Losing winnable games is nothing new to the Browns or their fans; this one, however, hurts. As the old saying goes, “the show must go on,” and so does Cleveland’s focus as they prepare to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers. We’ll see what the Browns should do to right the ship against their bitter rivals.
It’s hard to believe that a team with the fourth-best record in the AFC has an offense this anemic. Currently, they rank towards the bottom of the league in total yards per game. They’re a pass-first team, mainly because with starting RB Jaylen Warren out, their run game has been mostly dreadful. Minus Kenneth Gainswell’s ninety-nine-yard two-touchdown performance, no Pittsburgh running back has more than forty-eight yards in a game. Rodgers hasn’t been horrible per se, but it’s a vast difference compared to his dominant tenure in Green Bay. His 44.5 quarterback rating is the 8th worst in the league. While still showing flashes of the brilliance we’ve come accustomed to, it’s obvious Father Time has caught up with Rodgers. While he’s no longer a dual-threat, he can still deliver accurate passes. He completed 68.5% of his passes, tenth-best among quarterbacks with at least four starts. If the Browns hope to come away with a win, disrupting the Rodgers-to-D.K. Metcalf connection is vital.
Pittsburgh’s defense is the very definition of “feast or famine.” They’re either making game-changing plays or getting gashed. They have the second most takeaways in the NFL (10, JAX has most with 14), but they allow 382.5 total yards per game, the fifth most in the league. They have a sack rate of 9.21%, second only to Denver, but they also give up the second-most passing yards per game at 260.5. This defensive unit will also be headed into Sunday with notable names on the injury list. With cornerbacks Joey Porter Jr. and Jalen Ramsey, both designated as questionable with hamstring injuries, this could be a favorable matchup for Cleveland’s WRs.
Strengths:
- Strong Pass Rush
- Well Disciplined Team
- Very Opportunistic Defense
Weaknesses:
- Subpar Run Offense
- Banged-Up Secondary Could Be Exploited
Keys To The Game:
- Establish Run Game Early
- Convert 3rd Downs
- Neutralize Pass Rush With Double-Team/ Chip Blocks
Key Matchup:
- Cleveland Secondary Vs. D.K. Metcalf
At first glance, this Steeler team is a well-oiled machine, much as they have been for the past two decades. They stand at the top of the AFC North at 3-1, and they boast multiple notable players on both sides of the ball. A look deeper, however, shows the real picture in the Steel City. They’re pretty much a middle-of-the-road roster, with more deficiencies than talent. The thing that’s propelling them to such a hot start is the same thing that has carried their team since the early 2000s: coaching. The Steelers are a smart, well-coached team. They commit the fewest penalties per game (0.04) while having the best turnover margin (+1.8). They don’t make boneheaded mistakes, and they know how to execute when necessary. While they’re not the most talented, they’re one of, if not the most cerebral, composed teams in the league. The credit for that goes to Mike Tomlin and his staff.
There is some history on Cleveland’s side in this contest. The last rookie quarterback to beat Pittsburgh was, surprisingly enough, our own Dorian Thompson-Robinson in 2023, but that game was played in Cleveland. When playing against rookie QBs at then-Hinez Field, now-Acrisure Stadium, the Steelers are 13-1, with their lone loss coming to Dallas and a young Dak Prescott in 2016. I don’t think Dillon Gabriel and arguably the worst offense in the league can put up enough points to come away with a win.
Score Prediction:
- CLE-13
- PIT- 24
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