Cleveland Browns: Top 5 opposing running backs in 2017

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Nov 20, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell (26) during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Le’Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Browns will open and close the season against the Pittsburgh Steelers, quite possibly the consensus arch rival of fans. Pittsburgh, coming one win short of a Super Bowl appearance in 2016, has not changed much and will still bring offensive weapons at every position.

Last season, Pittsburgh finished seventh in total yards and fifth in passing yards, with 4,202. Thanks to weapons all around, the Steelers are one of football’s most balanced offenses. Combine that with a running back the caliber of Le’Veon Bell, and opposing defenses have a major dilemma on their hands.

Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown may get most of the attention, but for some reason, it always seems to be Bell doing all the damage against the Browns.

In their Week 17 clash last season, Pittsburgh rested Bell in preparation for their postseason run. But in the two teams’ other contest at FirstEnergy Stadium in Week 11, Bell led his team to a comfortable victory with 146 yards and a touchdown on the ground and 55 yards through the air.

Even putting this particular performance aside, Bell is without a doubt the most talented running back the Browns will be facing this season. Unfortunately, they will need to face him twice, and even worse, he may not even be the most dangerous weapon the Steelers have.

Next: Top 30 moments in Browns history

The Browns better get it together defensively or else their streak of season-opening defeats is bound to continue.

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