Three Cleveland Browns that will be keys to victory over the Steelers
By Dan Justik
As the Cleveland Browns look to knock off the Pittsburgh Steelers for the first time since 2014, which players will be keys to victory for the Browns?
The Cleveland Browns have not won their regular season opener since they defeated the Baltimore Ravens 20-3 all the way back in 2004. It was the only time the Browns have won their regular season opener since the team returned to Cleveland in 1999.
The Browns will be looking to break that losing streak on Sunday, as they will also try to break a 17-game regular season losing streak.
More from Dawg Pound Daily
- Cleveland Browns critics continue to misplace their judgement
- 3 Cleveland Browns players who don’t deserve another season in 2023
- How the Browns could maximize Nick Chubb in 2023
- Can Deshaun Watson get to Patrick Mahomes level for Cleveland Browns?
- 3 Cleveland Browns who should see an expanded role in 2023 and 1 who should not
Breaking those streaks would be much sweeter if they can win on Sunday and beat the Steelers. Sunday may also be the Browns’ best shot, as Pittsburgh looks more beatable than ever.
There seems to be more drama going on in Pittsburgh than in Cleveland, which is a complete 180 from the past. And almost all of it stems from the absence of Steelers star running back Le’Veon Bell. Not only is Bell not expected to play, but it has caused dissension in the locker room.
For the Browns, they need to take advantage of Bell’s absence as they have a big opportunity to start off the 2018 season the right way.
Cleveland almost defeated the Steelers last season in the regular season opener, as Bell struggled after returning from a long holdout. The Browns will have a better chance on Sunday than they did last year, especially with Bell not playing.
Despite the problems in Pittsburgh, it still will not be a cake walk for the Browns. With the amount of new players on the roster, it may be hard for the Browns to have enough chemistry on Sunday to walk out with a victory.
Cleveland added a lot of talent, and talent may prove enough to win on Sunday. But if it is a close game late in the fourth quarter, chemistry within the lineup could prove to be the key factor.
With that in mind, who are the three players that need to play well in order for the Browns to defeat Pittsburgh on Sunday.