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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 with The Pittsburgh SportsNation Game Commentary, Game Prediction, Broadcast Information, and a complete breakdown of each team. Heck, you’ll even know the weather at kickoff!
The Pittsburgh SportsNation Game Commentary
Coming out of their bye week, the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1) couldn’t have dreamt of being in a better position.
Sitting atop of the AFC North Division with a game and a half lead over Cincinnati, and two and a half over both Baltimore and Cleveland, the Steelers could really take a stranglehold on the division if they can take care of business in their next two games against the Browns and Bengals.
This Sunday at Acrisure Stadium, the Steelers will host Cleveland (1-4), who is coming off a 21-17 loss to Minnesota.
The game, which was played in London, England, was decided by a Jordan Addison touchdown catch with just 21 seconds left.
These are the same Vikings the Steelers took care of in Dublin, Ireland, 24-21.
Pittsburgh looked as dangerous of a team as they have in a long time, dominating up 24-6, before Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin made some questionable decisions during the last five minutes of the contest that almost allowed Minnesota to either tie or even win the game.
The Browns will start rookie Dillon Gabriel at quarterback. He’s passed for 209 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. He’s been sacked twice.
Jerry Jeudy is the lone healthy wide receiver with double digit catches, with 15 receptions for 197 yards and no touchdowns. Cedric Tillman is hurt. Isaiah Bond has just seven catches for 114 yards. Jamari Thrash has five receptions for 40 yards. No other Cleveland receivers have recorded a catch.
It’s the tight ends in David Njoku and Harold Fannin, Jr. that have been the main weapons in the Cleveland passing game. Njoku has 20 catches for 195 yards and one touchdown. Fannin, Jr. leads the team with 21 receptions for 173 yards and a TD.
The Browns offense is powered by their lead back in Quinshon Judkins, who despite missing a game, leads the team with 347 yards on the ground, and three touchdowns. He’s also caught nine passes for 62 yards.
Jerome Ford and Dylan Sampson each see a few carries a game. Combined, they’ve only rushed for 87 yards. Both are sneaky out of the backfield and on third downs, as Ford has 13 catches for 54 yards, and Sampson has 13 receptions for 83 yards and a score.
The Pittsburgh defense should be able to feast on a Browns offense that is dead last in the NFL scoring just 14.6 points a game.
The key to stopping Cleveland is shutting down their run game in Judkins, who has the complete attention of the Steelers for what he has been able to accomplish in just four games.
“He had absolutely no training camp to speak of, and that really highlights what it is that we’re looking at,” Tomlin said. “Kudos to him and kudos to them for what he and they are able to produce.”
Judkins was a player Pittsburgh had eyes on coming out of Ohio State.
“What stands out is his contact balance and strength,” Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said. “He is a powerful guy. He’ll run right through tackles and arm tackles. He’s not afraid to challenge guys. If you’re coming at him, you better put your big boy pads on because he’s going to run right through you. If you’re messing around, he’ll run right around you.”
This will be a game that will be decided in the trenches, as the Pittsburgh defense will have to rise up against a stout Browns offensive line and their young rookie back.
“This is one of the best groups in the league,” defensive tackle Cameron Heyward said. “Year in and year out you talk about their rushing game. It starts with their O-line being established.”
To win this one, the hungrier dog will be the one who gets to eat.
“This means we get to play big-boy football,” Heyward said. “You can sit up here and talk about how good Quinshon Judkins is and rightfully so, but I think it starts with those guys, them leaning on the defensive line and always falling forward. That leads to them having a big day.”
The reemergence of Keanu Benton will go a long way to accomplishing that if he can build off his performance against Minnesota.
“We’ve always seen that he’s had that ability to really be disruptive inside,” Austin said. “The thing he did was he really finished his plays. I mentioned it to him in a meeting. I told him to start stacking those because if he stacks some interior play like that, it makes us really difficult to defend.”
Obviously, on the flip side, the Steelers o-line will have their hands full keeping Cleveland’s Myles Garrett away from Aaron Rodgers.
“He’s just an amazing player all around,” said Steelers left tackle Broderick Jones. “He plays the run. He plays the pass. He’s just a freak of nature.
