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Steeler Nation is a world-wide army that follows the legendary Pittsburgh Steelers. The Six-Time Super Bowl Champions are a franchise whose tradition dictates a standard of excellence, and their fans expect nothing less year in and year out. Those very same ideals translate to the ultimate Pittsburgh Steelers Game Day Preview, a guide that all Steelers fans read weekly to learn everything they need to know about their team and weekly opponent!
Mike Drakulich, the man behind Pittsburgh SportsNation (@PghSportsNation), who covers both Pitt football and the Steelers for NGSC Sports, brings you inside the huddle for both teams providing all NFL fans with The PSN Game Commentary, Game Prediction, Broadcast Information, and a complete breakdown of each team.
The Pittsburgh SportsNation Game Commentary
Ten games into their season, the Pittsburgh Steelers are sitting pretty atop the AFC North Division with an 8-2 record.
Fresh off an 18-16 win over Baltimore, which gave the Steelers a one and a half game lead over their bitter rivals, Pittsburgh now sets their sights on another rival, as they travel north to face the Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football. Kickoff is at 8:15 PM.
The key to this game is not taking the Browns lightly, despite their 2-8 record. On a short week, anything can happen.
“When you have back-to-back division games, it is significant, but to have back-to-back division games, and the second one is on a short week on the road… that has our attention and our urgency,” said Steelers head Coach Mike Tomlin. “We have to make really good decisions this week about strategy. What to run, what not to run, what we can perform on a limited number of repetitions? That’s always the case on Thursday.
“We don’t default to base menus, particularly when you’re playing someone that is as familiar with us as we are with them. It’s worth the trouble to ponder what’s appropriate to run and what’s not. How innovative can we be and press the envelope? We have some hard-core decisions there.”
One area that can certainly improve is the red zone offense.
Settling for field goals instead of touchdowns is eventually going to catch up and bite you one of these games.
Perhaps getting Justin Fields onto the field, especially inside the red zone, will help.
“They’re calling my name, I’ll ready to go,” Fields said. “Anything to help this team win.”
Even as a decoy, lined up in the backfield, perhaps in a split formation with Najee Harris with Russell Wilson under center, Fields could become a nightmare for defenses to defend.
“It’s a very unique situation,” said Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. “You just don’t want to overdo it.”
Still, when your offense goes 0-4 in two out of the last three games inside the twenty yard line, adjustments need to be made.
“Justin is a premium starter in this league,” Smith said. “You don’t want to be a gadget guy, but he can help the team. He’s one of the better football players out there.”
Which is why Fields needs to get into the game more often, as Pittsburgh needs to utilize every weapon it possesses.
“Every time you get down there, you want to come away with a touchdown,” Smith said. “We all got to do a better job there.”
Another weak spot that needs addressed is getting the ball across the middle of the field.
Pat Freiermuth is severely underutilized in this area, a place he should thrive in, as could George Pickens if given the right route to run.
The Browns defense is there for the taking, giving up 24.8 points a game, which is 24th in the league, and despite getting to the opposing quarterback 29 times, the Browns secondary has just two interceptions all season.
The Pittsburgh offensive line will have to contend with Myles Garrett, but he’s having a quiet year with just 23 tackles and seven sacks.
After giving up four sacks last week to Baltimore, it’s time for the offensive line to elevate their play as well.
Najee Harris could be in line for a big day, as the Browns are ranked 24th, giving up 131.7 yards a game on the ground.
Taysom Hill, the do-it-all utility knife for New Orleans, smoked the Browns for 153 yards rushing last week, and his main position is tight end. He also added eight receptions for 50 yards.
George Pickens will undoubtedly continue being Wilson’s top target in the passing game, but it would be nice to see Mike Williams get more playing time, and for Calvin Austin and Van Jefferson to stop dropping passes.
Darnell Washington has become a very reliable weapon, catching eight passes for 113 yards since Wilson took over. That’s an average of 14.1 yards per catch for “Mount” Washington.
If Pittsburgh can bring it all together, this team could be headed for a long playoff run.
“I definitely think that we have a chance,” said Wilson. “I think the biggest thing for us is continuing to just take each week as the most important week of it all. I think that it’s not really even just the week, it’s just the day, it’s just the moments in between. I think the greatest teams, the greatest players, in any sport, especially the teams I’ve been on, is the moment — it’s never too far away. It’s right here, right now. And you’re just locked into that.”
