Steelers' Jaquan Brisker fined $17,911 for hit on Deshaun Watson; three Browns also fined
The NFL fined Steelers safety Jaquan Brisker $17,911 for his hit on Deshaun Watson. Three Browns were also fined after Pittsburgh's 27-6 win.
Pittsburgh's 27-6 win over Cleveland cost one Steelers defender some money. The NFL fined safety Jaquan Brisker $17,911 for his hit on Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. The league listed the foul as a "blow to the head/neck," according to SB Nation.
Brisker was the only Steeler fined from the game in that report. Three Browns were fined too. Cornerback Tyson Campbell drew the largest fine, $23,882 for use of the helmet. Running back Quinshon Judkins was fined $11,941 for taunting, and defensive end Sam Williams was fined $6,361, also for taunting. The three Cleveland fines add up to $42,184. Counting Brisker, the game produced $60,095 in fines.
The fine doesn't come with a suspension, so Brisker remains available for the defense. That defense has been the main reason for Pittsburgh's recent run. The Steelers held Cleveland to six points a week after allowing 10 to New Orleans, the two lowest totals they have given up this season. The win also settled a score from earlier in the year, when Pittsburgh lost 27-24 in Cleveland. Repeat fines could cost Brisker more, but the hit doesn't change who is on the field.
What it means for Cincinnati
The Steelers are 6-2 and have won four straight: 34-22 over Indianapolis, 26-19 at Tampa Bay, 16-10 over New Orleans and the rout of the Browns. In those four games they have scored 103 points and allowed 57. Over the full season they have outscored opponents 180-144. Their two losses came on the road, 20-3 at New England and the three-point loss in Cleveland.
Next up is a road trip to Cincinnati on Sunday, November 15, on NBC. The teams already met once this season, a 30-27 Pittsburgh win at home. A rematch on the road is a different test for a team that is 2-2 away from home.
The market still has Cincinnati favored despite Pittsburgh's form. On this site's board, which tracks six venues, the Bengals are -156 on the moneyline at Novig, and the Steelers are +125 there. The best Pittsburgh price anywhere is +150 at DraftKings, 25 cents more than Novig's number. That works out to $150 in profit per $100 at DraftKings and $125 at Novig. Sportsbook hold on the moneyline runs from 3.9% to 5.0%.
The spread is split between a field goal and a hook. FanDuel has the best Cincinnati number at -3 (-110), and DraftKings has the best Pittsburgh number at +3.5 (-110). The total is 47.5 across the board. At Novig the over is priced at -117 and the under at even money, and BetRivers has the best over price at -107. That number is well above what Pittsburgh's last two games produced, 33 and 26 total points. It is closer to the 57 combined points in the first meeting with the Bengals.
Whether the defense that has given up 16 points over the last two weeks can hold up on the road against a familiar division opponent is the main question heading into Week 11. A second sweep of a division rival this month would also go a long way in the AFC North race.
