesn’t count his game last season, when he replaced an injured Landry Jones and threw for 379 yards and three TDs. It’s an NFL

He also threw for 349 yards and three scores in the rematch in Cleveland to end the regular season. Roethlisberger just owns the Browns, against whom he is 9-2 in Cleveland.

Roethlisberger has had his issues on the road of late, leading to Pittsburgh’s current 1-3 mark away from home. But they rarely happen against Cleveland.

The Steelers are 9-point favorites to get back on the winning track in Cleveland and should do that.

Take the Steelers, 31-17

Long trip or no, the Patriots figure to be ticked off and the 49ers haven’t won since Week 1.

Take New England, 34-17

With 17 touchdown passes in his past six games, Marcus Mariota might be the hottest QB in the league.

Take Tennessee, 31-27

Second-consecutive road game for the Bears, who are just terrible.

Take the Giants, 27-13

This one is in Mexico, so it’s technically a road game for both teams. Texans have one road win, the Raiders haven’t lost on the road.

Take Oakland, 31-23

Jared Goff finally makes his debut. Miami hasn’t lost since beating the Steelers.

Take Miami, 20-14

Seahawks might come out a little flat after knocking off the Patriots.

Take Seattle to cover in a 21-17 loss

The Ravens don’t have enough offensively to win on the road against a good team. In fact, they have yet to beat a team with a winning record this season.

Take Dallas, 24-16

The loser of this game is likely out of the running for the playoffs.

Take Cincinnati, 24-17

The Lions, of all teams, just might be the team to beat in the NFC North.

Take Detroit, 30-23

Remember that 5-0 start by the Vikings? This loss will drop them to 5-5.

Take Arizona, 20-17

The Packers are a red-hot mess defensively.

Take Washington, 31-27

The Chiefs haven’t lost since getting trounced by the Steelers in Week 4. But this spot might be too high for a banged-up Chiefs team.

Take Tampa Bay to cover in a 27-20 loss

Last Week: 5-8 ATS; 6-7 Straight up

Overall: 57-71-4 ATS; 72-62-2 Straight up

Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com.