The 2nd ranked Steelers defense will be going up against a Cleveland offense that is ranked 31st, scoring just 16.2 points a game. Conversely, the Pittsburgh defense is giving up just 16.2 point a game.
The Browns offense is lead by Jameis Winston at quarterback, who took over after Deshaun Watson was injured against the Bengals in week seven.
Since becoming a starter, Winston has thrown for 964 yards, with six touchdowns and three interceptions. He’s been sacked 11 times.
Nick Chubb is back as a starter, but he has yet to regain his form yet. In four games, he’s rushed for 163 yards and one touchdown.
Jerome Ford is the team leader, rushing for just 279 yards and one touchdown. Overall, the Browns are getting just 88.5 yards a game rushing.
Wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore, along with tight end David Njoku, are all tied for the team lead with 39 receptions. Jeudy, with 560 yards receiving, is averaging 14.4 yards a catch and has found the end zone twice. Njoku also has two touchdowns, with Moore having just one.
Cedric Tillman has elevated his play with Winston under center, catching 27 passes for 311 yards and three touchdowns.
Don’t discount tight end Jordan Akins, who has 20 receptions for 191 yards and a touchdown.
All in all, if the Steelers aspire to be the #1 seed in the AFC Playoffs, this is a game where Pittsburgh needs to carve up Cleveland like a Thanksgiving turkey.
The weather will be miserable, but that should heavily favor the Steelers, especially between the trenches.
Seriously, as Juju-Smith Schuster said, “The Browns be the Browns”, a team coming off a 35-14 beating at the hands of the Saints, a team that prior to beating Atlanta the week before, had lost seven straight.
The formula is simple… Impose your will against an inferior opponent, protect the ball, limit the mindless penalties, and when you get into the red zone, score touchdowns.
“You never want to turn the ball over at any point,” said Wilson. “Obviously, I think the best thing that we can do, though, is focus on just trying to be great in the fundamentals, great in the little details. Every time you step in the red zone, we’re looking forward to scoring touchdowns. I think that’s a mentality thing.”
I like Harris and Jaylen Warren to punish the Browns on the ground, which will allow Wilson to utilize play action and hit a few deep shots on a suspect Browns secondary, so expect some nice numbers from Pickens, and perhaps another Williams appearance.
The Steelers defense should keep Cleveland’s run game under wraps, which will force Winston to pass more in windy and rainy conditions, allowing T.J. Watt, Nick Herbig, and Preston Smith to record a few sacks, and force some bad throws that could lead to a few timely interceptions. The Browns offensive line, which has been bad as it is, will be missing the services of starting left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr..
The turnaround time from Sunday may be short, but the reward is some extra rest between games after another win.
Prediction: Steelers 31 Browns 14
Pittsburgh Steelers (8-2) at Cleveland Browns (2-8)
- NFL Week 12
Vegas line: Pittsburgh -3.5
Game-time: Thursday, November 21st, at 8:15 PM
Venue: Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland, OH.
- Field: Kentucky Blue Grass
Weather at kickoff: 40, with a 95% chance of rain. Winds out of the WNW at 19 MPH.
Broadcast Information
TV: Amazon Prime (Local: WPXI-TV channel 811 on Xfinity)
- Announcers: Al Michaels (play-by-play) Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) | Kaylee Hartung (field reporter)
Local Radio: Pittsburgh- 102.5 WDVE-FM & 970 WBGG-AM
- Announcers: Rob King (play-by-play) Craig Wolfley (analyst) | Max Starks & Missi Matthews (sideline)
National Radio: Westwood One Sports
- Announcers: Ian Eagle (play-by-play) Mike Golic (analyst)
Internet broadcast: Steelers Nation Radio (SNR) on Steelers.com
NFL Links
Scouting the Pittsburgh Steelers
Overall record: 8-2 (1st in AFC North)
Last Game: Pittsburgh 18 Baltimore 16
Head Coach: Mike Tomlin
- 18th Season with Steelers
- Overall regular-season record: 181-102-2
- Playoff record: 8-10 (Qualified for playoffs 11 times)
Team Links
- Pittsburgh Steelers Team Roster
- Steelers Team/Individual Statistics
- Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 Schedule
Steelers Offense
- Offensive Coordinator: Arthur Smith
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 23.3 (15th)
- Total yards per game: 324 (19th)
- Passing yards per game: 187.3 (28th)
- Rushing yards per game: 136.7 (8th)
QUARTERBACK
Russell Wilson | #3
Wilson made his Steelers debut in Prime Time against the Jets, and did not disappoint. Now he has the Steelers primed for a run at the AFC North Title.
