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Steeler Nation doesn’t just reside in the surrounding areas of Western Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. It is a world-wide army that lives and dies with the team that calls Pittsburgh it’s home. The six-time Super Bowl champions always strive for excellence, and their fans expect nothing less.
This is the preview that all fans of the black and gold come to find everything they need to know about the Steelers and their upcoming opponent! Mike Drakulich (@PghSportsNation) of Steelers Wire brings you inside the huddle for both teams, providing a weekly game story, the Steelers game plan to victory, score prediction, game day information, a detailed breakdown of each team, and up to date team injury reports. Heck, you’ll even know the weather at kickoff. The only thing you’re missing is a game uniform.
Steelers vs Browns looking a little like the old days
There once was a time when the Pittsburgh Steelers had trouble beating the Cleveland Browns. Those days were the mid to late 80’s, seeping a little bit into the early 90’s.
Since 1992, the Browns have only beaten the Steelers just nine times out of the last 52 times they’ve met.
Ben Roethlisberger has never lost to the Browns at Heinz Field, and Big Ben is still the winningest QB at Browns Stadium.
Last year, the old rivalry heated up when a brutal last second fight broke out between the teams when Browns DE Myles Garrett ripped the helmet off of Steeler QB Mason Rudolph, and then swung it at the bare head of Rudolph, landing a glancing blow.
Garrett was suspended the rest of the season, so he was not on the field when the Steelers defeated the Browns 20-13 in the December grudge match.
The undefeated Steelers (4-0) will host the streaking Browns (4-1) this Sunday afternoon at Heinz Field, and it has a feel of old times, when these two teams and cities had a hate for each other like no other.
Both teams aren’t expecting any type of fights that marred last year’s game, but Garrett knows his first appearance since that game in Pittsburgh won’t be very friendly.
“We are the Browns,” said Garrett. “I expect to get booed.”
Garrett implied he wouldn’t be looking to make amends with Rudolph, but to just play the game to the best of his abilities.
“Haven’t thought about it,” Garrett said. “Focused on how I am going to get to Roethlisberger. I will cross that bridge when I come to it, whether it’s down the road or whenever. … I am just focused on getting a win. That comes secondary.”
The Browns limp into Pittsburgh with Baker Mayfield questionable with sore to possible broken ribs. Both starting receivers in Odell Beckham, Jr. and Jarvis Landry are questionable as well.
“He is doing better, yes,” said Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, in reference to Beckham’s health. “If all goes according to plan for tomorrow, you spend even more time and you spend even more walk-through time. I think there is enough time to catch him up, barring his health.”
Regardless of who plays, the Steeler defense will be out to fix a few problems that plagued them in last week’s win vs the Eagles.
Time after time, the Eagles were able to convert on 3rd down situations, and it’s a problem that the players vow to take care of.
“Third downs,” linebacker Vince Williams said Friday, “is absolutely something that we could work on.”
Four games in, Pittsburgh is allowing their opponents to convert 50% of the time (28-56) on 3rd down. Philadelphia converted ten straight, making little know Travis Fulgham look like Jerry Rice.
“We just didn’t do a good job of controlling the circumstances, and, really, to be quite honest with you, some of the circumstances were advantageous to us, meaning third-and-long,” coach Mike Tomlin said.
The Steelers seemed to scale back their blitzing in those situations, a move that allowed Carson Wentz too much time to pass.
“We have to do a better job of coaching,” said defensive coordinator Keith Butler. “If we do a little better of a job of coaching in terms of a disguise and stuff like that, I think it would help our guys out a little bit. It’s just not one person, one group or anything like that.”
Normally, Pittsburgh blitzes 48% of the time, but only 27% on 3rd downs.
“Some of it is to change up,” Butler said, “some of it is … you’d rather have four men rush on certain things. You have to be aware of your quarterback’s (scrambling) capabilities, also.”
Pittsburgh corner Joe Haden sees the problems being cured this week vs his former mates in Cleveland.
“Third downs is something we have been working on big-time,” Haden said. “We have been watching tape on that all week. … Everything that we saw on tape, getting beat on those third downs, was something that was an easy fix.”
Prediction
If you’re a fan of either team, you know the very second your team’s game ended last week you were looking forward to this one.
Neither team really has a healthy like for one another, and that’s the way it should be. The Steelers and Browns used to have one of the nastiest rivalries in all of sports, and the two cities equally hate each other.
The Browns have rebounded nicely since being pounded by the Ravens in the season opener, but their good fortunes will be coming to and end this Sunday at Heinz Field.
Look for Ben Roethlisberger to exploit the Brown’s secondary with plenty of looks to Juju Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, James Washington, and Chase Claypool. Tight end Eric Ebron could also have a big role if he stops dropping passes.
Pittsburgh will shut down the Brown’s running game, which will force Baker Mayfield to try and beat the Steelers himself. Don’t count on it.
Rivalry? The bug does not share a rivalry with the windshield… Steelers 34 Browns 20.
