CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The 3-9 Cleveland Browns travel to Pittsburgh to face the first place 9-3 Steelers in Week 14.
Here’s what we are watching for.
Been a bit – The Browns haven’t swept the season series from the Steelers since 1988 and they haven’t won a regular season game in Pittsburgh since 2003 where they’ve lost 20 straight regular season games. The home team has won the last six games in the series.
Let it rip – For better or worse, Jameis Winston plays without fear. Winston is coming off a franchise record 497 yard passing game with four touchdowns in Monday night’s 41-32 loss at Denver but he threw three interceptions, including two pick-6s. The Browns are 2-3 with Winston, who has thrown 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions, as the starter but they are averaging over 6 points more per game with Winston at quarterback. Winston is 1 of 3 quarterbacks in the NFL (Joe Burrow and Baker Mayfield) with 325-plus passing yards and two-plus touchdown passes in three games this season.
Rematch of the century – Myles Garrett, who racked up three sacks in the 24-19 win over the Steelers November 21, is 1.5 sacks shy of 100 for his career. It would make Garrett, who is fourth in the NFL with 10.0 sacks this season, the fourth-fastest since 1982, when sacks became a recorded statistic, to reach the milestone and the first ever to do it before turning 29. Garrett would also become the fifth player to do it in his first eight seasons. Garrett outplayed Steelers rusher T.J. Watt in that win. Watt, who has 106 career sacks, has forced an NFL-best five fumbles this season.
Man of the Year – Not only was Browns cornerback Denzel Ward named the team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee this week, Ward is having his best season. The 2018 No. 4 overall selection leads the NFL with 19 pass breakups. Ward is the first player since passes defensed became a stat in 1999 to record at least 10 of them and two interceptions in his first six seasons and he is one of two players to have at least two interceptions in every season since 2018.
Tough talk – Steelers receiver George Pickens, who tried to start a fight with Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II on the final play in Cleveland over two weeks ago, tried to diss Newsome on Friday by saying he didn’t know who he was. Newsome countered by referencing Pickens’ frequent unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and general selfishness. Pickens, just fined over $20,000 for two unsportsmanlike penalties against the Bengals last week, was among a few Steelers who said the snow in Cleveland was the deciding factor in the Browns’ November 21 win.
Saturday moves – The Browns made a host of roster moves starting with placing left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. on injured reserve, likely ending his career in Cleveland. Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II was also put on IR. Receivers Kadarius Toney and Michael Woods II were signed to the active roster from practice squad. Defensive tackle T.Y. McGill and receiver James Proche II were elevated for the game from the practice squad and cornerback Myles Harden was downgraded to out.
Last Time – November 21, 2024: Browns 24, Steelers 19
Series – Pittsburgh leads all-time 79-63-1
Last week – Browns lost to the Broncos41-32, Steelers beat the Bengals 44-38
How they compare – Here’s a look at how the two teams match up statistically.
Points scored: Browns 18.17, Steelers 24.67
Yards: Browns 314.1, Steelers 344.0
Rushing: Browns 87.3, Steelers 133.1
Passing: Browns 226.8, Steelers 210.9
Points allowed: Browns 25.7, Steelers 18.7
Yards allowed: Browns 349.6, Steelers 311.0
Rushing yards allowed: Browns 128.6, Steelers 90.5
Passing yards allowed: Browns 221.0, Steelers 220.5
Turnover ratio: Browns -8, Steelers +15
Probable Starters – Offense: WR Jerry Jeudy, LT Germain Ifedi, LG Joel Bitonio, C Ethan Pocic, RG Wyatt Teller, RT Jack Conklin, TE David Njoku, QB Jameis Winston, RB Nick Chubb, TE Jordan Akins, WR Elijah Moore
Defense: DE Myles Garrett, DT Dalvin Tomlinson, DT Shelby Harris, DE Ogbo Okoronkwo, LB Mohamoud Diabate, LB Devin Bush, CB Denzel Ward, CB Greg Newsome II, CB MJ Emerson, S Juan Thornhill, S Rodney McLeod
Injury report – OUT: DT Maurice Hurst (ankle), CB Myles Harden (tibia), DT Sam Kamara (concussion), WR Cedric Tillman (concussion); QUESTIONABLE: WR Jamari Thrash (shoulder), S Juan Thornhill (calf)
Uniforms – White jersey, orange pants, orange helmet
Broadcast – 92.3 The Fan, 98.5 WNCX and the University Hospitals radio network; WOIO TV-19 (CBS)
Kickoff – 1:03 p.m. Acrisure Stadium; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Our prediction – Steelers 26, Browns 22