Passing Yards: 942 | TD Passes: 6 | INT’s: 2 | Sacked: 12
Rushing Yards: 14 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Back-up: Justin Fields | #2
Fields did all he could with Wilson out, but now takes a backseat for the time being. Should see playing time in certain situations, especially in the red zone.
Passing Yards: 1,106 | TD Passes: 5 | INT’s: 1 | Sacked: 16
Rushing Yards: 248 | Rushing TD’s: 5
RUNNING BACKS
Najee Harris | #22
Harris has a bruising style of carrying the ball with a touch of finesse when needed. Good hands out of the backfield.
Rushing Yards: 708 | Rushing TD’s: 3
Receptions: 21 | Receiving Yards: 182 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jaylen Warren | #30
Warren is a wrecking ball that always seems to get positive yardage. He is a perfect change of pace back next to Harris and should see a minimum of 5-10 carries a game when healthy.
Rushing Yards: 258 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 18 | Receiving Yards: 123 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Cordarrelle Patterson | #84
Patterson sees plenty of time on special teams, but with his speed and game-breaking ability, has also been utilized in both rushing and catching passes out of the backfield behind Warren and Harris.
Rushing Yards: 106 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 6 | Receiving Yards: 34 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Aaron Shampklin | #33
Rushing Yards: 17 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
George Pickens | #14
Pickens is undoubtedly the top receiving threat in the Pittsburgh passing game. With Wilson under center, could be poised to dominate.
Receptions: 48 | Receiving Yards: 728 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Van Jefferson | #11
Jefferson signed with this team and seemed nothing more than an afterthought. His hard work and effort throughout camp and preseason impressed many, and hopes to get on track with Wilson as QB.
Receptions: 14 | Receiving Yards: 139 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Mike Williams | #18
Strong, physical receiver that will try to get his career back on track with the Steelers. Caught one pass two weeks against the Commanders and it was a mesmerizing touchdown.
Receptions: 13 | Receiving Yards: 198 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Calvin Austin III | #19
Austin III has plenty of skills to shine in this league. Now showing signs off life with Wilson throwing him the ball.
Receptions: 17 | Receiving Yards: 276 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Roman Wilson* | #10
Wilson, the rookie out of Michigan, has been waiting to show off his skills after being injured ankle early in training camp. Finally made his debut against Las Vegas but did not get a pass thrown in his direction. Currently on IR.
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Scotty Miller | #13
Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 31 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Brian Skowronek | #15
Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 4 | Receiving TD’s: 0
TIGHT ENDS
Pat Freiermuth | #88
Freiermuth is 2nd on the team with 31 receptions, but at the same time, seems underused, especially across the middle of the field.
Receptions: 31 | Receiving Yards: 295 | Receiving TD’s: 3
Conner Heyward | #83
Heyward is a jack of all trades, lining up at tight end, full back, and anywhere the team needs him to take advantage of his versatility.
Receptions: 4 | Receiving Yards: 29 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Darnell Washington | #80
Mount Washington is an imposing figure that could see plenty of looks inside the redzone, as he did when he caught his first career touchdown pass vs the Broncos in week two.
