10 years and 17 games.
That's how long it has been since the Cleveland Browns have been favored to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers, since 2003. The year before Reggie White passed away. The year before the Patriots went back-to-back. Maybe most relevantly, the year before Ben Roethlisberger was drafted.
When the Steelers go to Cleveland on Sunday, the Browns, who are just 5-23 against the Steelers in regular season since 1999, will take the field as one-point favorites - and for good reasons.
That's how long it has been since the Cleveland Browns have been favored to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers, since 2003. The year before Reggie White passed away. The year before the Patriots went back-to-back. Maybe most relevantly, the year before Ben Roethlisberger was drafted.
When the Steelers go to Cleveland on Sunday, the Browns, who are just 5-23 against the Steelers in regular season since 1999, will take the field as one-point favorites - and for good reasons.
AFC North teams are 0-7 on the road in division games (the Steelers are 0-1), and the Browns defense, according to quarterback Ben
Roethlisberger, presents them with their "biggest and toughest"
challenge to date. He says their defense has "no weaknesses."
The
Browns rank fourth in the NFL in total defensive yards and have one if
the best cornerbacks the Steelers face this season in the Browns' Joe
Haden. He is one player the Steelers must account for and who will be
assigned to wide receiver Antonio Brown.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said of Haden: "I don't think any corner's playing better. At least none that we have faced."
Offensive
coordinator Todd Haley praiseworthy words for the 5'11", 190-pound CB
as well when he said that "Haden is a heck of a player. He's the best
cornerback we've seen this year, for sure. He's just really a good
football player. He has great feel, instincts and speed. He's a complete
package, and it has shown up against some of the big-time receivers
that he has faced." - http://tinyurl.com/lkezhax
Ultimately,
two things stand out as being imperative. It is paramount that Big Ben
not turn the ball over. Since coming back from his injury last season,
when Big Ben doesn't commit a turnover, the Steelers are 5-0. When he
commits at least one turnover, they are 0-9.
Before that, a successful game plan is one that maximizes the skills of Big Ben, the AFC and Fed Ex Air Player of the Week and who is on
pace to throw for a career-high in passing yards this season. Spreading
the Browns out will force them to send fewer rushers and substitute
with fewer personnel changes and packages.
Then the Steelers
will likely move Brown around the formation, with Haden likely
following him. That, then could open things up for wide receivers
Emmanuel Sanders and Jerricho Cotchery and tight end Heath Miller to
thrive, as well as opening lanes or chances for catches out of the
backfield for Le'Veon Bell. If so, and if the Steelers spread them out
as they should, it should create a mismatch.
When on defense, coordinator Dick LeBeau pointed out that whether Brandon Weeden, Brian Hoyer or Jason Campbell, "they
want to call plays to the strengths of each one. They've got a good
veteran quarterback there now. He's started a lot of games in the NFL
and they can pretty much run whatever they want to run."
Even so, the Browns rank in the bottom half of the NFL in offense and struggle to move
the football, particularly in the run game. They do have a nice target
in wide receiver Josh Gordon, though. He's no Calvin Johnson, but he has
skills that the Steelers must respect with a safety over the top to
help cornerback Ike Taylor.
Outside
of that, the Steelers defense must be the more disciplined unit and the
individual players must be more trusting of the scheme and defensive
game plan set up. Also, whether Jason Worilds is setting the edge or
whether it's LaMarr Woodley, pressure from the front seven, led by the
ever-improving Cam Heyward, is vital.
The turnover battle must be won by the Steelers who are +3 after starting -11 in turnovers. With the forecast calling for a high of 27 degrees with winds 20-30 mph, it's even more apparent that he team that wins that battle should win the game.
The
Steelers know what's at stake for them and are the more veteran team,
so this should play in their favor - in favor for a 20-13 kind of game
and (hopefully) win.
~
TIDBITS:
Brett Keisel (foot), LaMarr Woodley (calf) questionable for Sunday's
game at Cleveland. Limited in practice Friday. Stevenson Sylvester and
Shamarko Thomas are out.
~
Ben
Roethlisberger on whether he'd take less money in next contract to stay
with Steelers: "Obviously I would do whatever I need to do. That's
something that can be discussed when the time comes. That's not really
my thing. I play football, I have people that deal with that stuff. I'll
do whatever it takes to stay here and be a part of this team and help
this team out." - http://t.co/Fe1IPWTDrZ
~
If
It Ain't Steel has said for over a year that Worilds is batter on the
left side and that a change should at least be explored. Someone finally
listened: http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/102146/woodley-willing-to-flip-with-worilds
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