“You have to do everything you can to slow him down and try to keep a lid on him. That’s the game plan, and hopefully we can stick to it and execute.”
Garrett has 13 career sacks against Pittsburgh.
“He’s a unique athlete,” Pittsburgh tackle Spencer Anderson said. “His resume speaks for itself. There’s nobody who is built like he is who can do the things he does. Minimizing him is definitely part of the game plan.”
Rodgers has passed for 786 yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions.
D.K. Metcalf is the top receiver with 15 receptions for 261 yards and three touchdowns. Calvin Austin III is out this week, so hopefully that will give Roman Wilson a chance to make some plays this game. Wilson has just one catch for seven yards. Behind him are Ben Skowronek and Scotty Miller, who have caught a combined one pass for two yards and a touchdown.
Like Cleveland, it’s the tight ends in Pittsburgh’s offense that make noise in the passing game. Jonnu Smith has 14 receptions for 71 and one touchdown. Pat Freiermuth has seven catches for 65 yards, but is expected to be a lot more involved this game. Darnell “The Mountain” Washington has three catches for 20 yards.
Jaylen Warren returns to the line-up after missing the last game. He’s rushed for 132 yards, with 11 receptions for 142 yards and a touchdown.
Kenneth Gainwell is first on the team with 154 yards on the ground and three touchdowns. He’s also caught 13 passes for 65 yards. Rookie Kaleb Johnson has been used sparingly, and has just 21 yards rushing in four games.
Expect a physical affair from two rivals that don’t really like one another.
“I mean, you can throw records out the window for games like this,” Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt said. “It’s very physical. Home-field advantage is huge in games like these. We know them. They know us.”
The Browns haven’t beaten the Steelers in Pittsburgh during the regular season since 2003.
The goal here? Come out swinging on offense and grab an early lead. Stop Judkins and the Browns run game, and force the rookie in Gabriel to have to pass to a rag tag group of receivers who don’t have a single touchdown catch between them. Build on that lead and don’t let up for once. If the Steelers can get up by double digits, then they can have Watt, Heyward, and the rest of the Pittsburgh defense to pin their ears back and be aggressive hunting down Gabriel, which could lead to some key turnovers.
Njoku and Harrison shouldn’t be able to make any splash plays downfield, especially with a Steelers defense that is now fully healthy with corner Jalen Ramsey questionable to play, and starters in Joey Porter, Jr. and Alex Highsmith returning to the line-up.
“They’re still the bosses. They’re the authorities. So, I have to listen to them just as much as they’re open to hearing how I feel and listening to what I’ve got to say,” Ramsey said. “We’ve been having good conversations, good dialogue about how things have been progressing.”
I like the Rodgers to find the end zone twice this game, and for Warren and Gainwell to chew up some yards on the ground and allow the Steelers to play some ball possession in the 2nd half. I can’t see the Browns putting up any type of offense in this game unless Pittsburgh is careless with the ball and gives Cleveland prime field position.
Prediction: Steelers 27 Browns 13
Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1) vs Cleveland Browns (1-4)
- NFL Week 6
Vegas line: Pittsburgh -6
Game-time: Sunday, October 12th, at 1:00 PM
Venue: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA.
- Field: Kentucky Bluegrass
Weather at Kickoff: Cloudy and 64. Winds out of the ENE at 8 MPH.
NFL Links
Broadcast Information
TV: CBS (Xfinity: 802 | DirecTV: 221 | Dish: 4) / Local: KDKA-TV (Xfinity: Channel 802)
- Announcers: Ian Eagle (play-by-play) J.J. Watt (analyst) | Evan Washburn (field reporter)
Local Radio: Pittsburgh- 102.5 WDVE-FM & 970 WBGG-AM
- Announcers: Rob King (play-by-play) Max Starks (analyst) | Missi Matthews (sideline)
National Radio: n/a
- Announcers:
Internet Broadcast: Steelers Nation Radio (SNR) on Steelers.com
Scouting the Pittsburgh Steelers
Overall record: 3-1 (1st in AFC North)
Last Game: Steelers 24 Vikings 21
Head Coach: Mike Tomlin
- 19th Season with Steelers
- Overall regular-season record: 186-108-2
- Playoff record: 8-11 (Qualified for playoffs 12 times)
Team Links
- Pittsburgh Steelers Team Roster
- Steelers Team/Individual Statistics
- Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 Schedule
Steelers Offense
- Offensive Coordinator: Arthur Smith
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 24 (16th)
- Total yards per game: 279.5 (29th)
- Passing yards per game: 199.5 (28th)
- Rushing yards per game: 80 (31st)
QUARTERBACK
Aaron Rodgers | #8
Rodgers may be 41, but the arm and his wits are still top notch. If the Pittsburgh offensive line can provide him time, Rodgers could open the offensive playbook up and become more than just a dink and dunk unit.
