Browns vs. Steelers: 3 opponents to watch out for in Week 18

The Steelers have never had a losing season under Mike Tomlin and hope to sneak into the playoffs at the Browns expense on Sunday.

Last year when the Cleveland Browns played in Pittsburgh, the Browns allowed nine sacks on Baker Mayfield in what was an absolute slaughter, not nearly as close as the score of 26-14. Cleveland’s defense played reasonably well, holding the Steelers’ offense to only 299 yards, but the offense could not protect Mayfield.

Many observers felt that Mayfield had no business being on the field because he may have been too injured to play effectively. Well, if he wasn’t before, nine sacks evidently were enough to get him to change his mind. He sat out the season finale.

Are the Steelers getting ready to beat up the Browns again? It sure looks like the script is set up that way. Pittsburgh has an outside chance for the playoffs if they beat the Browns. Mike Tomlin needs the win to keep his personal streak alive of never having a losing season in the NFL. Thus the Steelers have all the motivation they need to put together a big game.

Let’s dive in and look at three players Cleveland needs to keep an eye on in Week 18.

Browns vs. Steelers: 3 opponents to watch out for in Week 18

3. T.J. Watt, EDGE

After being rejected by New York City’s Radio City Rockettes, high-stepping T.J. Watt joined the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2017 and quickly asserted himself as the starting outside linebacker in their 3-4 defense. In that role, he’s usually an edge rusher like Myles Garrett and can be compared directly. Watt became a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro. He’s extraordinarily dangerous, like his brother, J.J. Watt, who everyone figures is headed for Canton in five years.

This season, the Steelers are 7-2 when he has started, and 1-6 when he has been out due to injury. Folks, it doesn’t take an analytics expert to realize that that is a sure enough statistically significant trend. It would probably be fair to say that the Steelers were impacted more by losing Watt than the Philadelphia Eagles were hurt by losing Jalen Hurts.

This total dominance with Watt in the lineup versus complete ineptitude with him missing cannot be a coincidence. He’s that good, and he impacts the game as much as a starting quarterback. Garrett is probably the same type of player. Browns fans may find out about that if he should ever leave.

Last season, Watt contributed four sacks on Mayfield on his way to a ridiculous 22.5 sack season. Up to that point, he and Myles Garrett were running neck-and-neck for the Defensive Player of the Year Award.

Garrett, however, was clearly playing hurt the last month of the season, whereas Watt was getting heated up and the four additional sacks versus the sad sack Browns separated him from Garrett for 2021. As Browns fans, it’s painful to admit, but he probably deserved the award in 2021.

This Sunday he will go up against Jack Conklin. Conklin has just received a contract extension, so here is an opportunity to prove he is worth it.