Receptions: 14 | Receiving Yards: 168 | Receiving TD’s: 1
MyCole Pruitt | #81
Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 19 | Receiving TD’s: 0
OFFENSIVE LINE
LT: Dan Moore| #65
LG: Isaac Seumalo | #73
C: Zach Frazier | #62
RG: Mason McCormick | #66
RT: Broderick Jones | #77
*Injured/Out
Steelers Defense
- Defensive Coordinator: Teryl Austin
- Defensive System: 3-4
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 16.2 (2nd)
- Total offensive yards per game allowed: 305.3 (8th)
- Passing yards allowed: 214.5 (18th)
- Rushing yards allowed: 90.8 (4th)
- Sacks: 24 (21st)
- Interceptions: 11 (6th)
DEFENSIVE LINE
DT: Cam Heyward | #97
Tackles: 39 | Sacks: 5
NT: Keeanu Benton | #95
Tackles: 20 | Sacks: 0
DE: Larry Ogunjobi | #99
Tackles: 30 | Sacks: 1.5
LINEBACKERS
LOLB: T.J. Watt | #90
Tackles: 36 | Sacks: 7.5
LILB: Patrick Queen | #6
Tackles: 72 | Sacks: 0
RILB: Elandon Roberts | #50
Tackles: 28 | Sacks: 1
ROLB: Nick Herbig | #51
Tackles: 10 | Sacks: 2.5
SECONDARY
RCB: Joey Porter, Jr. | #24
Tackles: 39 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
FS: Minkah Fitzpatrick | #39
Tackles: 58 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SS: DeShon Elliot | #25
Tackles: 66 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
LCB: Donte Jackson | #26
Tackles: 26 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 3
Steelers Special Teams
PLACEKICKER
Chris Boswell | #9
Extra Points: 20-20
Field Goals: 23-24
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 8-8
- 30-39 yards: 7-7
- 40-49 yards: 5-5
- 50+ yards: 9-10
KICKOFF RETURNER
Cordarrelle Patterson | #84
Average: 20.3 | TD Returns: 0
PUNT RETURNER
Calvin Austin III | #19
Average: 11.4 | TD Returns: 1
Scouting the Cleveland Browns
Overall record: 2-8 (4th in AFC North)
Last game: New Orleans 35 Cleveland 14
Head Coach: Kevin Stefanski
- 5th Season with Cleveland
- Overall regular-season record: 39-38 | 39-38 with Browns
- Playoff Record: 1-2
Team Links
Browns Offense
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 16.2 (31st)
- Total Offense per game: 291.3 (27th)
- Passing yards per game: 202.8 (20th)
- Rushing yards per game: 88.5 (29th)
QUARTERBACK
Jameis Winston | #5
Winston finally took over when DeShaun Watson was injured, and has played quite well, passing for 1,047 yards, with seven touchdowns and three interceptions.
Passing Yards: 1,047 | TD Passes: 7 | INT’s: 3 | Sacked: 12
Rushing Yards: 39 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Back-up: Dorian Thompson-Robinson | #17
Passing Yards: 82 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 2 | Sacked: 1
Rushing Yards: 44 | Rushing TD’s: 0
RUNNING BACKS
Nick Chubb | #24
Chubb has returned after last year’s devastating injury, but has yet to regain his former form.
Rushing Yards: 163 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 6 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jerome Ford | #34
Ford has been Cleveland’s best back, even with Nick Chubb returning to the line-up.
Rushing Yards: 279 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Receptions: 25 | Receiving Yards: 118 | TD’s: 0
Pierre Strong, Jr. | #20
Rushing Yards: 69 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 7 | Receiving Yards: 77 | Receiving TD’s: 0
D’onta Foreman | #27
Rushing Yards: 155 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 5 | Receiving Yards: 46 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
Jerry Jeudy | #3
Jeudy is having a solid season in Cleveland, tied with two others for the team lead with 39 receptions for 560 yards and two scores. Averaging 14.4 yards a catch.
Receptions: 39 | Receiving Yards: 560 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Cedric Tillman | #19
Tillman has really elevated his game with Winston under center.
Receptions: 27 | Receiving Yards: 311 | Receiving TD’s: 3
Elijah Moore | #8
One of three Browns with 39 receptions.
Receptions: 39 | Receiving Yards: 315 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Jamari Thrash | #80
Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 11 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Kadarius Toney | #87
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
TIGHT ENDS
David Njoku | #85
Njoku is finally having a season that reflects his talent. Has looked his best with Winston under center.
