3. Cleveland vs. 6. Pittsburgh
How Cleveland can win: A powerful offensive line featuring four Hall of Famers keys a powerful running game with Marion Motley and Larry Csonka. No defensive front is stopping that, and if the Steelers cheat up their relatively weak safeties to help, QB Len Dawson can torch the secondary with big-play receivers Paul Warfield and Dante Lavelli. Cleveland is well equipped to handle the Pittsburgh running game, thanks to Hall of Famers Alan Page, Bill Willis and Jack Lambert in the middle of the field. Charles Woodson and Antoine Winfield at cornerback present a big advantage over the Pittsburgh wideouts. — Jeff Risdon, Browns Wire
How Pittsburgh can win: The Steelers and QB Joe Montana must find a way to throw the ball against Cleveland CBs Charles Woodson and Antoine Winfield. The two-headed monster of Tony Dorsett and Curtis Martin at running back is great, but the sledding will be difficult against this stout Cleveland defense. But can you ever count out Montana — even when he seems outmatched? Look for Montana and WR Tyler Boyd to make some big connections. Cleveland has a talented offensive line, but the players in the backfield don’t terrify talents such as Jack Ham, Aaron Donald and Sean Gilbert. Get ready for some old-school slugfest football. — Curt Popejoy, Steelers Wire
[opinary poll=”which-team-wins-this-matchup_usatodayhss-e4Zw86″ customer=”usatoday”]
Other matchups:
Hou vs LAC / KC vs Ten / Mia vs LV // Dal vs Was / SF vs Atl / LAR vs Car / NO vs Det