Primetime Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns (TNF Week 11)

With six weeks left in the regular season, every game is even more important than the last. That is particularly true in the case of the two teams facing off on Thursday Night Football. The Pittsburgh Steelers make their way to the “Dawg Pound” to face the Cleveland Browns in an AFC North rivalry game. Both teams are chasing the Baltimore Ravens for first place in the division but both are a few games back and the Ravens don’t look to be relinquishing their top-dog status anytime soon. Pittsburgh has won four straight games and has gone from counted out to a potential playoff participant. Even without Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers have been able to find their footing thanks to a strong defense and steady play from backup quarterback Mason Rudolph. The offense still has all-pro weapons in running back James Conner and wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster. Meanwhile, the Browns won the offseason and a lot was expected of them heading into the 2019 season. Yet, they have only managed to win three games to date and are much closer to a top-10 draft pick than making the postseason. A win tonight keeps hope alive in Cleveland and with the game coming at home it will likely feel like the entire state of Ohio is tuned in hoping to see their team turn the season around. Odell Beckham Jr. has not produced as advertised by an inability to connect with Baker Mayfield has been the real problem. Cleveland’s defense also looks nothing like what they did in their dominant preseason play. The winner of tonight’s game will be looking to convert it into a winning streak to end the year.

QB Matchup: Mason Rudolph vs. Baker Mayfield

Rudolph has performed about as well as could be expected given the circumstances he entered into. Many thought he was the next in line to become Pittsburgh’s starters when he was drafted and now he’s gotten that opportunity. In college, Rudolph put up astounding numbers with the Oklahoma State Cowboys mostly thanks to his ability to connect on deep throws. With his primary target, James Washington, on the Steelers roster, the assumption was that he could have similar success in the NFL. However, he really hasn’t been great at any one specific skill but he’s good enough to not lose games.

Baker entered the season with a lot of pressure–and national magazine cover stories–on his shoulders. Despite not starting every game, he set the record for most touchdown passes thrown by a rookie quarterback. With Odell Beckham Jr. joining the team and Nick Chubb breaking out as a rookie too, Cleveland’s offense had enough weapons to be good if everything clicked. Well, things have yet to click. Freddie Kitchens’ first full year as a head coach and offensive coordinator has been a disappointment. Mayfield has taken a step back from his rookie season and has turned the ball over at a high-rate. In last week’s win, he’s arguably had his best performance of the season.

RB Matchup: James Conner vs. Nick Chubb / Kareem Hunt

In his second season as the Steelers starter, James has been good when he is on the field. Injuries have acted as a bump in the road for Conner but thankfully none have been serious enough to keep him sidelined for a long period of time. His ability to be an every-down back helps open up things for all aspects of Pittsburgh’s offense. When he’s hot this team is really tough to defend against. Conner is capable of bursting any run, screen pass, or swing pass for a long gain and immediately turn the game’s momentum.

Last week, we saw the debut of Cleveland’s two-man backfield unit of Hunt and Chubb. Hunt was another addition that this team thought would be able to have a big impact on their season, even though he was suspended for half of the year. In his first game back, he looked as good as he did during his time with the Kansas City Chiefs. Chubb has taken a step up this season and has been the most consistent piece of the Browns’ offense this year. He’s capable of breaking off a big run on every snap. he’s strong, powerful, fast, and quick. If any slight alley opens up along the offensive line expect Chubb to break through it for a big gain.

WR Matchup: Juju Smith-Schuster vs. Odell Beckham Jr.

Antonio Brown is no longer a member of the Steelers but Smith-Schuster has proven to all that he is capable of being the team’s number one option. Juju can play as a slot receiver or line up out wide. He’s one of the most versatile players at his position and continues to get better each season. Cleveland recently got their top two cornerbacks (Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams) back on the field so they’ll have bodies to throw at him. Tracking how Juju is used tonight will say a lot about how the Steelers coaching staff views their secondary.

On the other side of the field, Cleveland has arguably one of the most talented wide receivers in league history. Odell had been putting up big numbers with the New York Giants but the team didn’t find much success. They opted to move on from him after signing him to a five-year contract extension. The losing has continued with the Browns but his numbers have taken a big dip also. Against Buffalo, the plan seemed to force-feed Beckham Jr. no matter what, however, it didn’t really work out for all parties. Pittsburgh isn’t known for great corner play if there’s any chance for him to have an explosive, season-defining game this meeting is his best opportunity.

TE Matchup: Vance McDonald / Nick Vannett vs.  Demetrius Harris

The tight end production has been a struggle for both teams. Vance McDonald was expected to have a big year coming into the season bu an injury early sidelined him. In his absence, the team went out and got Nick Vannett from the Seattle Seahawks. Now, both players are back and healthy for the Steelers. Tonight, one of them could potentially be a difference-maker as the Browns defense has struggled to contain opposing tight ends for most of the season.

Cleveland was hoping that David Njoku would have a breakout season, but they lost him for the season early and they have been trying to replace his production ever since. Ricky Seals-Jones has had a couple of big performances but he is dealing with health issues and is questionable for this game. That leaves Demetrius Harris as the team’s best choice. Harris is a solid option and with Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry at wideout and Hunt and Chubb in the backfield, the Steelers will have to focus elsewhere which could result in good looks for Harris throughout tonight’s game.

DEF Matchup: Minkah Fitzpatrick vs. Myles Garrett

It is not hyperbole to suggest that Steelers defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick is on track to be the Defensive Player of the Year. Since being acquired from the lowly Miami Dolphins in an in-season trade, the Pittsburgh defense has seen vast improvements on that end. Fitzpatrick has managed to get five interceptions, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble, and one defensive touchdown. Some player’s go entire seasons without producing any of those numbers, Fitzpatrick has managed to get those in just seven games.

For the Browns, their defense is led by 2017 first-overall pick, Myles Garrett. A physical marvel, Garrett has the size and speed to be a real impact player on the defensive line. Last season he showed the progress of potentially becoming one of the top pass rushers in the entire NFL. That production has continued but Garrett remains one of the most heavily penalized defensive linemen. With Roethlisberger (who seemingly never went down on a potential sack attempt) out, there’s a chance for him to make a real impact getting to Rudolph off the edge. If he can make plays tonight things could turn out differently than they have for most of the year for the Browns.

PREDICTION: Steelers 31 , Browns 21