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Cleveland Browns: 5 toughest road games of 2016

By Jonathan Goehring

Nov 15, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) celebrates a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the second half at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 30-9. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) celebrates a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the second half at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 30-9. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports /
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NFL: Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers
NFL: Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers /

1. Week 11: Pittsburgh Steelers

If there was one game on the Browns schedule in 2016 that may be safe to chalk up as a defeat, it would be the Sunday before Thanksgiving in Pittsburgh. The Steelers went the furthest in the 2015 postseason out of every AFC North team, nearly knocking off the Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos. They have the tools offensively and defensively to compete with any NFL team, and contend for a championship this season.

The Browns, on the other hand, are still in the midst of a rebuilding process which may not provide the immediate results against an opponent like Pittsburgh that the fans would like it to. Either way, the mid-November matchup between the Browns and Steelers will be very indicative of the progress of Cleveland’s rebuild, being a seemingly impossible game to win.

The Browns face two very potent offensive threats in this matchup, a running back and a receiver who will give Ray Horton and Cleveland’s defense a headache. Pittsburgh’s Le’veon Bell is the top rusher Cleveland will face in 2016, while Antonio Brown is the toughest receiver on the schedule. Each will contribute to a Steelers offense who has rolled over Cleveland in recent years, dominating the Browns in every facet of the game.

Plus, if history is any indication, the Browns’ chances are very slim at best. Cleveland has defeated Pittsburgh only 3 times in their last 25 meetings. None of these came on the road, as the Browns have lost 15 straight contests in Pittsburgh. To put this shockingly dismal run into perspective, the Browns haven’t won a game in Pittsburgh in this millennium.

Chances may be low, but the Browns feel that this streak will come to a crashing halt eventually. When it does, however, the rebuilding process will likely be over. It will be a tall order for the Browns to compete in Pittsburgh this season, given the many strengths of this Pittsburgh team, and the difficulties the Browns have had in division road games, especially in Pittsburgh.

It seems very clear that this Week 11 game in Pittsburgh is the most unlikely road game for the Browns to win. While it may also be the most rewarding, it seems unwise to muster up a great deal of excitement for this one. Either way, the challenges the Browns face this season will be learning experiences, so that someday under this regime, Cleveland can once again walk out of Pittsburgh victorious.

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