Much of the conversation this week with the Cleveland Browns has centered around Deshaun Watson’s season-ending shoulder injury. But the fact of the matter is, Cleveland has a game to play as they welcome Pittsburgh to town on Sunday afternoon in a matchup between one of the best defenses in football against a struggling offense.
The Pittsburgh offense is averaging 283 total yards per game. For context, there are two quarterbacks in the NFL, C.J. Stroud and Tua Tagovailoa, who are averaging more passing yards per contest than the entire Steelers’ offense is per game.
Somehow, despite being outgained in every single game they’ve played in, Pittsburgh has scratched and clawed their way to 6-3 and are in the exact same position as the Browns where a win keeps them right on pace for the top spot in the AFC North.
On offense, it starts with Kenny Pickett who the Browns need to pressure continuously all game long. Pickett enters Sunday ranked as the 25th quarterback in passer rating and 28th in adjusted quarterback rating, below Mac Jones and Daniel Jones.
The running back duo of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren give the Steelers just over 100 yards per game and they seem to be building some momentum with their run game of late. While Warren has been a great change-up, Harris has been more consistent over the last few weeks. In the last two games, he has 141 yards on 32 attempts, good for about 4.4 yards per carry. His 461 yards ranks Harris 23rd in the league and one yard ahead of Dolphins running back De’Von Achane who has played in five less games due to injury.
Their passing attack looks different than it did in Week 2. Diontae Johnson has been welcomed back into the fold and scored his first touchdowns since 2021 two week back, in a 90-yard performance against the Titans. He’s been dealing with a thumb injury this week but was a full participant at practice on Thursday so it’s likely he’ll be suiting up this weekend in Cleveland.
Opposite of Johnson is second-year standout George Pickens. Pickens is having a very productive season so far. He is on pace to go over 1,000 yards and has three games this year over 100 yards receiving. He did get loose against the Browns in Week 2 where he went four catches for 127 yards, with the long being a 71-yard touchdown.
Pickens has been good against the Browns during his young career and Cleveland will need to account for him. Cleveland will also need to account for tight end Pat Freiermuth, who is slated to return from a hamstring injury this week. While Pickett has struggled for the entire season, getting Freiermuth back would be a nice boost for this Steelers’ offense.
Even without Watson, the Browns should be able to be competitive in this game and potentially earn a win that propels them into second place in the division. It all starts with Cleveland’s defense restricting an already struggling Steelers offense as soon as the ball is kicked.