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Steeler Nation is a world-wide army that follows the legendary Pittsburgh Steelers. The Six-Time Super Bowl Champions have a tradition that 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 GameDay Preview, an all-inclusive guide that all Steelers fans read weekly to learn everything they need to know about their team and Pittsburgh’s 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 a weekly game story, score prediction, game day information, broadcast information, and complete breakdown of each team, complete with stats. Heck, you’ll even know the weather at kickoff!
STEELERS BATTLE THE BROWNS FOR CONTROL OF THE AFC NORTH IN REMATCH
The hate between the cities of Pittsburgh and Cleveland has been a thing for decades upon decades.
Most of it stems from the jealousy of Browns fans to their Steelers counterparts, who have won six Super Bowls to their goose egg.
Pretty much from 1992, when Bill Cowher took over as head coach from the legendary Chuck Noll, the Steelers have dominated the overall series.
Ben Roethlisberger might as well have been called “daddy” by Browns fans during his tenure as Steelers quarterback. Big Ben was 26-2-1 lifetime against them, and had the most wins in the Brown’s home stadium (12) before Baker Mayfield finally surpassed him and ended up with 18.
“That’s hilarious to me,” said Roethlisberger. “That was always a big deal up there. But that’s awesome.”
Since 1990, the two teams have only met three times in the regular season with both teams sporting a winning record after week six.
In 1994, the 11-3 Steelers defeated the 1-4 Browns 17-7. In 2007, the 6-2 Steelers clipped the 5-3 Browns 31-28. In 2020, the 4-0 Steelers crushed the 4-1 Browns 38-7.
Sunday, November 1st will be meeting #4.
All that is stake is 1st place overall in the AFC North as the Steelers and Browns take on one another with 5-2 records.
One of those two losses by the Steelers was the result of a 27-24 walk-off field goal win for Cleveland four short weeks ago.
To boot, the Browns own a two game win streak in the series that started back in 1950.
The trash talk between the teams have heated up this week, especially in response to Browns edge rusher Jared Verse stating that the Steelers were a dirty team after Cleveland’s win a month ago.
“Double teaming, sliding, chipping, are those not allowed in our game? Yeah, I got the bruises to prove it. But we don’t whine about it, baby. It’s part of the game,” said Pittsburgh defensive lineman Cam Heyward on the Rich Eisen Show. “So, I’m looking forward to this game. It’s gonna be a fun game.
“Both teams are in position to do a lot of work in this division, as they say. The AFC North is on fire, and I’m glad I’m in the kitchen because I like it that way.
“But those were words that were said, and they will be addressed.”
Verse continued to run his mouth on Thursday.
“I’m not worried about Cam, I’m not worried about their O-line, I’m not worried about nobody they got on their team,” said Verse. “We out there to go dominate, about to make Pittsburgh ours on Sunday.”
That’s a lot of talk from a guy with zero sacks on the season, especially being touted as Myles Garrett’s replacement.
For the Pittsburgh offense, Aaron Rodgers is at quarterback. Through seven games, he’s passed for 1,6999 yards, 13 touchdowns and five interceptions. He’s been sacked 22 times.
Coming into this game, advanced analytics geeks and NFL analysts continue to their quest of not giving Rodgers an ounce of respect for what he has done as Steelers quarterback at the ripe old age of 42.
Don’t count fellow teammate Ben Skowronek as a hater.
“Stats are for losers,” said Skowronek.
You can look at what the computer prints out all day, but in the end, results are what counts.
“There are a lot of intangible things that quarterbacks and other players bring to games that aren’t really recognized by the stats — how he’s able to operate in and out of the huddle, whether we’re at home or on the road, the poise,” Skowronek said. “Most stats can’t measure that. That’s a huge advantage.”
And when the game is on the line, watch out.
“He’s been playing damn near 30 years,” Skowronek said. “He’s poised. He’s never too high, never too low. He doesn’t care what happens in the first three quarters. In the fourth quarter, he’s going to go out there and play ball. That’s very undervalued. His mental game is the best I’ve ever been around.”
Rodgers’ top target is DK Metcalf, who has 32 catches for 374 yards and a touchdown. The rookie Germie Bernard has elevated his play with Michael Pittman and Roman Wilson out, catching 27 passes for 254 yards and a touchdown.
After those two, your guess is as good as anyone’s… depending on who is active, it could be Marquez Valdez-Scantling, Brandon Smith, Brandon Johnson, or even Kayden Wetjen if the team ever gives him a chance.
Tight end Pat Freiermuth has 23 catches for 200 yards and a team leading four touchdowns. Darnell Washington has 16 receptions for 160 yards and two touchdowns. Rarely used Robert Tonyan has one catch for two yards.
