Browns vs. Steelers: 5 questions with Still Curtain before the season finale
The Cleveland Browns are taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday in the season finale. We caught up with Still Curtain to learn more.
The 2016 NFL season is mercifully coming to an end. That is, for Cleveland Browns fans.
The Browns are in Pittsburgh this Sunday to take on a Steelers team that is back in the playoffs once again, while the Browns are just happy to have a single win. Talk about a rivalry game.
To learn more about the divisional foes, we caught up with Kim Myers of Still Curtain and asked her a few questions.
1. How many starters on both sides of the ball may miss Sunday’s game?
Tomlin has to dress 46 guys so there’s only 7 possible who will get to sit out and rest. He already talked about resting Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell, and Maurkice Pouncey. Defensive end Stephon Tuitt and tight end Ladarius Green were out last week so it makes sense to keep them healthy this week as well so that only leaves one more opportunity to deactivate a starter.
I’d probably guess that goes to linebacker Ryan Shazier considering the injury history he’s had and what a difference-maker he is on the field.
Tomlin said that anyone who is dressed for the game should expect to contribute but I’d doubt if you’ll see guys like James Harrison still playing into the fourth quarter.
2. Should the Steelers be considered favorites to win the Super Bowl?
No team really wants to be the favorite to win the Super Bowl. They’d much rather have that “No one gave us a chance” mentality and play the underdog role. I think the Steelers have a legit shot given that they have the offensive fire power and the defense is coming together at precisely the right time.
If they can get a team like the Chiefs to do their dirty work for them and knock of the Patriots, the road to Houston will be a whole lot smoother. Their last three Super Bowl appearances didn’t have to go through New England so that seems to be the best route for them to take. As far as how they could go up against a team like the Cowboys again, that’s a whole other story.
3. Was Mike Tomlin’s job actually in question during the season? And would a Super Bowl win keep him in town until he wants to retire?
Tomlin’s job won’t be in question until he’s actually had a losing season. He’s one of the most successful coaches in the league and thankfully Steelers ownership recognizes that.
He shouldn’t have to win another Super Bowl to justify his place in Steelers history but another one would make him by far a more successful coach than Cowher was. Either way the Steelers won’t be changing their philosophy of keeping continuity with the head coach.
4. What if the view of Steelers fans when it comes to the supposed Browns-Steelers rivalry? Is it even a rivalry anymore?
The younger generation of Steelers fans don’t really recognize the Browns as a rival because it just hasn’t been competitive since the Browns came back into the league. Steelers fans are like that drunken uncle at the family wedding ready to fight at the drop of a hat so whenever the Browns are competitive again the rivalry won’t take long to heat back up, I assure you.
It would actually be entertaining to have the Steelers-Browns rivalry alive again and keep the Steelers-Ravens rivalry as well so it’s New Browns vs. Old Browns. That also works to be petty enough to never acknowledge the Bengals as a rival.
5. Your prediction for the game.
The Steelers aren’t going into the playoffs after losing to the Browns so no matter who is playing they’re playing to win. That doesn’t mean that it will be the most entertaining game to watch this season. I’d give the Steelers the win 30-10.