The Pittsburgh Steelers are on a roll as they have won their last five games, with two of those wins coming against the Washington Commanders and Baltimore Ravens. Their next test will be a road game against the Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football in Week 12. The Browns have had a disappointing season up until this point as they have a 2-8 record, but they have been slightly reinvigorated by quarterback Jameis Winston. The quarterback has started three games and has gone 1-2, but he has put up impressive numbers.
Matt Starkey / Cleveland Browns
Browns' Jameis Winston during a loss to the New Orleans Saints in 2024.
It will be difficult for the Steelers to extend their winning streak to six games as they travel to Cleveland on a short week. It is a quick turnaround to play back to back divisional games, especially in the AFC North. One player that will need to step up in a big way for Pittsburgh is outside linebacker TJ Watt, who is making a strong case for the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2024. Watt will be going up against right tackle Jack Conklin for most of Thursday's game, and Winston spoke about the confidence he has in his right tackle after being asked about Watt.
"I think anytime you're in the pocket, you have to have a heightened awareness of where he [Watt] is," Winston said. "He does it really well. I like Jack Conklin, I think he is going to do a great job against him. So, we're going to be working together to beat, you know, the Pittsburgh Steelers. TJ Watt is an amazing player, but the Cleveland Browns have to beat the Steelers."
Conklin has been a good right tackle in the NFL since entering the league in 2016. He was originally drafted by the Tennessee Titans, and he spent four seasons there before signing with the Browns ahead of the 2020 season. Conklin has been named an All-Pro twice in his career, and he will certainly be a tough challenge for Watt and the other pass rushers on Pittsburgh's defense.
Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' TJ Watt gets the defense pumped up before a victory over the Baltimore Ravens in 2024.
Conklin is in the middle of returning from a serious injury. During Week 1 of the 2023 season, Conklin went down with a torn ACL and a torn MCL. He missed the remainder of the 2023 season and didn't return until Week 6 of the 2024 season. He has started the last five games for Cleveland, and he has played on every offensive snap aside from Week 7 when he left the game early.
As one of the best defenders in the NFL, Watt doesn't need any external motivation to play well. However, the Browns are giving the perennial All-Pro plenty of bulletin board material ahead of their matchup. Myles Garrett already ridiculed Watt on Tuesday for the way Watt reacted after being snubbed for the NFL's DPOY Award at the end of the 2023 season, and now Watt knows he has a great challenge ahead of him lining up across from Conklin.
AP Photo / Matt Freed
Steelers' TJ Watt sacks Browns' Deshaun Watson in Pittsburgh, PA during Week 2 of the 2023 season.
Steelers' TJ Watt Has Always Dominated The Browns
Watt has had a ton of success in his career when playing the Browns. In 12 games against Cleveland, Watt has tallied 17 sacks, 46 tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery that he returned for a touchdown. In games against Cleveland that Watt has lined up across from Conklin, the outside linebacker has recorded six sacks in just four contests.
It'll be interesting to see the matchup between Conklin and Watt as the right tackle continues to return from a fairly serious injury. The running game will likely be a focal point for the Browns' offense, and Cleveland will certainly have some plans in place to minimize the impact Watt can make.
What do you expect from Watt when he takes on Conklin and the Browns on Thursday night? Let us know in the comments below!
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