Jaylen Warren has been exceptional as the starting running back, rushing for 561 yards and a touchdown, and catching 24 passes for 294 yards and another TD. Rico Dowdle has 118 yards rushing, and has caught 13 passes for 82 yards. .
The Pittsburgh offense is 22nd in the NFL averaging 21.1 points a game, and giving up 19.7… good for 5th.
The Browns have Deshaun Watson at quarterback. He’s thrown for 1,482 yards, with seven touchdowns and three interceptions, while being sacked 25 times.
Watson has a pair of rookies to rely on in the passing game in Denzel Boston and K.C. Concepcion. Jerry Jeudy is in the mix, too.
Boston has 20 catches for a team leading 372 yards and three touchdowns. Concepcion has 30 receptions for 315 yards. Jeudy has 16 catches for 171 yards. After those three, the wide receiver depth chart is very murky for Cleveland, but Isaiah Bond has caught five passes for 86 yards.
Tight end Harold Fannin, Jr. has 25 catches for 257 yards and three touchdowns, while Blake Whiteheart has three receptions for 39 yards and a TD.
Quinshon Judkins is the lead back, rushing for 317 yards and three touchdowns, with 19 catches for 110 yards. After Judkins, Raheem Sanders will see a carry of two, but mainly he is used out of the backfield, collecting eight caches for 66 yards. Dylan Sampson has 45 yards rushing.
The Browns are coming off a 27-24 win over Tennessee, and are averaging 19 points a game, while giving up 20.9 a contest.
This week, it all comes down to execution, on both sides of the ball.
The offense has to put more points on the board than they did last week, when they defeated New Orleans 16-10 in France.
It would be highly beneficial to set the tone early, and put a touchdown on the board on the opening drive.
Keeping Rodgers protected, and opening up some holes for Warren and Dowdle to gash the Browns with are high on the list, too. It would be nice to see another receiver besides Metcalf and Bernard to elevate their play until Michael Pittman, Roman Wilson, or Ben Skowronek return from injury OR the team makes a trade to address that issue.
Tight ends Freiermuth and Washington are playing well, but the more weapons the merrier.
The defense and their play speaks for themselves… ranking 5th in the league allowing just 19.7 points a game, and giving up just one touchdown in the 2nd half all season.
Keeping Quinshon Judkins and the Browns run game in check will be key, as will punishing Deshaun Watson every time he drops back to pass. Watson has been taken down 25 times, and to see that number climb into the 30’s would be beautiful Sunday afternoon. The secondary will focus on keeping Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion from making splash plays, and eliminating yards after the catch, as well as limiting Harold Fannin, Jr. across the middle of the field.
Pittsburgh has a bye after this game, and they would much rather spend that quality time on a high off some revenge, and a win that would put them in solid control of the North. After the break, a visit to Cincinnati awaits on Sunday night, November 15th at 8:20 PM, so 6-2 would be much nicer than 5-3 and the Browns owning the division tiebreaker.
The Browns have been walking on eggshells most of the year. Their luck runs out this Sunday afternoon.
Game Prediction: Steelers 27 Browns 17
GameDay Information
Week 8: Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) vs Cleveland Browns (5-2)
Game-time: Sunday, November 1st, at 1:00 PM.
Venue: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA
- Field: Tahoma 31 Bermudagrass
Vegas line: Steelers -3.5
Weather at kickoff: 65 and partly cloudy. Winds out of the Southeast at 0-5 MPH.
Broadcast Information
TV: CBS | Local: KDKA-TV (Xfinity: 802 | Dish: 2 | DirecTV: 2 )
- Announcers: Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) Trent Green (analysts) | Melanie Collins (field reporter)
Local Radio: Pittsburgh- 102.5 WDVE-FM & 970 WBGG-AM
- Announcers: Rob King (play-by-play) Max Starks (analyst) | Missi Matthews (field reporter)
National Radio: N/A
- Announcers: N/A (play-by-play) N/A (analyst)
Internet Broadcast: Steelers Nation Radio (SNR) on Steelers.com
Scouting the Pittsburgh Steelers
Overall record: 5-2 (Tied for 1st in AFC North)
Last game: Steelers 16 Saints 10
Head Coach: Mike McCarthy
- 1st Season with Steelers
Overall regular-season record: 179-114-2 | 5-2 with Steelers
Playoff record: 11-11
Team Links
Steelers Offense
Offensive Coordinator: Brian Angelichio
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 21.9 (22nd)
- Total yards per game: 348.9 (18th)
- Passing yards per game: 242.7 (18th)
- Rushing yards per game: 106.1 (20th)