Steelers game plan to victory
Offense
- Attack the Browns secondary: A very weak Cleveland secondary has to have Ben Roethlisberger and the receivers salivating at putting up some big numbers.
- Find balance: Yes, the Browns can be passed on, but James Conner should still see 15-20 carries to keep Cleveland guessing.
Defense
- Target Mayfield’s ribs: In the words of Cobra Kai’s John Creese, “We do not train to be merciful in this (game), do we?” The Steelers defense will be after Mayfield to force him into some bad throws.
- Force the Browns to pass: Want to beat the Browns? You stop their rushing attack, which has been dominant behind Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Chubb is out, so the vaunted Steelers run defense needs to shut Hunt down.
A look at the Pittsburgh Steelers
Overall record: 4-0
Head coach: Mike Tomlin (13th Season with Steelers)
- Overall regular-season record: 137-74-1
- Playoff record: 8-7 (Qualified for playoffs 8 times)
2020 Pittsburgh Steelers Team Roster
Steelers Team/Individual Statistics
Pittsburgh Steelers 2020 Schedule
Last game: Steelers 38 Eagles 29
Steelers offense
- Points per game: 29.5
- Total yards per game: 378.3
- Passing yards per game: 239.5
- Rushing yards per game: 138.8
Scouting report: Ben Roethlisberger is playing as good as he ever has in his eventual HOF career. Big Ben has 10 touchdowns so far and passed for 1,016 yards in three games and just one interception.
Juju Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, and Chase Claypool lead a talented trio of wide receivers. Johnson is 2nd on the team with 15 receptions for 147 yards and a TD. Claypool is having a big rookie year with 13 catches for 261 and a team-leading four scores. Smith-Schuster leads the team with 21 catches for 188 yards and three touchdowns. James Washington (13-117-1) can line up in a few spots and usually comes up with some big catches. TE’s Eric Ebron and Vance McDonald give Big Ben huge targets across the middle and down in the red zone. Ebron now has 14 catches for 156 yards and a TD.
James Conner can put up numbers when he is healthy, and so far, so good. Conner has rushed for 268 yards and three scores, and has 11 receptions for 82 yards. Benny Snell looks good in his 2nd year, leaner and a hint faster. He rushed for 113 yards in the opener when Conner sustained an ankle injury, but has been prone to putting the ball on the carpet, something that will land you on the bench under Mike Tomlin. Anthony McFarland, Jr. has been plugged into the rushing attack and has run for 48 yards and nine carries.
Ray-Ray McCloud has been used as an x-factor type weapon, gaining 63 yards on two carries, and has three catches for 12 yards.
This is an offense capable of putting up big numbers weekly, especially if they start finishing drives in the endzone instead of settling for field goals.
Starting Quarterback: Ben Roethlisberger | Back-up: Mason Rudolph
Running Backs: James Conner, Benny Snell, Jaylen Samuels, and Anthony McFarland, Jr.
Fullback: Derick Watt
Wide Receivers: Juju Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, James Washington, Chase Claypool, and Ray-Ray McCloud III
Tight Ends: Eric Ebron, Vance McDonald, and Zach Gentry
Offensive Line
Left Tackle: Alejandro Villanueva
Left Guard: Matt Feiler
Center: Maurkice Pouncey
Right Guard: Kevin Dotson / David DeCastro
Right Tackle: Chukwuma Okorafor
Steelers Defense (Base 3-4)
Scouting report: As good as advertised. They are fast and physical. They defend the run well and put constant pressure on opposing quarterbacks with a variety of blitzes. Cam Heyward anchors the defensive line and is a yearly all-pro. T.J. Watt is one of the best defensive players in the game at linebacker, and he is aided by Devin Bush on the inside. Minkah Fitzpatrick leads an impressive secondary with two good corners in Joe Haden and Steven Nelson. The Steelers have recorded 20 sacks so far and six interceptions.
The one knock against the defense that nearly cost them the game last week vs Philadelphia, was their inability to get off the field on 3rd down and long situations. For some reason, the Steelers didn’t blitz as often, allowing Carson Wentz to make plays he shouldn’t have had time to make. This team is at it’s best when it is in attack mode.
- Points per game allowed: 21.8
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 301.5
- Passing yards allowed: 237.5
- Rushing yards allowed: 64
- Sacks:20
- Interceptions: 6
Defensive End: Cam Heyward
Defensive Tackle: Tyson Alualu
Defensive End: Stephon Tuitt
Left OLB: T.J. Watt
Left ILB: Devin Bush
Right ILB: Vince Williams
Right OLB: Bud Dupree
Cornerback: Joe Haden
Strong Safety: Terrell Edmunds
Free Safety: Minkah Fitzpatrick
Cornerback: Steven Nelson
*Nickle: Mike Hilton
Special Teams
Scouting report: Chris Boswell is solid as ever at place kicker. Ray-Ray McCloud is making a name for himself, averaging 27.4 yards per kickoff return, and 12.5 per punt return. Diontae Johnson was the return man on punts, but is injured.
