Cleveland Browns: Who is the team’s main rival?

Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh is a short drive from Cleveland and the closest rival in proximity to the city of Cleveland. The short drive between the cities and the mixed fanbase that lies in between truly fuels this rivalry. The truth is the Browns/Steelers rivalry never truly relied on the head-to-head factor. The teams took turns in different decades dominating the football landscape. The Browns in the 1960’s; the Steelers in the 1970’s; the Browns in the 1980’s; the Steelers in the 1990’s and so on.

As of late the Browns have barely made a peep in the win column against the Steelers.

The Steelers have dominated the Browns since 1999 posting an AFC North best 29-6 record against the Browns. The play on the field isn’t what is keeping this rivalry alive, the fan passion of these two teams has really kept it going. The reality is, in terms of games played on the field, the Steelers have owned the Browns for the past 17 seasons and that doesn’t look like it will change much in the immediate future.

It’s upon Hue Jackson and the gang to change this lopsided rivalry back into the ferocious rivalry it once was before the Browns return in 1999.

Next: Baltimore Ravens