Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker, Alex Highsmith spoke to the media Monday following the 16-13 win over the Baltimore Ravens. He was also asked about preparations for this week’s game, which happens to be the final game of the season against the Cleveland Browns.
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 12: Alex Highsmith #56 of the Pittsburgh Steelers greets fans after a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images)
Steelers' Highsmith Speaks on Brissett vs. Watson
The media questioned Highsmith about the preparations for playing the Browns with Deshaun Watson at quarterback instead of Jacoby Brissett.
Brissett has been at the helm while Watson served his 11-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. The Steelers and the Browns met during that suspension in September and Brissett was able to keep the run game moving. The Browns won, in Cleveland, 17-29, and beat Pittsburgh in every statistical category that matters.
The Browns had 376 total yards of offense to the Steelers' 308 and were able to run for 171 yards. Most notably, the Browns were able to control the clock and pick up critical first downs when needed and the Steelers were not. Cleveland was 6/16 on 3rd downs and 3/4 on 4th downs, while Pittsburgh was 1/9 on 3rd downs and never made a 4th down attempt.
When asked how much change there is based on Watson playing this team, Highsmith noted that the inability to stop the run is what killed the Steelers the last time:
“Brissett, he did really good when he was in and he was very efficient with the ball - very efficient with that offense. I think the main thing for us was just stopping the run. We didn’t stop the run that game and so that has been the thing the past few weeks was just stopping the run, we just gotta get back to doing that because we know what type of back Nick Chubb is.”
During the last game, Chubb was able to run for 113 yards, while Amari Cooper was able to catch for 101.
Of course, a lot has changed since late September for the Steelers. The black and gold have been able to find a run game of their own with the one-two punch of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. They have also been able to get the defense to gel, and have been making it much harder for teams to run against them.
Highsmith was asked if he sees differences on tape between Brissett and Watson and he likened it to playing the Ravens with Tyler Huntley/Lamar Jackson that are also both mobile quarterbacks:
“Yeah, both similar mobility - we’ve got another challenge this week. Playing Tyler Huntley yesterday [Sunday night], he’s one of those guys that’s able to get out of the pocket, so we got to do the same thing this week - be disciplined with our rush lanes and keep him in the pocket. When we do that, we will be able to get him.”
A reporter asked Highsmith about that change from before to post-bye week. Why the Steelers' defense is playing so much better than it was?
“I think just starting it with good weeks of practice. I feel like we had really good practices over the last few weeks and just continuing to be physical. On the Ravens' first game, they won the war of attrition and they beat us down in the 4th quarter. But we stood firm and we won that battle in the second half in this game. We just gotta continue to do that, especially this week, we know what kind of run game fight we’re going to.”
BEREA, OH - JULY 27: Jacoby Brissett #7 and Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns laugh during Cleveland Browns training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 27, 2022 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
Beating the Browns is also the last thing the Steelers can do to help themselves get into a Wild Card playoff spot. Of course, Browns players are looking to spoil that for them.
What do you think are the keys to beating the Browns this week? Click to comment below.
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