Rival Report: A lot on the line for the Steelers, Browns in Week 8
Every week, Steel City Underground previews the Pittsburgh Steelers’ AFC North rivals and the opponents those division challengers will go head-to-head against in our ‘Rival Report’. In Week 8 of the 2019-20 NFL regular season, the Baltimore Ravens get a bye while the Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cincinnati Bengals try to move forward in a positive manner.
Ravens look forward to Week 9
There are a few things we know as the Ravens get Week 8 off due to a bye: they’re 5-2 after a three-game win streak, those three games are holding off the Browns and Steelers (for now) from grabbing the top of the AFC North, Lamar Jackson is putting up some big numbers as Baltimore’s signal-caller, their rushing game is at the top of the NFL, the defense isn’t producing big sack totals, and the defensive backfield could use some work. For Ravens fans, this could be a pivotal next few days as Baltimore is looking to add pieces to its roster that can help fill any cracks in the dam before it springs a major leak at a point in the NFL regular season when the competition is heating up.
The Ravens released special teams ace Justin Bethel (to save a compensatory pick) and ended up in an exchange, of sorts, when the Patriots picked up Bethel and released Jordan Richards. Richards was signed by Baltimore on Thursday afternoon and will work him into the rotation.
Cleveland facing unbeaten Patriots on the road
After struggling through their first games of the season when they thought they finally had the hot hand, the Browns (2-4) will face a near-perfect Patriots team on Sunday. While New England has the league’s top-ranked defense, Cleveland will be on the road with an offense that is only ranked 13th in rushing yards per game and 16th in passing yards per game at this point in the season. Yes, the Browns had a bye in Week 7 and extra time to prepare but there are questions as to whether Baker Mayfield can hold up under the pressure this game will present and whether his receivers will be physical enough to make catches that will be highly contested.
“We’ve got to figure out a way to make contested catches. (The Patriots) hold, they grab, they’re real scrappy… but we understand that and we’ve got to make plays regardless.” – Browns WR Jarvis Landry
The Browns should have more depth in their defensive backfield this week. Both Greedy Williams and Denzel Ward are expected to return against the Patriots. In their absence, T.J. Carrie and Terrance Mitchell have stepped into the starting role but defensive coordinator Steve Wilks likes the options at his disposal against a New England offense that has so many weapons. “We are going to see exactly what they can do this week and how much workload they can take,” Wilks said this week, “but all four of those guys to me are deserving.”
For Cleveland to pull off an upset, they’ll need to be perfect. Whether that is possible or not is up in the air but it’s something that head coach Freddie Kitchens is counting on. “We need everybody to play well,” Kitchens admitted.
Game Information: Sun 10/27 · 4:25 PM EDT (Gillette Stadium)
- TV: CBS
- Radio: ESPN 850 • 92.3 The Fan • 98.5 WNCX (Cleveland Market)
Steelers host Dolphins team that has yet to win this season
After playing some very close games to some good teams, the Steelers come off of their bye prepared for the second half of their season by starting it against a Dolphins team that was a fire sale early and desperately wants a win. The chances of Miami getting that “W” at Heinz Field is slim. The Steelers are dealing with depth issues due to a Commissioner’s decision on Anthony Chickillo and a nagging abdominal injury for T.J. Watt but still field one of the top defenses in the league. Pittsburgh can’t afford to play down to their opponent, however. There is too much at stake between them and the Browns in climbing up the AFC North standings to allow Miami to get anything going on Monday Night.
“We will make the necessary adjustments… and we will field a group that is capable of winning football.” – Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin
Mason Rudolph will get the call to return to the lineup as the starting quarterback – his first game since the Steelers played the Ravens, where Rudolph suffered what could have been a potentially serious head injury. Pittsburgh would like to see their offense start producing longer drives successfully. “I think we’re close,” offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner said this week. “We have guys who can make plays.” The Steelers also want to play a balanced game offensively and not become one-dimensional. This may be the week when Rudolph gets to show his ability to get a few deeper balls down the field with the return of James Washington as a compliment to JuJu Smith-Schuster and Diontae Johnson. “There’s going to be days where there (are) chances, opportunities to push the ball down the field,” Rudolph said. “And then there’s opportunities where you have to really take what the defense gives you.”
As for what opens up the downfield passing game, tight end Vance McDonald was clear in saying, “Honestly, it starts with the run game. Against the Chargers we ran the ball well [with James Conner and Benny Snell]… and that just puts everything together.” McDonald, who has dealt with injury this season as well, should be integral to not only being a pass-option but helping the Steelers’ offensive front give Rudolph the protection and time he needs but also open gaps for the run game.
Game Information: Mon 10/28 · 8:15 PM EDT (Heinz Field)
- TV: ESPN
- Radio: SNR • WDVE 102.5 FM • WBGG 970 AM (Pittsburgh Market)
Bengals hunting for first win over Rams in London
The Bengals haven’t been having the type of season they’d like to have had and they’ll be overseas to take on a Los Angeles Rams team at Wembly Stadium. Both teams will arrive on Friday. Jet lag is something Cincinnati doesn’t need on top of all of the injuries and their winless streak taking them out of real contention for any postseason play this year.
Head coach Zac Taylor is still convinced that Andy Dalton should lead the offense despite throwing three interceptions in Week 7 during the final quarter. “He handles the highs and lows the same,” Taylor said of Dalton, “and that’s what you want to see from your quarterback.”
Although A.J. Green saw time at practice, he’s been ruled out by Taylor for Sunday’s game against the Rams. Others on the injury list that practiced in some form before the team prepared for their flight were left tackle Andre Smith (ankle), right guard John Miller (groin), cornerback William Jackson III (shoulder), and left end Carlos Dunlap (knee). Darqueze Dennard and Carl Lawson are both still rehabbing hamstring injuries and are highly doubtful to see any playing time.
At this point, whomever the Bengals can field will be who they field. While a sudden win streak would be welcome, it’s less likely against the Rams even though they’ve seen their share of adversity this season as well. Cincinnati can play spoiler in the AFC North if they can put some wins together, however, in what is a relatively tight division this season in the NFL.
Game Information: Sun 10/27 · 1:00 PM EDT
- TV: CBS
- Radio: 700WLW • ESPN 1530 • 102.7 WEBN (Cincinnati Market)
