Duel Opinions: Steelers/Browns Keys to the Game (2017, Week 1)

Each week the Steel City Underground staff will put their brilliant minds to task in order to come up with their keys to the game, or, those players, coaching decisions, or situations which could determine the outcome of the game.

Joe Kuzma

I’m going to go with Joe Haden for my key to this game. If a rookie quarterback makes a mockery of him, it could signal a bad move by the Steelers to go out and spend the money to grab him. If he also underperforms, it may show that the secondary is in really bad shape with no true backup plan in sight (Cameron Sutton was placed on IR; last year’s starter Ross Cockrell was traded away).

If Joe Haden is the real deal and shows up his former team, the 2017 season will start on a positive note for the Steelers.

Brian Roach

The Browns secondary is suspect in my mind, so for me, the key is Ben and his receivers being on the same page. It’s time for Martavis to announce his return with “AUTHOR-I-TIE!” AB, Le’Veon, Justin Hunter, JuJu, and Eli should all also get in on the fun, but I’m looking for #10 to have a big game and make the Browns secondary have nightmares.

Eric Herrmann

My key to the game is Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler. The Browns quarterback is a rookie 2nd round pick. Though Deshone Kizer has shown he’s capable of making big-time throws, there’s a reason he fell in the draft.

It’s up to Butler to get creative schematically in order to confuse Kizer. The Steelers have the personnel on their defense to do this. Players like Ryan Shazier, Bud Dupree, and TJ Watt are all athletes who are capable of either rushing the passer or dropping into coverage. By utilizing these pieces with the Steelers famous zone blitz scheme, Kizer will be in shambles by the end of the game.

Terry Fletcher

Steelers need to shake off that “they play down to bad teams”. It’s time to crush teams and I mean I’d like to see a 45-3 game.

With the Brown’s rookie pass rusher Miles Garrett conveniently injured the next couple of weeks (he trash talked about coming after Ben when he was drafted, so karma sucks), and their new safety cut for fighting with a teammate, their mental game is not there. The Steelers need to capitalize on this AFC North division opponent now.

They need touchdowns and not field goals in order to dominate.

Jimmy Norkewicz

To piggy back off @ericherm12, it’ll definitely be pressure and putting Kizer in 3rd and long situations. He had a tendency to hold the ball too long in college, so you’ll definitely get your sacks on him. However, he’s a big guy so he can take a hit. My other key is Ben on the road. We all know how that usually goes, but he will definitely have to bring his A game with or without Garrett. I know Gregg Williams will dial up a BUNCH of different blitz packages, so hopefully, they’ve got their check downs ready to go.

I also think that this would be a good game to play a lot of press man. Making Kizer throw in tight windows is a tough one for him since his accuracy was wildly inconsistent.

My other key is to take advantage of the aggressiveness of the Browns defense with screens.

Mitchell Reese

Key to the game is consistency. Keep the Cleveland Offense to a minimum, and their Defense reeling due to the Offensive power that the Steelers truly have. The offense should put up huge numbers against a defense that has been shaken up by trades and cuts, while The Steeler defense should keep this young rookie quarterback rattled early and often. Consistency and Aggressive play will win the Steelers the game this Sunday!

Mike Pelaia

The Browns are inferior, period, but if the Steelers make costly mistakes, like multiple 15 yard penalties, turnovers in the red zone or in their own territory or allow special teams miscues, the Browns could remain in the game. The black and gold need to limit any of those costly errors.

Christina Rivers

Key for Steelers on offense may be getting TEs involved with Rogers in slot/seam routes and then unload big plays with key playmakers in Brown, Bryant, Bell. One area Browns D has been exploited is the center of the field. The Browns traded experience and game knowledge for faster and younger. Could be a long night. On defense, the Steelers have to force Kizer into tough passing zones. Key pressure up front to hem him in a pocket that I am not 100% confident can keep him clean. Lock him down and the Browns will have to adjust, adjust, adjust – never good for offensive momentum.

Tommy Jaggi

My key for the Steelers this week is preparation. It’s no surprise to anyone that Pittsburgh simply has a better roster than Cleveland. You could go to each position and compare. Where are the Browns better?

Nowhere offensively at the moment as the Steelers possess a better quarterback, running back wide receiving core, and offensive line. The Browns added a physically gifted young tight end, David Njoku via the draft this year, but the Steelers are probably still deeper at the position.

On defense, the Browns have gathered a nice group of potential playmakers in Jamie Collins, Myles Garrett (who will not be suiting up for a couple weeks with a high ankle sprain), Danny Shelton, Christian Kirksey, and Jabrill Peppers. Still, they are a young group that has yet to put it all together.

The Steelers should be heavy favorites for this game, regardless of where it’s played. Pittsburgh has dropped easy games to bad teams in recent years, but if coach Tomlin and company have the players well prepared, there will be nothing to worry about.

Zac Celedonia

My key to the game is getting off to a fast start. With the Browns starting a rookie quarterback with a “run first” mentality on offense, they are not a team built to come from behind. Kizer’s best weapon is a toss up between the unproven Corey Coleman and Kenny Britt. Those two receivers don’t scare me and they surely don’t scare the Steelers. If Pittsburgh gets out to an early 14-0, 10-0, 17-0 lead. I don’t see how Cleveland overcomes that with their offense. I would love to see Big Ben go deep on the first play to help this, and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if it happened.

Zach Metkler

My key to the game is to establish a presence on the ground early and often. The Browns run defense was ranked 31st in the league in 2016 and I don’t feel that they did enough in the offseason to make a huge difference there in 2017.

With Le’Veon Bell missing training camp and the preseason, there have been concerns about his ability to step right into his usual workload in Week 1. I personally don’t think that it’ll be an issue for him, but seeing Bell and the offensive line come in and dominate right out of the gate would be a great way to set the tone for the season.


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