Week 6 Cleveland Browns (4-1) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-0)
Heinz Field Pittsburgh, PA
1:00 PM (ET)
Preview:
An AFC North matchup between two bitter rivals. The first game in the 2020 season between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers. Both teams come into week 6 as one of the best teams in the AFC. Being a rivalry game, expect a close and physical game. Myles Garrett will be facing the Pittsburgh Steelers for the first time since his incident with Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Rudolph. Will the Browns be able to beat the Steelers on the road for the first time since 2003, or will the Pittsburgh Steelers stay undefeated in the 2020 season?
Why this is an important game for the Cleveland Browns:
No matter what a game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns is going to be physical. With the Browns and Steelers being two of the best teams in the NFL this season, this game means even more to each team and their fans. Even with a 4-1 record, the Cleveland Browns come into this game in third place in the AFC North. That is because in first place in the AFC North is the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers. The (4-1) Baltimore Ravens who beat the Browns in week 1 in second place. A victory in Pittsburgh Sunday, will put them in a great position to win the AFC North. The AFC North is the best division in the NFL so far. If the Cleveland Browns are going to win the AFC North, they are going to have to win games against their AFC North opponents.
Key Injuries:
Cleveland Browns:
Out– G Wyatt Teller (calf), S Ronnie Harrison Jr. (concussion), S Karl Joseph (hamstring), and LB Jacob Phillips (knee)
Questionable- QB Baker Mayfield (ribs), WR Odell Beckham Jr. (illness), WR Jarvis Landry (hip/ribs), P Jamie Gillan (groin), DT Larry Ogunjobi (abdomen), and DE Olivier Vernon (groin)
Pittsburgh Steelers:
Out– WR Diontae Johnson (back), G David DeCastro (abs)
What the Browns need to do to win:
Offensively: For the second week in a row, the Brown’s offense is going up against one of the top defensive teams in the NFL. The Steelers are going to try and force Baker Mayfield to beat them. Pittsburgh is notoriously known as a defense that calls blitz plays often. Cleveland quarterback Baker Mayfield is going to have to get the ball out quick. Mayfield needs to find a way to get the ball to his play-makers Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry. Stefanski’s offensive game plan needs to be similar to last week’s win over Indianapolis Colts. The Browns used a balance attack to beat the Colts. Cleveland threw the ball for a season-high thirty-eight times for 265 yards and were able to still rush for 124 yards. Cleveland’s going to have to be able to throw and run the ball efficiently in order for them to win this game.
Defensively: Despite being undefeated, the Pittsburgh Steelers have not been good this year offensively. Pittsburgh’s offense is ranked 26th in the NFL. For the Browns defensively, they are going to have to make Steeler’s quarterback Ben Rothlisberger beat them. 38 year old Rothlisberger, is coming off a major arm injury that made him miss most of last season. The Browns are going to have to take away the middle of the field in the passing game. Forcing Rothlisberger to throw to the sides of the field. The Brown’s defense needs to cause turnovers and they are going to have to pressure Rothliesberger and force him to make poor throws. With the Browns having two of their safeties out with injuries. Cleveland is going to need Sheldrick Redwine to come in and play well.
Player to watch:
Myles Garrett has had this game circled on his calendar since the first day the NFL schedule came out. This is the first time Garrett is playing against the Pittsburgh Steelers since his incident with Mason Rudolph last season. It will be an emotional game for Myles Garrett. He will need to keep his emotions in check. Myles Garrett has been dominant all year. Garrett comes into this game with six sacks, fifteen total tackles, and three forced fumbles. I expect Garrett to come out and play one of the best games of his career.
Prediction:
Cleveland Browns 27 – Pittsburgh Steelers 24
This game is going to be a physical, emotional, and highly competitive game. The Browns will come out on top and win in Pittsburgh for the first time since 2003. Baker Mayfield will prove his doubters wrong and play one of the best games of the year. The Browns will prove to the NFL they are a team to be feared by defeating their biggest rival the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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