Steelers - Browns Preview and Predictions

Story by Yinzer Crazy 2022 Team MVP Adam Davidson

Since their return to Cleveland in the year 1999, the Browns have relished the chance to spoil the Steelers’ season, even if they have little to play for.

In what amounts to a subtle quirk of NFL scheduling over the past two decades, the Steelers have finished almost half of their regular season campaigns by either visiting Cleveland, or being paid a visit by Cleveland. That means in most years, the Browns have had an opportunity to send the playoff-bound Steelers into the postseason with the sting of a loss. While unsuccessful on most occasions, current Browns can fondly recall what transpired in 2020. Despite COVID, despite a dearth of fans in attendance around the NFL, the Browns defeated their arch-nemesis in back-to-back weeks, once in the regular season finale to secure a Wild Card spot, and again the playoffs.

The Browns’ Myles Garrett remembers the jubilation of accomplishing what no Browns player had done since the Browns returned to Cleveland. That is, winning a playoff game. And while much has changed with both teams, Garrett would prefer to relive that feeling once again by knocking the Steelers out of playoff contention in 2022, even if Cleveland has nothing to gain.

“We consider them our rivals,” Garrett said via WKYC. “Divisionally, if we can’t make it, we’re definitely going to make sure those guys can’t. We’re going to do everything in our power. Much respect to them for being in that position, but we live for times like this.”

Over several weeks, the Browns had fought and clawed their way back into the AFC Playoff picture only to be officially eliminated two weeks ago. Now, fighting the bitterness and frustration of coming up just short, the Browns enter Acrisure slinging words of resentment instead of merely swinging helmets.

Despite the bad blood and recent history that exists between the two franchises, not everyone in Cleveland is buying into Garrett’s “rah-rah” attitude. In fact, Myles Garrett will be without his partner in crime Sunday afternoon, as fellow defensive end Jadeveon Clowney was told to stay home during Friday’s practice upon publicly lashing out at his teammates and coaches for supposedly favoring Garrett. In response, Garrett echoed Mike Tomlin, suggesting the Brown’s need “volunteers, not hostages.”

No matter who the Browns field on defense this Sunday, Kenny Pickett will find himself formally inducted into the cross-state rivalry courtesy of at least one big hit. One week after proving his worth and weathering the storm versus the Ravens in his first trip to Baltimore, Pickett and company are riding high and risk being grounded by one opportune sack or fumble. And while other Browns’ players may show up on the stat sheet, it’s all about winning the matchup versus Garrett, who’s racked up 15 sacks on the year. No other Brown has more than three.

Behind Garrett, the Browns’ defense may be without Denzel Ward (questionable-ankle), a stalwart in the team’s secondary who’s second in team interceptions with three, behind safety Grant Delpit’s four. A porous secondary in the absence of Ward may mean more opportunities for Diontae Johnson to win in one-on-one matchups, and perhaps lead to his first score of the year. If it’s true that offensive coordinators do their best to script opening possessions, then Matt Canada is doing his best to ensure the Steelers finish off their opening drive, hopefully with a touchdown to Johnson. If the fourth-year wideout exits Sunday without a touchdown, he’ll secure the dubious distinction of having acquired the most receptions over the course of a season without scoring six points.

Elsewhere, George Pickens may find himself in favorable matchups with Greg Newsome II or Martin Emerson Jr. And if so, Pickett’s eyes should be wide at the snap of the ball considering Pickens recorded the first great catch of his career, a one-handed grab while falling backwards, in Cleveland. Since then, Pickens has done nothing but warrant the trust of his quarterback, as well as the respect of secondaries around the league.

While Pickett will be getting his first taste of Steelers-Browns action, so will Browns’ quarterback Deshaun Watson, who started slow to begin his tenure in Cleveland in early December, but has begun to reacclimate himself to NFL action. Watson’s mobility and improvisation will lead to mistakes by the Steelers’ defense on Sunday and it’s up to Steelers’ MVP Minkah Fitzpatrick to minimize whatever positive plays are made on the ground or through the air. However, Fitzpatrick is nursing an injured ankle and is currently questionable. It may be up to other defensive leaders such as TJ Watt and Cam Heyward to set the tempo and bully an offensive line that will be without tackle Jack Conklin. But whether or not Deshaun Watson will be the Pro-Bowl caliber player he has been this Sunday is really irrelevant. Everyone in the stadium knows who the Browns’ offense runs through.

In what will be a definite test of wills, the Steelers will face Nick Chubb and an offense that’s determined to run the air out of the football. After all, Chubb is currently on pace to do what only Jim Brown has accomplished, and that is to accumulate 1,500 rushing yards over one season with Cleveland. And if Myles Jack (questionable-groin) can’t suit up, the Steelers will have to rely heavily on the combination of Robert Spillane and Mark Robinson, who shined last week in Baltimore but have struggled at times in coverage. Considering Browns’ tight end David Njoku’s performance way back in week three, it will be a tall task to find the right formula to defend these Browns in most down-and-distance scenarios.

In breaking down the offensive and defensive matchups, it’s important to note the external factors that will be at play come Sunday - most notable of which will be the scoreboard. At the same time the Steelers and Browns kick off at 1:00, two other games (Jets/Dolphins and Bills/Patriots) will take place, both holding playoff implications for the Steelers. Pending the outcome of these two games - specifically a Jets victory and a Bills victory - the Steelers will be ushered into the postseason. If, of course, they take care of business at Acrisure.

No matter what, the Steelers will be watching the scoreboard with intent, knowing they’re either playing with everything to win or nothing to lose. It’s incumbent upon Mike Tomlin to stress the importance of the “here and now” on the sideline, or risk recording his first losing season. Perhaps that’s why he’s kept his players focused and active all week, even holding practice in pads down the stretch.

No one wants to be the man or be part of the unit responsible for Coach T’s first season under .500, especially at this point of the season. That’s why the Steelers will play inspired football this Sunday, even if they occasionally avert their eyes to the scoreboard.

Prediction: Steelers 24, Browns 16