Placekicker: Chris Boswell (FG: 6-6 | Extra Points: 12-13)
Punter: Dustin Colquitt (43.5 yards per punt)
Kickoff Returners: Anthony McFarland, Jr. and Ray-Ray McCloud
Punt Returner: Diontae Johnson* and Ray-Ray McCloud
*Injured
A look at the Cleveland Browns
Overall record: 4-1
Head coach: Kevin Stefanski (1st season with Browns)
- Overall regular-season record: 4-1 / 4-1 with Browns
- Playoff record: 0-0 (Qualified for playoffs 0 times)
Cleveland Team/Individual Statistics
Last game: Browns 32 Colts 23
Browns Offense
- Points per game: 31.2
- Total Offense per game: 386.6
- Passing yards per game: 198.2
- Rushing yards per game: 188.4
Scouting report: The Browns have an excellent rushing attack, gashing opponents for 188 yards a game. The passing game leaves a bit to be desired, but the Browns offense is still averaging 31.2 points per contest.
Baker Mayfield isn’t living up to the hype he was supposed to bring to Cleveland, but he is playing much better this season. Mayfield has thrown for 976 yards, with nine TD’s and just four interceptions. He has been sacked seven times.
His top targets are Odell Beckham, Jr. and Jarvis Landry, but both are questionable to play this Sunday. Beckham is tied for the team lead with 21 receptions for 294 yards and three scores. Landry has 21 for 279 yards and no touchdowns. If either or both miss time, Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and Taywan Taylor are next in line. Higgins is the only one out of the three with any stats, catching four passes for just 40 yards. The Browns utilize a trio of tight ends in Austin Hooper, Harrison Bryant, and David Njoku. Hooper is 3rd on the team with 17 receptions for 153 yards and a TD.
Nick Chubb was the starter and having a good year but is out injured. Kareem Hunt has stepped in and played very well. Hunt has 347 yards rushing with three touchdowns. He is dangerous out of the backfield with 11 receptions for 63 yards and another three touchdowns. De’Ernest Johnson, and Dontrell Hilliard will spell Hunt from time to time.
Starting Quarterback: Baker Mayfield | Back-up: Case Keenum
Running Backs: Nick Chubb*, Kareem Hunt, De’Ernest Johnson, and Dontrell Hilliard
Wide Receivers: Odell Beckham, Jr., Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and Taywan Taylor
Tight Ends: Austin Hooper, Harrison Bryant, and David Njoku
*Injured
Browns Defense (Base 3-4)
Scouting report: Lead by DE Myles Garrett, the Browns have a formidable run defense, only allowing 87 yards per game. The pass defense, however, is brutal, giving up nearly 300 yards a game. The Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger will definitely be looking to attack through the air, and will use their variety of weapons to exploit the weak Browns secondary.
- Points per game allowed: 29.8
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 383.4
- Passing yards allowed: 296.4
- Rushing yards allowed: 87
- Sacks: 12
- Interceptions: 6
Game Day Information
Venue: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA.
Field: Kentucky Bluegrass
Game-time: Sunday, October 18th, 1:00 pm
TV: CBS (Local on KDKA-TV)
- Announcers: Jim Nantz (play-by-play) Tony Romo (analyst) Tracy Wolfson (reporter)
Local radio: Pittsburgh- 102.5 WDVE & WBGG 970 AM
- Announcers: Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play) Tunch Ilkin (analyst) Craig Wolfley (sideline) Missi Matthews (sideline)
Internet broadcast: Steelers Nation Radio (SNR) on Steelers.com
Weather at kickoff: 60 and partly cloudy. Winds N 10 mph.
Vegas line: Pittsburgh -3.5
NFL Standings / NFL Scoreboard
Steelers vs Eagles history
Steelers are 76-59-1 overall vs Browns
- Series History: Began in 1950
- At home: 42-21
- On the road: 38-28-1
- Neutral Site: 0-0
- Postseason: 2-0
- Streak: Steelers won the last game.
- Last regular-season meeting: Steelers Win, 20-13 (Dec. 1, 2019)
- Last postseason meeting: Steelers Win, 36-33 (Jan. 5, 2003)
Injury report (10/16/20)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Out: WR Diontae Johnson (Back), G David DeCastro (Abs)
- Doubtful: None
- Questionable: None
Cleveland Browns
- Out: S Ronnie Harrison (Concussion), S Karl Joseph (Hamstring), LB Jacob Phillips (Knee), G Wyatt Teller (Calf)
- Doubtful: None
- Questionable: WR Odell Beckham Jr. (Illness), P Jamie Gillian (Left Groin), WR Jarvis Landry (Hip/Ribs), QB Baker Mayfield (Chest), DT Larry Ogunjobi (Abdomen), DE Olivier Vernon (Groin) – Questionable
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