Passing Yards: 786 | TD Passes: 8 | INT’s: 3 | Sacked: 9
Rushing Yards: 11 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Back-up: Mason Rudolph | #2
Passing Yards: 12 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 0
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
RUNNING BACKS
Jaylen Warren | #30
Warren is a wrecking ball that always seems to get positive yardage. 2nd on the team with 132 yards rushing and 142 yards receiving.
Rushing Yards: 132 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 11 | Receiving Yards: 142 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Kenneth Gainwell | #14
Gainwell is a Swiss Army knife that can step in at any time. Was superb while being the #1 back with Warren out against Minnesota.
Rushing Yards: 154 | Rushing TD’s: 3
Receptions: 13 | Receiving Yards: 65 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Kaleb Johnson | #20
Johnson is a rookie out of Iowa, and by talent alone, will one day be the lead back in the Steeler run game.
Rushing Yards: 21 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Trey Sermon | #37
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
D.K. Metcalf | #4
Metcalf is a big, physical receiver, that will be Aaron Rodgers’ top weapon in the passing game. Caught 66 passes for 992 yards and five touchdowns last year in Seattle. Can make the most spectacular of catches, but is also prone to occasional drops. Leads the team with 15 catches.
Receptions: 15 | Receiving Yards: 261 | Receiving TD’s: 3
Calvin Austin III* | #19
Austin, now in his 4th year, has taken over as the team’s #2 receiver. Injured his shoulder and is out for a few games.
Receptions: 10 | Receiving Yards: 139 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Roman Wilson | #10
Wilson looked set to make amends for a lost rookie season. Can he become the receiver he was at Michigan, and show the Steelers why he was drafted in the 3rd round? With Austin out, should get a chance to show what he can bring to the offense.
Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 7 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Scotty Miller | #13
Miller returns to the Steelers after catching five passes for 69 yards last year.
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Brian Skowronek | #15
Great blocker and special teams player, Skowronek had five catches for 69 yards last season. Was the recipient of Aaron Rodger’s first TD pass as a Steeler.
Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 22 | Receiving TD’s: 1
TIGHT ENDS
Pat Freiermuth | #88
Thought be headed for a solid season as Rodgers likes his tight ends. Caught 65 passes for 653 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024. So far, he’s been an afterthought in the offense through four games.
Receptions: 7 | Receiving Yards: 65 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jonnu Smith | #81
Smith is a hybrid tight end/receiver… leads all tight ends with 14 receptions.
Receptions: 14 | Receiving Yards: 71 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Darnell Washington | #80
Mount Washington is an imposing figure at 6’7, 264 pounds. Rodgers raved about him in Camp and could be set to surpass his numbers last year, when he caught 19 receptions for 200 yards and a touchdown.
Receptions: 3 | Receiving Yards: 20 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Conner Heyward | #83
Heyward will be utilized in a fullback/tight end role.
Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 6 | Receiving TD’s: 0
OFFENSIVE LINE
LT: Broderick Jones | #77
LG: Isaac Seumalo | #73
C: Zach Frazier | #54
RG: Mason McCormick | #66
RT: Troy Fautanu | #76
*Injured/Out
Steelers Defense
- Defensive Coordinator: Teryl Austin
- Defensive System: 3-4
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 24.5 (20th)
- Total offensive yards per game allowed: 382.5 (28th)
- Passing yards allowed: 260.5 (30th)
- Rushing yards allowed: 122 (19th)
- Sacks: 14 (7th)
- Interceptions: 5 (8th)
DEFENSIVE LINE
DT: Cam Heyward | #97
Tackles: 14 | Sacks: 1
NT: Keeanu Benton | #95
Tackles: 8 | Sacks: 1.5
- OR Daniel Ekuale | #96
- Tackles: 5 | Sacks: 0
DE: Derrick Harmon | #99
Tackles: 3 | Sacks: 1
LINEBACKERS
LOLB: T.J. Watt | #90
Tackles: 19 | Sacks: 3 | INT: 1
LILB: Patrick Queen | #6
Tackles: 35 | Sacks: 1
RILB: Payton Wilson | #41
Tackles: 35 | Sacks: 1
ROLB: Nick Herbig | #51
Tackles: 10 | Sacks: 2.5
- OR Jack Sawyer | #33
- Tackles: 14 | Sacks: 1
SECONDARY
LCB: Darius Slay | #23
Tackles: 15 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
FS: Juan Thornhill | #22
Tackles: 25 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SS: DeShon Elliot | #25
Tackles: 12 | Sacks: 1 | INT: 1
RCB: Joey Porter, Jr. | #24
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
- OR Brandin Echols | #26
- Tackles: 11 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
NCB: Jalen Ramsey | #5
Tackles: 14 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
Steelers Special Teams
PLACEKICKER
Chris Boswell | #9
Extra Points: 10-10
Field Goals: 6-7
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 0-0
- 30-39 yards: 1-2
- 40-49 yards: 3-3
- 50+ yards: 2-2
KICKOFF RETURNER
Kenneth Gainwell | #14
Average: 25.8 | TD Returns: 0
Kaleb Johnson | #20
Average: 23.8 | TD Returns: 0
PUNT RETURNER
Calvin Austin III | #19
Average: 4.5 | TD Returns: 0
Calvin Austin III | #19
Average: 4.5 | TD Returns: 0
Scouting the Cleveland Browns
Overall record: 1-3 (4th in AFC North)
Last game: Minnesota 21 Cleveland 17
Head Coach: Kevin Stefanski
- 6th Season with Cleveland
- Overall regular-season record: 41-48 | 41-48 with Browns
- Playoff Record: 1-2
Team Links
Browns Offense
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 14.6 (32nd)
- Total Offense per game: 300.6 (27th)
- Passing yards per game: 204.8 (24th)
- Rushing yards per game: 95.8 (26th)
QUARTERBACK
Dillon Gabriel | #8
Gabriel played good enough to win in his debut, passing for 209 yards and two touchdowns vs the Vikings.
Passing Yards: 209 | TD Passes: 3 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 2
Rushing Yards: 5 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Back-up: Shedeur Sanders | #12
Passing Yards: 0 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 0
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
RUNNING BACKS
Quinshon Judkins | #10
Judkins is the Browns top back, averaging 86.8 yards a game. Has already found the end zone twice.
Rushing Yards: 347 | Rushing TD’s: 2
Receptions: 9 | Receiving Yards: 62 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jerome Ford | #34
Ford is now the back-up to Judkins. Has 13 receptions out of the backfield.
Rushing Yards: 56 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 13 | Receiving Yards: 54 | TD’s: 0
Dylan Sampson | #22
Rushing Yards: 31 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 12 | Receiving Yards: 83 | Receiving TD’s: 1
WIDE RECEIVERS
Jerry Jeudy | #3
Jeudy is 3rd on the team with 15 receptions for 197 yards.
Receptions: 15 | Receiving Yards: 197 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Cedric Tillman* | #19
Tillman is injured.
Receptions: 11 | Receiving Yards: 106 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Isaiah Bond | #16
Bond has become the #2 receiver with Tillman out. Averages 12.7 yards per catch.
Receptions: 9 | Receiving Yards: 115 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jamari Thrash | #80
Thrash has been used sparingly in the Cleveland offense.
Receptions: 5 | Receiving Yards: 40 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Malachi Corley | #83
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Gage Larvadain | #84
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
TIGHT ENDS
David Njoku | #85
Njoku finally broke with Gabriel under center. 2nd on the team with 20 catches.
