3 key matchups for Cleveland Browns vs. Steelers in Week 6

Keys to victory for Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

This was already one of the most heated rivalries in the NFL but the events of last season have made the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers must-see TV. Players on both sides have dislike for players on the other side.

Aside from the theatrics, this is a great matchup between two of the best teams in the AFC and both teams are coming off of big wins a week ago. The AFC North might have three playoff teams with the playoffs being expanded so division games are very important.

Cleveland is dealing with injuries to superstar running back Nick Chubb who is still a few weeks from returning and cornerback Greedy Williams was recently placed on injured reserve. The Steelers have several players listed on the injury report but no one important is expected to miss the game.

There are a couple of matchups that will decide this game, there will be a lot of strength on strength and whoever wins will likely win the game. Ben Roethlisberger has been a Cleveland killer in his career going 23-2-1 but its not like the Browns have been a powerhouse in the past 20 years.

Pittsburgh has a great defense like always but may not be as good as they were last season, they have some shown some weaknesses. Throughout the history of this rivalry  the Steelers have just dominated in the things they do well but this is a much more well-rounded Browns team.

There are a lot of young players that will be X-factors in this game and young players tend to not be consistent so don’t expect four more touchdowns by Chase Claypool. This is going to be a throwback, physical game that will likely be decided in the trenches not by big plays.

3. Browns receivers/ tight ends vs. Steelers secondary

This will be a great matchup on Sunday as former Brown Joe Haden will face off with Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry who are never short on words. Beckham has also been playing his best since he was traded.

Landry will probably be matched up with the Steelers’ nickel corner Mike Hilton most of the game but where Cleveland can take advantage is on the other side of the field by attacking Steven Nelson.

Cleveland hasn’t had a reliable third receiver, but they have a lot of catches by tight ends and running backs. Their wide receiver with the most catches behind Beckham and Landry is Rashard Higgins who only has three catches and only played in three games. Look for Higgins or KhaDarel Hodge to try and fill that void this week.

If they can’t do that they will need Hooper and Harrison Bryant to get open underneath and create some easy throws. Cleveland should try to move Beckham around on the field to get some more favorable looks, although he is very capable of having a big day against Haden. They do have help over the top from Minkah Fitzpatrick and Terrell Edmunds so the short throws might work better.

It may be tough for Cleveland to get the ground game going and they may have to rely on the pass and that will put this secondary to work.

2. Jedrick Wills Jr. vs. T.J. Watt/ Bud Dupree

This will be the toughest test yet for the Browns first-round pick Jedrick Wills Jr. as he goes up against one of fiercest pass rushes in the league. The Steelers send an extra man a lot so Wills will be one on one most of the time.

It will never be an easy matchup, on passing downs he will be facing either T.J. Watt or Bud Dupree who have both been outstanding this season. Watt is coming off a First Team All-Pro season and already has 4.5 sacks in just four games (Steelers already had bye week).

Dupree was also very good last year when he had double digit sacks but he has seemed to pick it as he is in a contract season. He has three sacks and ten quaterback hits, second on the team behind only Watt.

To be fair Wills has looked like he can hold his own but getting beat a couple times can cost you against an explosive defense like Pittsburgh who can put points on the board by themself.

But if it isn’t Watt or Dupree, Wills will have to face Cameron Heyward or Stephon Tuitt who are both extremely hard to deal with. They are both stout against the run and pass and have combined for five sacks.

Wills has been very good this season but these rivalry games are where you can really make a name for yourself and if Baker Mayfield can stay clean this week it will be in large part because of his left tackle.

1. Browns rush defense vs. Steelers rushing attack

It may not seem like it because most of Pittsburgh’s playmakers are on the outside at wide receiver but their offense goes through the rushing attack, they have the seventh most rushing attempts in the league.

They will not hesitate to hand the ball to James Conner and Benny Snell who both average over four yards per carry behind a good offensive line. But Cleveland has allowed the fourth fewest yards in the NFL and only give up 3.9 yards per carry.

The Browns charge is led by their defensive line although they have gotten more than expected from B.J. Goodson who they signed in the offseason. They also recently got Mack Wilson back from injury although he hasn’t looked like he is back at full strength yet.

Jacob Phillips, Sheldon Richardson, and Olivier Vernon are all key parts to the Browns front seven and they are all listed on the injury report this week. Richardson and Vernon were limited on Wednesday and Phillips didn’t practice at all.

This matcup is so crucial because if the Steelers can run the ball the Browns will have to commit more players to stopping the run which will open up their pass game. Cleveland’s secondary has looked vulnerable at times this season so if they stop the run and fore the Steelers into passing situations that will make it easier to cover thier receivers.

Pittsburgh doesn’t have great talent at running back so the real battle will be if they can get off blocks. If Cleveland can eliminate the run it will help their pass defense.