Photo: steelers.com
The Pittsburgh Steelers return home this Sunday riding a three-game winning streak, but there’s one opponent that has already given them trouble this season. The Cleveland Browns handed Pittsburgh a 27-24 loss back in Week 4, and now the Steelers have an opportunity to return the favor in front of their home crowd.
Both teams enter the rematch with identical 5-2 records, making this an important game in the AFC North standings. While Pittsburgh has found ways to win over the last three weeks, the offense hasn’t always been pretty. The Steelers have shown improvement running the football and protecting their leads, but there are still areas where Mike McCarthy‘s team needs to be better.
With that in mind, here are five Steelers players who could have a significant impact on Sunday’s rematch with Cleveland.
Warren has become one of the most dependable players on Pittsburgh’s offense, and his recent performances are a big reason why the Steelers have been able to establish a more consistent rushing attack. He enters Sunday’s game with 561 rushing yards and another 294 receiving yards, giving him 855 yards from scrimmage through seven games.
Against New Orleans, Warren rushed for 101 yards and finished with 137 total yards from scrimmage. He also had 126 yards from scrimmage in the first meeting with Cleveland, proving he can find success against this Browns defense.
Getting Warren involved early could help Pittsburgh avoid some of the problems that have plagued its offense throughout the season. Establishing the run would also take pressure off Aaron Rodgers and prevent Cleveland’s pass rush from dictating the game.
Rodgers had one of his better statistical performances of the season against Cleveland in Week 4, throwing for 299 yards and three touchdowns. Unfortunately, those numbers weren’t enough to produce a victory, and the veteran quarterback will be looking for a different result this time around.
Through seven games, Rodgers has thrown for 1,699 yards, 13 touchdowns and five interceptions. He hasn’t necessarily been asked to carry the offense during Pittsburgh’s recent winning streak, but his ability to make timely throws remains an important part of the team’s success.
The biggest concern will be keeping Rodgers upright. Cleveland has recorded 20 sacks this season, while Pittsburgh has allowed 22. If the Steelers can avoid obvious passing situations and give Rodgers enough time to work through his progressions, there should be opportunities to move the football against a Browns defense that has been difficult to throw against.
Watt was one of Pittsburgh’s biggest difference-makers in the first meeting with Cleveland, recording a sack, two tackles for loss, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a pass defended. It was the type of performance we’ve come to expect from the Steelers’ star outside linebacker, even if the final result didn’t go Pittsburgh’s way.
Watt enters the rematch with 5.5 sacks on the season, and he’ll have another opportunity to disrupt a Cleveland offense that has struggled with consistency. The Browns are averaging just 19 points per game and have allowed 25 sacks, the most in the NFL entering Week 8.
Deshaun Watson has shown that he can make plays against Pittsburgh, particularly when he’s able to extend them with his legs. Watt’s ability to generate pressure while keeping Watson contained could be crucial, especially on third downs, where Cleveland ranks near the bottom of the league in conversion percentage.
Washington continues to emerge as an important part of Pittsburgh’s offense, particularly when the Steelers get close to the end zone. The massive tight end caught his third touchdown pass of the season against New Orleans, and he also found the end zone against Cleveland in their first meeting.
While Washington isn’t necessarily going to lead the team in receptions, his size creates matchup problems for opposing defenses. He’s also an important contributor as a blocker, which makes him valuable regardless of whether he’s targeted in the passing game.
Pittsburgh has struggled to turn scoring opportunities into touchdowns at various points this season, including last week’s victory over the Saints. Washington gives Rodgers a large target in tight spaces, and his involvement could help the Steelers finish drives rather than settling for field goals.
Wilson is coming off a productive game against New Orleans, recording six tackles and his first interception of the season. The second-year linebacker has been a consistent contributor to Pittsburgh’s defense, and his athleticism could be particularly valuable against Cleveland’s young offensive playmakers.
The Browns have received solid contributions from rookie running back Quinshon Judkins and receiver KC Concepcion, both of whom played well in Cleveland’s Week 7 victory over Tennessee. Judkins also scored a rushing touchdown against Pittsburgh in Week 4, while Concepcion caught five passes for 64 yards.
Wilson’s ability to pursue ball carriers and cover underneath routes gives the Steelers another option for limiting those opportunities.
Pittsburgh has been one of the league’s better defenses against the run, allowing just 91 yards per game, and keeping Cleveland behind the chains would make life considerably more difficult for Watson and the Browns offense.
The Steelers have made progress since their first meeting with Cleveland, particularly along the line of scrimmage. The running game has become more productive, while the defense has continued to limit opposing offenses and create opportunities for Pittsburgh to win close games.
However, the Browns have already demonstrated that they can take advantage of Pittsburgh’s mistakes. The Steelers can’t afford another afternoon of missed opportunities, especially with both teams competing for positioning in the AFC North.
If Warren can keep the offense moving, Rodgers avoids costly mistakes and Pittsburgh’s defense continues its recent success, the Steelers should have an opportunity to avenge their earlier loss and extend their winning streak to four games.
