Browns Host Steelers in AFC North Showdown for First Place
The Browns and Steelers rarely need much help making a game feel important. Throw first place in the AFC North into the equation, and Thursday night in Cleveland suddenly feels much bigger than a typical Week 4 matchup.
Cleveland welcomes Pittsburgh to Huntington Bank Field tonight for Thursday Night Football, with both teams entering at 2-1. In fact, all four teams in the AFC North enter Week 4 with identical 2-1 records. Pittsburgh currently owns the top spot after its divisional win over Cincinnati, but the winner tonight will emerge from Thursday night alone atop the division. (NFL)
For the Browns, it is an opportunity to show that their turnaround over the past two weeks has some staying power.
Cleveland has responded to its season-opening loss with consecutive victories over Tampa Bay and Carolina, including a 21-18 win over the Panthers last week. Deshaun Watson hasn’t put up overwhelming numbers, but he has been much more composed when the Browns have needed him most. He has led game-winning drives in the fourth quarter in each of the past two weeks and has thrown four touchdowns without an interception over that stretch. (Cleveland)
Tonight presents a considerably different challenge.
Pittsburgh comes to Cleveland after a 30-27 victory over Cincinnati in which the Steelers produced more than 400 yards of offense. Aaron Rodgers has given Pittsburgh an experienced presence at quarterback, while Jaylen Warren is coming off a 127-yard rushing performance against the Bengals. (Baltimore Beatdown)
That puts plenty of responsibility on Cleveland’s defensive front.
The Browns need to make Rodgers uncomfortable without allowing Pittsburgh to establish the running game early. Cleveland has already shown an ability to generate pressure this season, and making a 42-year-old Rodgers consistently move inside and outside the pocket could become one of the defining battles of the night.
On the other side, Cleveland’s offensive line may be the matchup to watch.
The Browns will be without starting offensive linemen Elgton Jenkins and Teven Jenkins, creating an obvious concern against a Pittsburgh defense built to pressure quarterbacks. Watson has also had his share of problems against the Steelers throughout his career, losing all three of his previous starts against Pittsburgh while taking 18 sacks. (Cleveland)
Keeping him upright will be critical.
Cleveland doesn’t necessarily need Watson to throw for 300 yards. It needs the version of him that has emerged over the past two weeks — protecting the football, extending drives and delivering when opportunities arrive late in games. If the Browns can also establish Quinshon Judkins and avoid obvious passing situations, they can prevent Pittsburgh’s pass rush from dictating the night.
There is also something about this rivalry in Cleveland that has increasingly favored the Browns.
Pittsburgh has won just once in its last eight trips to Cleveland, while the Browns have taken the last four home meetings between the teams. Cleveland also enters tonight riding a seven-game Thursday night winning streak. (Draft Schedule)
None of that guarantees anything once the ball is kicked off, but it adds another layer to a matchup that already has plenty riding on it.
For Cleveland, this is more than an opportunity to move to 3-1.
It’s a chance to beat Pittsburgh under the lights, win its first divisional game of the season and wake up Friday morning sitting alone atop the AFC North.
For Pittsburgh, it’s an opportunity to strengthen its early grip on the division and take down a Browns team beginning to build some legitimate momentum.
Browns. Steelers. Thursday night in Cleveland.
First place is waiting.
Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET at Huntington Bank Field, with the game streaming nationally on Prime Video. (Cleveland Browns)
