Reporter claims Cleveland Browns have no chance, should rest starters

The Steelers can be beaten, just like anyone else

This Steelers team is also far from invincible. They started the season 11-0 and are 1-4 in their last five games. They struggled with a Baltimore Ravens team ravaged by COVID-19 and starting Robert Griffin III at quarterback. They were punched in the mouth by the Washington Football Team, and were then dismantled by the Buffalo Bills.

And to top it all off, they lost to the hapless Cincinnati Bengals, who have one of the worst offensive lines in the league, one of the worst defenses in the league, and were starting backup Ryan Finley at quarterback. Oh, and they didn’t have Joe Mixon either. And don’t forget the Steelers almost losing to Browns legend Garrett Gilbert and the Dallas Cowboys.

The odds are certainly stacked against the Browns, and it does seem unlikely that they can pull out the victory. But it’s possible. They have the better quarterback, one who has played at a near-elite (if not elite level) for the past 10 weeks. They have the best running back in the NFL, and the best pass-rusher in the NFL, though his impact after contracting COVID-19 has been diminished.

Pittsburgh has rushed for an average of 57.3 yards over the past 10 games, and just 52.2 over the past five. The Steelers win games by avoiding negative plays through the air and just continuing to throw the ball to their receivers, over and over and over.

The Browns were unable to stop that passing attack last week, as Mason Rudolph threw fade after fade, completing most of them. Everyone knew what was coming, but Chase Claypool, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and the rest of the receiving corps kept hauling them in. Cleveland must figure out a way to stop that passing attack. If they can do that, they’ll have a chance.