- Time of Possession: 31:37 (10th)
QUARTERBACK
Starter: Aaron Rodgers | #8
Passing Yards: 1,699 | TD Passes: 13 | INT’s: 5 | Sacked: 22
Rushing Yards: 23 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Back-up: Mason Rudolph | #2
Passing Yards: 0 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 0
Rushing Yards: 1 | Rushing TD’s: 0
RUNNING BACKS
RB#1: Jaylen Warren | #30
Rushing Yards: 561 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Receptions: 24 | Receiving Yards: 294 | Receiving TD’s: 1
RB#2: Rico Dowdle | #13
Rushing Yards: 118 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 13 | Receiving Yards: 82 | Receiving TD’s: 0
FB#1: Riley Nowakowski | #37
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
RB#3: Lew Nichols | #31
Rushing Yards: 6 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
RB#4: Travis Homer | #21
Rushing Yards: 15 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
RB#5: Eli Heidenreich | #29
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
WR#1: D.K. Metcalf | #4
Receptions: 32 | Receiving Yards: 374 | Receiving TD’s: 1
WR#2: Germie Bernard | #17
Receptions: 27 | Receiving Yards: 254 | Receiving TD’s: 1
WR#3: Brian Skowronek* | #15
Receptions: 3 | Receiving Yards: 32 | Receiving TD’s: 1
WR#4: Brandon Smith | #87
Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 24 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WR#5: Brandon Johnson | #89
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WR#6: Marquez Valdez-Scantling | #11
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WR#7: Kaden Wetjen | #10
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Injured
WR: Michael Pittman, Jr.* | #11
Receptions: 7 | Receiving Yards: 89 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WR: Roman Wilson* | #14
Receptions: 14 | Receiving Yards: 188 | Receiving TD’s: 2
TIGHT ENDS
TE#1: Pat Freiermuth | #88
Receptions: 23 | Receiving Yards: 200 | Receiving TD’s: 4
TE#2: Darnell Washington | #80
Receptions: 16 | Receiving Yards: 160 | Receiving TD’s: 3
TE#3: Robert Tonyan | #85
Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 2 | Receiving TD’s: 0
KICKER
Chris Boswell | #9
Extra Points: 12-12
Field Goals: 16-20
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 3-3
- 30-39 yards: 5-5
- 40-49 yards: 4-6
- 50+ yards: 4-6
OFFENSIVE LINE
LT: Troy Fautanu | #76
LG: Mason McCormick | #66
C: Zach Frazier | #54
RG: Brock Hoffman | #67
RT: Max Iheanachor | #71
Steelers Defense
Defensive Coordinator: Patrick Graham
Defensive System: 3-4
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 19.7 (5th)
- Total offensive yards per game allowed: 303.7 (6th)
- Passing yards allowed: 212.7 (11th)
- Rushing yards allowed: 91 (7th)
- Sacks: 18 (9th)
- Interceptions: 7 (4th)
DEFENSIVE LINE
DT: Cam Heyward | #97
Tackles: 22 | Sacks: 1
NT: Keeanu Benton | #95
Tackles: 19 | Sacks: 0
DE: Derrick Harmon* | #99
Tackles: 12 | Sacks: 1.5
OR
Yahya Black | #94
Tackles: 16 | Sacks: 1
LINEBACKERS
LOLB: T.J. Watt | #90
Tackles: 17 | Sacks: 5.5 | INT: 1 | TD: 1
LILB: Patrick Queen | #6
Tackles: 48 | Sacks: 1 | INT: 1
RILB: Payton Wilson | #41
Tackles: 57 | Sacks: 1 | INT: 1
ROLB: Alex Highsmith | #56
Tackles: 13 | Sacks: 3 | INT: 0
OR Nick Herbig | #51
Tackles: 19 | Sacks: 2 | INT: 0
SECONDARY
LCB: Asante Samuel, Jr. | #22
Tackles: 27 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
FS: Jaquan Brisker | #3
Tackles: 44 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
SS: Rayshawn Jenkins | #20
Tackles: 15 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
OR
DeShon Elliot | #25
Tackles: 1 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
RCB: Jamel Dean | #35
Tackles: 25 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
OR Daylen Everette | #23
Tackles: 15 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
NB: Jalen Ramsey | #5
Tackles: 44 | Sacks: 2 | INT: 0
*Injured/Out
Scouting the Cleveland Browns
Overall record: 5-2 (1st in AFC North)
Last game: Browns 27 Titans 24
Head Coach: Todd Monken
- 1st Season with Cleveland
- Overall regular-season record: 5-2 | 5-2 with Browns
- Playoff Record: 0-0
Team Links
Browns Offense
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 19 (28th)
- Total Offense per game: 318.4 (24th)
- Passing yards per game: 211.7 (23rd)
- Rushing yards per game: 106.7 (19th)
- Time of Possession: 29:27 (21st)
QUARTERBACK
Deshaun Watson | #4
Passing Yards: 1,482 | TD Passes: 7 | INT’s: 3 | Sacked: 25
Rushing Yards: 215 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Back-up: Shedeur Sanders | #2
Passing Yards: 0 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 0
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
