CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – In an unusual scheduling twist this year, the Browns finally open AFC North play, on Halloween against the Steelers.
Cleveland has won the last two meetings between the teams and looks for a third straight victory over Pittsburgh for the first time since winning seven in a row from 1986-1989.
In January the Browns clinched their first playoff berth in 18 years, ending the league’s longest playoff drought with a 24-22 win to end the regular season at FirstEnergy Stadium and then the following week eliminated the Steelers with a 48-37 Wild Card victory at Heinz Field.
Overall, the Steelers have owned the Browns since 1999, going 36-9-1.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is one victory shy of tying Hall of Famer Bill Cowher for second on the franchise’s all-time win list. Cowher went 149-90-1 from 1992-2006. Tomlin is 148-81-1 since replacing Cowher in 2007.
What to watch for – Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield will play after being medically cleared, and according to head coach Kevin Stefanski he is “functionally 100%,” despite a torn left labrum and fracture of the humerus bone. Mayfield, who is completing 67.1% of his passes with six touchdowns and three interceptions, looks to become the first Browns QB in the expansion era to beat Pittsburgh three straight times.
Cleveland’s offense is as close to full strength as it has been in weeks as far as player availability goes. For the first time this season receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry will take the field together with Mayfield, although all three players are banged up. Beckham is dealing with a sprained shoulder and Landry a knee injury coming off a stint on IR for a sprained MCL. Running back Nick Chubb, who is fourth in the NFL in rushing with 523 yards, also returns after sitting two games out with a calf strain.
The Browns offensive line is finally intact and somewhat healthy. Jedrick Wills Jr. was able to practice all week for the first time since before the season began and Jack Conklin returns from a knee injury that kept him out the last two games and limited him in practice. They’ll need to be stout up front to protect Mayfield and his injured left shoulder while trying to keep Steelers rusher T.J. Watt, who has seven sacks this season, at bay.
With Chubb back, D’Ernest Johnson, who ripped off 146 yards and his first NFL touchdown in place of both Hunt and Chubb last week, will serve as the No. 2 back this week and he should still get plenty of touches as the Browns will likely try to control the game on the ground.
Sunday could be Ben Roethlisberger’s final trip to Cleveland as a Steeler. For years Roethlisberger, who is a Findley, Ohio native, has tormented the Browns going 23-2-1 in the regular season against them, but 0-1 in the playoffs. At 39, Roethlisberger is completing 64.4% of his passes this season with seven touchdowns and four interceptions. While less mobile than he used to be, Roethlisberger and Pittsburgh’s offense can’t be taken lightly.
Browns defensive end Myles Garrett continues to lead the NFL with 9 ½ sacks and he has his eyes on Big Ben to add to that total. Garrett has five sacks against the Steelers in his career and he ranks second for the most sacks in franchise history, trailing Clay Matthews Jr. by 10, with 52 since being drafted No. 1 overall in 2017.
Steelers rookie running back Najee Harris got 30 touches for a combined 127 yards and a touchdown two weeks ago in an overtime win at home against Seattle. The Steelers have gone over 100 yards rushing in each of their last two games after doing it just once in their previous 16.
Last week – Steelers had a bye; Browns beat the Broncos 17-14
Last Time – January 10, 2021: AFC Wild Card Browns 48, Steelers 37
Series – Steelers lead all-time 75-60-1
Rankings – Points: Steelers 26 (19.5), Browns 13 (24.7)
Yards: Steelers 27 (323.8), Browns 9 (393.4)
Rushing: Steelers 29 (81.2), Browns 1 (170.4)
Passing: Steelers 15 (242.7), Browns 28 (223.0)
Points allowed: Steelers 12 (22.0), Browns 17 (23.6)
Yards allowed: Steelers 12 (352.3), Browns 2 (295.6)
Rushing yards allowed: Steelers 12 (107.7), Browns 3 (80.4)
Passing yards allowed: Steelers 15 (244.7), Browns 7 (215.1)
Turnover ratio: Steelers T-18 (-2), Browns T-18 (-2)
Projected starters for Browns – Offense: WR Odell Beckham Jr., LT Jedrick Wills Jr., LG Joel Bitonio, C JC Tretter, RG Wyatt Teller, RT Jack Conklin, TE Austin Hooper, WR Jarvis Landry, QB Baker Mayfield, RB Nick Chubb, FB Johnny Stanton IV
Defense: DE Myles Garrett, DT Malik Jackson, DT Malik McDowell, DE Jadeveon Clowney, WILL Malcolm Smith, MIKE Anthony Walker, DB Troy Hill, CB Greg Newsome II, CB Greedy Williams, SS Ronnie Harrison Jr., FS John Johnson III
Injury report – OUT: WR Donovan Peoples-Jones (groin), CB Denzel Ward (hamstring); QUESTIONABLE: WR Odell Beckham Jr. (shoulder), DE Jadeveon Clowney (ankle, groin, knee), CB A.J. Green (groin), DT Malik Jackson (ankle), DE Takkarist McKinley (groin), FB Johnny Stanton IV (calf); EXPECTED TO PLAY: QB Baker Mayfield (left shoulder), RB Nick Chubb (calf), RT Jack Conklin (knee), LB Tony Fields (illness), OL Blake Hance (elbow), WR Jarvis Landry (knee), C J.C. Tretter (knee), LT Jedrick Wills (ankle), LB Mack Wilson (calf), LB Malcolm Smith (abdomen)
Uniforms – Brown jerseys, orange pants
Broadcast – Radio: 92.3 The Fan, 98.5 WNCX and the University Hospitals Cleveland Browns radio network. TV: WOIO-TV 19 (CBS)
Kickoff – 1:05 p.m. FirstEnergy Stadium – Cleveland, Ohio
Prediction – Browns 26, Steelers 23
Our record – 5-2
