After losing Deshaun Watson to a significant shoulder injury, the Browns’ hopes for this season took a big hit. However, following their victory against the Ravens last Sunday, Cleveland now faces another AFC North contender in the playoff race. With a win, Cleveland would advance to 7-3 and 3-2 in their division, putting them in great position to reach the postseason. Without their starting quarterback, the Browns’ playoff stakes have never been higher.
1. Keep DTR Out of Long Passing Situations
DTR should be significantly better prepared than in his first career start, yet it would be unfair to expect a flawless game from him. This Steelers’ defensive line ranks among the best in the league and is capable of wrecking games. They are also remarkably deep, so even when T.J. Watt is getting a breather, the offensive line cannot afford to let up. Avoiding negative plays will be essential to prevent long passing downs and minimize the Steelers’ pass rush impact. With a backup quarterback on the field, Pittsburgh will prioritize run defense to force production from DTR. If the Browns can establish the passing game early, it will allow for the running game to follow. Also, expect some play action passes to capitalize on the Steelers’ defensive focus. Getting players like Moore and Njoku involved early might be a good idea to add some yards after the catch.
2. Aggressively Pursue Turnovers
At this point it’s no secret that Matt Canada isn’t a fan of the deep passing game. A lot of his concepts play out around the line of scrimmage and don’t require defenders to get much depth. Additionally, Pittsburgh features a lot of static route concepts that allow defenders to break down on receivers with the ball in the air. Turnovers, especially interceptions, have been a weakness for Cleveland’s defense, but lately they started to come along. However, Pickett takes good care of the ball with only six interceptions this season. He won’t make a lot of big mistakes and is also athletic enough to create with his legs if the play breaks down. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Browns’ pass rush was able to pressure him into some bad decisions. This game will likely be a low-scoring affair which makes every possession count.
3. Don’t Make it Close
I don’t know what it is with Pittsburgh, but they seem to find an extra gear in the fourth quarter of close games. The Steelers won all their matchups this season that were decided by ten points or less. Additionally, Mike Tomlin boasts an impressive 24-5 record when facing rookie quarterbacks. I’m comfortable in the Browns’ defense keeping the score low, meaning the offense won’t have to put up huge numbers. Establishing a rhythm early and avoiding turnovers, could put them in a really good position to win their third divisional contest. According to PFF the Browns have a 83% chance of making the playoffs with a win this week, while a loss would put them at 50%. The Steelers face similar playoff implications, making this a very important game for both teams. Without Deshaun Watson, the Browns’ playoff stakes have never been higher.
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