The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off a bye week, but the last time they were on the field, they rallied off another win in overtime against the Seattle Seahawks with a final score of 23-20 with a game-winning Chris Boswell field goal! Future first ballot Hall of Fame QB, Big Ben Roethlisberger went 29-40 for 229 yards and a touchdown, RB Najee Harris toted the ball 24 times for 81 yards and caught 6 passes for 46 yards with a house call, while Diontae Johnson led the Steelers in receiving with 9 receptions for 71 yards. The Steelers’ defense after struggling to stop the run in the second half produced in a huge way in a crucial time. Specifically, perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate, TJ Watt had two overtime sacks, with the last one being a game sealing strip sack! After a long bye week, the Steelers are back in action Sunday afternoon in Cleveland against the “rival” Cleveland Browns. Before we dive into today’s matchup, let’s take a look into the last matchup against the Seahawks!
Last week in review
The 3 things I noted to keep an eye on last week were:
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1.) Offensive line and Najee Harris versus Seahawks’ front seven
The Steelers’ offensive line played well, but could have produced better in the ground game against a struggling Seahawks run defense. Coming into the game, Seattle ranked 24th in the NFL against the run, so I was expecting just a little more. Harris’ 81 yards on 24 carries isn’t a bad game by any means, but I know this could’ve produced more in the ground game! Harris is a do it all type of back and still gathered over 100 yards in all-purpose yards. With 7 more targets on the year, it’s apparent the Steelers’ offense will rely on Harris in the passing game as well as him being the workhorse in the running game. The offensive line protected Roethlisberger well against the Seahawks’ pass rush, only allowing one team sack on the night!
2.) Force Geno Smith into mistakes
Well, isn’t this the biggest key to the game looking back in hindsight! The game ended pretty much being a Watt strip sack on Geno Smith, the Steelers did in fact force Smith into making a crucial mistake in the most crucial time of the game in OT. I will give credit where credit is due though, Smith managed the game well for the most part and played a winnable game starting for the Seahawks in relief of Russell Wilson. Luckily, the Steelers forced a turnover when they needed it the most!
3) Supplementing for the loss of JuJu Smith-Schuster
I expected the Steelers’ offense to get both tight ends, Eric Ebron and Pat Freiermuth, more involved in the offense with the loss of JuJu Smith-Schuster. I also snuck in my last article that we may be due for a big James Washington game. The latter didn’t happen, but don’t count that notion out yet, because I expect the receiver to get involved more heavily very soon! Ebron only caught 2 passes for 10 yards, but did score on one of my favorite plays of the game, with a handoff near the endzone! Freiermuth produced in one of the biggest ways he has all season. He finished with 7 receptions for 58 yards.
Let’s take a look at 3 things we should watch for against the Browns
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1) The Steelers’ defense has to improve against the run, especially this week!
In the second half especially, the Steelers’ defense was gashed on the ground. The Seahawks finished the game with 27 carries and 144 total yards and a touchdown. This collapse cannot happen this week against a Browns’ offense that is very successful in running the ball. It seems like no matter who is running the ball for the Browns, they are just able to produce. Last week, on Thursday Night Football against the Denver Broncos, D’Ernest Johnson had 22 carries for 146 yards and a touchdown. I expect Nick Chubb to be back for the Browns who has proven to be one of the better runners in the league. The Steelers’ defense has to key in on stopping the run first today!
2) Force a non-100% Mayfield to carry the Browns’ offense
Coinciding with keying in on the run game, if the Steelers’ defense is able to contain the Browns’ rushing attack, it will force the Browns to rely on an injured Baker Mayfield to win the game in the air. Mayfield had last week off due to an injured left shoulder that is still not 100%. The Steelers need to put pressure on him and force him into making mistakes to give the offense as many opportunities as they can get! I’m sure Watt and company are ready to welcome Mayfield back to the gridiron with open arms and sacks in mind!
3) Contain Myles Garrett
The past few weeks, the Steelers’ offensive line has been able to contain key pass rushers, i.e., Von Miller. Can they do it again against All-Pro Myles Garrett? Look for the Steelers’ tackle Zach Banner to report as eligible as the Steelers’ offense will bring in an extra offensive lineman to get the run game going and/or for extra pass protection against the likes of Garrett and company. It’s never a bad thing to get a starting- caliber tackle back into the lineup in some way. The Steelers will need all hands on deck to protect Big Ben this week and to get the running game going!
What do you think, Steeler Nation? What should we watch for against the Browns this afternoon? Sound off in the comment section below, or on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram!