RUNNING BACKS
Quinshon Judkins | #10
Rushing Yards: 317 | Rushing TD’s: 3
Receptions: 19 | Receiving Yards: 110 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Dylan Sampson | #22
Rushing Yards: 45 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 3 | Receiving Yards: 32 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Raheim Sanders | #23
Rushing Yards: 43 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 11 | Receiving Yards: 74 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jaleel McLaughlin | #38
Rushing Yards: 72 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Receptions: 4 | Receiving Yards: 14 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
Denzel Boston | #12
Receptions: 20 | Receiving Yards: 372 | Receiving TD’s: 3
K.C. Concepcion | #1
Receptions: 30 | Receiving Yards: 315 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jerry Jeudy | #3
Receptions: 16 | Receiving Yards: 171 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Tylan Wallace | #16
Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 12 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Isaiah Bond | #0
Receptions: 5 | Receiving Yards: 86 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Malachi Corley| #11
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
TIGHT ENDS
Harold Fannin, Jr. | #44
Receptions: 25 | Receiving Yards: 257 | Receiving TD’s: 3
Blake Whitehurt | #86
Receptions: 3 | Receiving Yards: 39 | Receiving TD’s: 1
KICKER
Andre Szmyt | #25
Extra Points: 11-12
Field Goals: 14-16
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 3-3
- 30-39 yards: 4-4
- 40-49 yards: 5-7
- 50+ yards: 2-2
Browns Defense
Defensive System: 4-3
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 20.9 (12th)
- Total offensive yards per game allowed: 318.1 (12th)
- Passing yards allowed: 201.7 (7th)
- Rushing yards allowed: 116.4 (20th)
- Sacks: 20 (6th)
- Interceptions: 5 (10th)
DEFENSIVE LINE
LDE: Jared Verse | #8
Tackles: 17 | Sacks: 0
DT: Maliek Collins | #96
Tackles: 17 | Sacks: 3.5
DT: Mason Graham | #94
Tackles: 15 | Sacks: 4
RDE: Isaiah McGuire | #57
Tackles: 19 | Sacks: 3
LINEBACKERS
WILL: Carson Schwesinger | #49
Tackles: 64 | Sacks: 1 | INT: 0
MIKE: Quincy Williams | #5
Tackles: 50 | Sacks: 1 | INT: 0
SAM: Eaton Mascarenas-Arnold | #42
Tackles: 3 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SECONDARY
LCB: Tyson Campbell | #7
Tackles: 29 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SS: Grant Delpit | #9
Tackles: 31 | Sacks: 1 | INT: 1
FS: Ronnie Hickman | #33
Tackles: 41 | Sacks: 1 | INT: 1
RCB: Denzel Ward | #21
Tackles: 27 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 2
*Injured/Out
Steelers vs Browns History
Series History: Began in 1950
Overall Record: 81-65-1
- Home: 52-21
- Away: 29-44-1
- Postseason: 2-1
Streak: (2) Browns won the last two games.
Last regular-season meeting: Browns Win, 27-24 (Oct. 1st, 2026)
Last postseason meeting: Browns Win, 48-37 (Jan. 10, 2021)
Injury Report (10/30/2026)
Pittsburgh Steelers
IR: WR Michael Pittman (foot), WR Roman Wilson (Finger)
Out: CB Brandin Echols (Hamstring), DB Doneiko Slaughter (Hamstring)
Doubtful: None
Questionable: WR Ben Skowronek (Calf)
Cleveland Browns
IR: N/A
Out: None
Doubtful: None
Questionable: CB Myles Harden, OT Tytus Howard, S Daniel Thomas
* In designated to return from IR window
Pittsburgh Steelers Schedule (5-2)
Sunday, Sept. 13 Atlanta | W, 20-13
Sunday, Sept. 20 at New England | L, 3-20
Sunday, Sept. 27 Cincinnati | W, 30-27
Thursday, Oct. 1 at Cleveland | L, 24-27
Sunday, Oct. 11 Indianapolis | W, 34-22
Sunday, Oct. 18 at Tampa Bay | W, 26-19 (ot)
Sunday, Oct. 25 vs New Orleans | W, 16-10
Sunday, Nov. 1 vs Cleveland at 1:00 p.m.
BYE WEEK
Sunday, Nov. 15 at Cincinnati* at 8:20 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 22 at Philadelphia* at 4:25 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 27 vs Denver* at 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 6 vs Houston* at 8:20 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 14 at Jacksonville* at 8:15 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 20 vs Baltimore* at 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 27 vs Carolina* at 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 3 at Tennessee* at 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 10 at Baltimore* at 1:00 p.m.
*Time, Date, and TV network may change due to flexible scheduling
NOTE: All times are Eastern Home games in BOLD
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- 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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