The Browns host T.J. Watt and the Steelers in Week 11. The battle could be for first place in the AFC North if the Ravens lose to the Bengals on Thursday night.
CLEVELAND, Ohio – After beating an AFC North rival, the Ravens, 33-31 on Sunday, the Browns take the next step against another rival in Week 11 by hosting the Steelers.
The two 6-3 teams could play for first place in the division if the Ravens lose to the Bengals on Thursday night.
The Steelers had huge success in Week 2, winning a wild Monday night game in Pittsburgh 26-22. Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson had three turnovers in the loss, including two fumbles.
The Steelers are coming off a 23-19 victory over the Packers on Sunday.
Here are three things to know about the Steelers as they make their annual trip to Cleveland.
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1. Never sleep on Alex Highsmith or T.J. Watts at any time
T.J. Watt has been one of the best pass rushers in the NFL since he entered the NFL in 2017. But he now faces someone who has nearly as much impact as Alex Highsmith.
Watt has 10.5 sacks this season, while Highsmith, while only having 4.5, has been equally dangerous with two forced fumbles and five tackles for loss.
They are usually on the same side of the field, but both have many ways to beat their opponents. With their impact forcing fumbles, anyone lining up against them can’t eliminate a rep.
They tend to give their all in crucial moments. So the Browns will have to identify both players on every play.
Even though the Steelers are 6-3 and only a half-game out of first place in the AFC North, they certainly haven’t been brilliant. In fact, it was the opposite.
They have been defeated in all nine games this season and have yet to gain 400 yards in any game.
Quarterback Kenny Pickett has thrown one touchdown pass in his last four games as a starter and has thrown just six all season. But that’s not how they win.
They need to win by sticking together, making the game physical, and relying on splash plays late in the game.
Two of their three losses came when their opponents, the 49ers and Texans, were excellent on offense. Pittsburgh simply isn’t built to compete with top-tier offenses.
You won’t score many points or gain many yards. But because they protect the football so well, they don’t lose games.
3. The Steelers’ best rusher right now is not Najee Harris
The Steelers selected Najee Harris in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Two years later, his role as the top running back may have been taken over by a former free agent.
Former Oklahoma State star Jaylen Warren has been a great find for the Steelers. He rushed 15 times for 101 yards and a touchdown. In his last two games, Warren has totaled 189 yards on 26 carries.
At 5-8 and 215 pounds, Warren is a tough runner. He and Harris are a very good one-two combination that allows the Steelers to play the way they want.
The Browns held the Steelers to 55 rushing yards in week two. With Warren’s emergence, it may be harder to keep the Steelers at that low number.
