After losing a surprisingly competitive game, 23-20 to Buffalo, the Browns play their home season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cleveland dropped the first meeting 23-9 back in week 6. Below, we’ll see how and if Cleveland can split the season series or if they’ll be swept by their most hated rival for the 17th time since 1999.
When it comes to the passing game, Pittsburgh is as run-of-the-mill as a team can be. QB Aaron Rodgers has played well enough to operate offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s system effectively. On the season, he’s thrown for 2,860 yards with 23 touchdowns. Even though he’s well past his prime years in Green Bay, his ability to take care of the ball still remains. His seven interceptions are tied for the third-fewest among quarterbacks with at least ten starts. This is just par for the course for Rodgers. Per Football Reference, the percentage of interceptions he’s thrown in his career (1.7٪) isn’t just the lowest among all active quarterbacks, but tied for the lowest in NFL history. After giving up 235 passing yards and two touchdowns, there’s pressure on Cleveland’s secondary to slow down the future Hall of Famer.
Rodgers will be without his favorite weapon, however, as WR D.K. Metcalf is currently serving a two-game suspension for getting into a physical altercation with a Lions fan during Pittsburgh’s 29-24 win against Detroit.
This season, the Steelers have been average when defending the run, but they may have found their groove recently. In the last two games, Pittsburgh’s given up a total of 78 rushing yards, all without allowing a rushing touchdown. If DE Cameron Heyward, or DT Keeanu Benton can get consistent penetration on a Cleveland offensive line that’s may be without Pro Bowl RG Wyatt Teller, it’ll most certainly spell doom for the Browns’ run game. Cleveland rookie RB Quinshon Judkins suffered a season-ending leg injury last Sunday, so that’ll leave fellow rookies Dylan Sampson, Raheim Sanders and seventh-year veteran Trayveon Williams as the only running backs on the Browns’ roster.
Pittsburgh’s secondary, much like the rest of its team, is a mixed bag. They give up the third-most passing yards (250.5), but they also average the fourth-most takeaways per game. They can say that they have legit playmakers, as well as defensive liabilities. Seven-time Pro Bowler Jalen Ramsey is in the midst of the worst season of his NFL career. Opposing quarterbacks have a passer rating of 113.5 when targeting Ramsey. He’s also tied for third for most receiving touchdowns given up as the primary defender (6). Now, part of his struggles this season could be due to him playing out of position. Ramsey has played exclusively as a Free Safety since week nine due to the starting FS Jabrill Peppers being out with an injured quad. Whether it’s him playing out of position, age, or scheme fit, long gone are the days of the former Florida State Seminole shutting down opposing receivers. Look for Cleveland to benefit from this by attacking the middle of the secondary deep.
It hasn’t been all bad for Pittsburgh’s secondary this season. CB Joey Porter Jr. has been playing at an All-Pro level. Per Football Reference, Porter Jr. has allowed the fifth-lowest completion percentage (47.5%) and the fourth-lowest passer rating (55.8%) when targeted among cornerbacks with at least ten starts. Statistically speaking, he’s one of, if not the best, cornerbacks in the league.
Strengths:
- Top 5 In Defensive Takeaways
- Effective QB Play
Weaknesses:
- Run Game Ineffective At Times
- #1 Receiver Inactive
- Offense Lacks Big-Play Ability
- Below Average Secondary
Keys To The Game:
- Control The Tempo
- Attack Deep Through The Air
Key Matchup:
- Cleveland Front Seven Vs. Jaylen Warren/ Kenneth Gainswell
The Steelers are an average team with an above-average record. They’re not great in any one aspect, but they’re serviceable enough to be considered a dangerous team. Pittsburgh’s main trait is the same that it’s been for decades now; they’re smart and they know how to win. This season, we’ve seen multiple times where the Steelers snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. As opposed to the Browns, where the second-half collapses are so routine you can time your watch by them. Normally, I couldn’t predict Cleveland winning this, but recently it feels possible. With no D.K. Metcalf and it being a home game, this has all the makings of a trap game. It’ll be a hard-hitting, low-scoring, stereotypical AFC North matchup, but I think Cleveland can pull it off by the thinnest of margins.
Score Prediction:
- CLE- 20
- PIT- 13
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