Three Cleveland Browns that will be keys to victory over the Steelers

Cornerback Terrance Mitchell

The Cleveland Browns secondary are going to have their hands full on Sunday, as the Steelers will liekly feature a heavy aerial attack. With Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pittsburgh has one of the best pairs of receivers in the NFL.

The Browns will be starting Denzel Ward and Terrance Mitchell to go against the Steelers receivers. Despite Ward being the number one cornerback, Mitchell will be the key to slowing down the Steelers passing game.

During the preseason, the Browns played Ward as the left cornerback and Mitchell as the right cornerback. But defensive coordinator Gregg Williams may use Ward as Brown’s shadow, as Ward has the speed to keep up with Brown, but also the physicality to knock Brown off his route.

That would leave Mitchell going up against Smith-Schuster, who is a very physical receiver that excels at getting himself in better position than the corner. In the Browns’ second game against the Steelers, Smith-Schuster went off, catching nine passes for 143 yards and a touchdown.

Mitchell may thrive in this matchup, as he might be the Browns’ most physical cornerback. Smith-Schuster is not going to beat coverage with his speed, but he beats them with his size. If Mitchell can use his physical style to prevent Smith-Schuster getting a good position on the ball, Smith-Schuster may not be an option for Pittsburgh often on Sunday.

If Mitchell does not draw penalties, he can be perfect player to stop Smith-Schuster. If the Browns want to win Sunday, they need to limit Brown’s productivity and not allow Smith-Schuster to make up for Brown. Mitchell may be the Browns’ best answer to that.