Receptions: 20 | Receiving Yards: 195 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Harold Fannin, Jr. | #88
Fannin might be the #2 tight end, but he leads the Browns with 21 receptions.
Receptions: 21 | Receiving Yards: 173 | Receiving TD’s: 1
*Injured/out
Browns Defense
- Defensive System: 4-3
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 24.6 (21st)
- Total offensive yards per game allowed: 247.8 (2nd)
- Passing yards allowed: 172.2 (5th)
- Rushing yards allowed: 75.6 (1st)
- Sacks: 14 (5th)
- Interceptions: 2 (25th)
DEFENSIVE LINE
LDE: Myles Garrett | #95
Tackles: 21 | Sacks: 4
LDT: Maliek Collins | #96
Tackles: 12 | Sacks: 3.5
RDT: Mason Graham | #94
Tackles: 13 | Sacks: 0.5
RDE: Isaiah McGuire | #57
Tackles: 12 | Sacks: 1
LINEBACKERS
WLB: Jerome Baker | #17
Tackles: 7 | Sacks: 0 | INT:0
MLB: Carson Schwesinger | #49
Tackles: 41 | Sacks: 1 | INT: 0
SLB: Devin Bush | #30
Tackles: 35 | Sacks: 1 | INT: 0
SECONDARY
LCB: Denzel Ward | #21
Tackles: 13 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
SS: Grant Delpit | #9
Tackles: 25 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
FS: Ronnie Hickman | #33
Tackles: 31 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
RCB: Tyson Campbell | #7
Tackles: 22 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
Browns Special Teams
PLACEKICKER
Andre Szmyt | #7
Extra Points: 7-8
Field Goals: 6-8
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 0-0
- 30-39 yards: 4-5
- 40-49 yards: 1-1
- 50+ yards: 1-2
KICKOFF RETURNER
DeAndre Carter | #2
Average: 24.9 | TD Returns: 0
PUNT RETURNER
DeAndre Carter | #2
Average: 9.3 | TD Returns: 0
Steelers vs Browns History
Series History: Began in 1950
Overall Record: 82-64-1
- Home: 53-22
- Away: 29-42-1
- Postseason: 2-1
Streak: Pittsburgh won the last game.
Last regular-season meeting: Steelers Win, 27-14 (Dec. 8, 2024)
Last postseason meeting: Browns Win, 48-37 (Jan. 10, 2021)
Injury Report (10/10/25)
Pittsburgh Steelers
IR: QB Will Howard (finger), OL Max Scharping (Knee)
Out: WR Calvin Austin (Shoulder)
Doubtful: None
Questionable: CB Jalen Ramsey (Hamstring)
Cleveland Browns
IR: None
Out: None
Doubtful: None
Questionable: DT Mike Hall Jr. (Knee)
Pittsburgh Steelers Schedule
2025 REGULAR-SEASON SCHEDULE (3-1)
Sun. Sept. 7 at N.Y. Jets | W- 34-32
Sun. Sept. 14 vs Seattle | L- 31-17
Sun. Sept. 21 at New England | W- 21-14
Sun. Sept. 28 vs Minnesota | W- 24-21
BYE WEEK
Sun. Oct. 12 Cleveland 1 p.m.
Thur. Oct. 16 at Cincinnati 8:15 p.m.
Sun. Oct. 26 vs Green Bay 8:20 p.m.
Sun. Nov. 2 vs Indianapolis 1 p.m.
Sun. Nov. 9 at L.A. Chargers* 8:20 p.m.
Sun. Nov. 16 vs Cincinnati* 1 p.m.
Sun. Nov. 23 at Chicago* 1 p.m.
Sun. Nov. 30 vs Buffalo* 4:25 p.m.
Sun. Dec. 7 at Baltimore* 1 p.m.
Mon. Dec. 15 vs Miami* 8:15 p.m.
Sun. Dec. 21 at Detroit* 4:25 p.m.
Sun. Dec. 28 at Cleveland* 1 p.m.
TBD TBD vs Baltimore* TBD
* *Times and TV network may change due to flexible scheduling
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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