Receptions: 39 | Receiving Yards: 336 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Jordan Akins | #88
Receptions: 20 | Receiving Yards: 191 | Receiving TD’s: 1
*Injured/out
Browns Defense
- Defensive System: 4-3
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 24.8 (24th)
- Total offensive yards per game allowed: 342.7 (19th)
- Passing yards allowed: 211 (16th)
- Rushing yards allowed: 131.7 (24th)
- Sacks: 29 (9th)
- Interceptions: 2 (30th)
DEFENSIVE LINE
LDE: Myles Garrett | #95
Tackles: 23 | Sacks: 7
LDT: Dalvin Tomlinson | #94
Tackles: 17 | Sacks: 3
RDT: Shelby Harris | #93
Tackles: 27 | Sacks: 1.5
RDE: Isaiah McGuire | #57
Tackles: 16 | Sacks: 0.5
LINEBACKERS
WLB: Winston Reid | #99
Tackles: 8 | Sacks: 0.5 | INT:0
MLB: Jordan Hicks | #58
Tackles: 30 | Sacks: 1 | INT: 0
SLB: Devin Bush | #30
Tackles: 44 | Sacks: 1 | INT: 0
SECONDARY
LCB: Denzel Ward | #21
Tackles: 20 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
SS: Grant Delpit | #9
Tackles: 59 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
FS: Juan Thornhill | #1
Tackles: 25 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
RCB: Martin Emerson, Jr. | #23
Tackles: 49 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
Browns Special Teams
PLACEKICKER
Dustin Hopkins | #7
Extra Points: 10-12
Field Goals: 14-20
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 1-2
- 30-39 yards: 5-5
- 40-49 yards: 4-5
- 50+ yards: 4-8
KICKOFF RETURNER
Pierre Strong, Jr. | #20
Average: 23.2 | TD Returns: 0
PUNT RETURNER
Jaelon Darden | #16
Average: 11.3 | TD Returns: 0
Steelers vs Browns History
Series History: Began in 1950
Overall Record: 81-63-1
- Home: 52-22
- Away: 29-41-1
- Postseason: 2-1
Streak: Cleveland won the last game.
Last regular-season meeting: Browns Win, 13-10 (Nov. 19, 2023)
Last postseason meeting: Browns Win, 48-37 (Jan. 10, 2021)
Injury Report (11/20/24)
Pittsburgh Steelers
IR: P Cam Johnson, OL Troy Fautanu (Knee)
Out: LB Alex Highsmith (ankle), CB Cory Trice (hamstring)
Doubtful: None
Questionable: None
Cleveland Browns
IR: N/A
Out: TE Geoff Swaim (Concussion), T Jedrick Wills (Knee)
Doubtful: None
Questionable: None
Pittsburgh Steelers Schedule
2024 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE (8-2)
Sun. Sept. 8: at Atlanta (W, 18-10)
Sun. Sept. 15: at Denver (W, 13-6)
Sun. Sept. 22: L.A. Chargers (W, 20-10)
Sun. Sept. 29: at Indianapolis (L, 24-27)
Sun. Oct. 6: Dallas (L, 17-20)
Sun. Oct. 13: at Las Vegas (W, 32-13)
Sun. Oct. 20: N.Y. Jets W, 37-15
Mon. Oct. 28: N.Y. Giants W, 26-18
BYE WEEK
Sun. Nov. 10: at Washington W, 28-27
Sun. Nov. 17: Baltimore W, 18-16
Thur. Nov. 21: at Cleveland 8:15 p.m.
Sun. Dec. 1: at Cincinnati* 1 p.m.
Sun. Dec. 8: Cleveland* 1 p.m.
Sun. Dec. 15: at Philadelphia* 4:25 p.m.
Sat. Dec. 21: at Baltimore* 4:30 p.m.
Wed. Dec. 25: Kansas City* TBD
* Game time/day subject to change
Author Profile
- Your source for Pittsburgh sports!
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From Midland, "The Basketball Capital of Pennsylvania", located 35 miles NW of Pittsburgh along the Ohio River. This former steel town was home to storied athletes such as Dave Alston, Norm Van Lier, Simmie Hill, and the legendary 1965 Midland High School Basketball Team.
There's nowhere on earth that is more dedicated to its sports teams like Western Pennsylvania and the city of Pittsburgh. The passion and pride of Pittsburgh's fan base is second to no one. From the NFL, NHL, MLB, NCAA football and basketball, to W.P.I.A.L. high school sports, "The City of Champions" has it all!
As Editor of Pittsburgh SportsNation, Mike Drakulich provides top notch opinions and coverage of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pitt Panthers football & basketball, Robert Morris Colonials basketball, and Duquesne Dukes basketball, as well as all sports teams that represent Western Pennsylvania, including WPIAL High School Football.
For a refreshing view of sports, mixed with humor and uncensored opinions, check out Pittsburgh SportsNation today on Facebook, Twitter @PghSportsNation and videos with over 1,000,000 views on YouTube!
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