Steelers to watch in rematch with Browns
The Pittsburgh Steelers enter Week 14 of the 2024 NFL regular season looking to exact revenge against a Cleveland Browns team that beat them in Week 12 of the 2024 NFL regular season. The game will be played at Acrisure Stadium this time, with the weather predicted to be sunny but cool, unlike the snow squall that occurred the last time the division rivals met. Let’s look at the Steelers players to watch in the rematch.
Steelers pass rush
It’s been a hard season for outside linebacker Alex Highsmith who has dealt with injury, but his addition to the lineup once again should mean that Pittsburgh has a full compliment of options to utilize in getting after quarterback Jameis Winston this weekend. In his absence, Nick Herbig has logged a strip in each of the last three games and, paired with T.J. Watt, leads the league in forced fumbles.
With Preston Smith also available, experience playing the Browns just two weeks ago, and plenty of film, the Steelers pass rush is expected to be in great shape to dial-up pressure. Winston isn’t the top quarterback in the league in protecting the ball, and the type of pressure the Steelers apply held Winston to a season-low in passing yards in Week 12’s game.
“Make no mistake, there’s enough work for all parties involved, and we’re excited about sorting that out as we prepare.” – Head coach Mike Tomlin
Steelers receivers
Although Calvin Austin III remains in the concussion protocol, the Steelers gave Ben Skowronek more opportunities to play with the offense, not just on special teams. Granted, he has just two catches in his six games with Pittsburgh this season, but his 23-yard reception against the Bengals illustrated that there’s more depth at that position than many fans believed. Skowronek is also a fantastic downfield blocker.
Mike Williams has just one reception (to one target) in four games, which begs the question as to just how healthy, and available, he is in Arthur Smith’s scheme, which has led to Austin and Van Jefferson getting opportunities alongside George Pickens.
Offensive line play
With Zach Frazier back at center, the Steelers offensive line has remained steady. Browns defensive end Myles Garrett has zero respect for the Steelers, so their unified play will be important in how successful the offense operates this weekend.
Broderick Jones has shown maturity after taking criticism earlier this season for his play; he also played a part in calming Pickens, who received a flag for unsportsmanlike behavior in Cincinnati. His leadership along with Dan Moore‘s will be critical in Week 14.
Balanced offense
The Steelers and Russell Wilson got into a shootout with Joe Burrow and the Bengals. That’s not the place Tomlin feels comfortable being in week after week, but that speaks more to his defense keeping opponents from being able to start one, and not that the offense was able to answer the Bengals’ offense last week. This week, Tomlin said,
“I thought the offense, in several circumstances, displayed the type of complimentary response that you need from an offense, whether it was a turnover response like that or response to a scoring drive by Cincinnati’s offense, I just love that component of our play that was on display.”
Wilson, realistically, may or may not be able to sustain that level of play. It would benefit the team, overall, if they were able to once again establish the run game against the Browns. It is a tall task, as Cleveland held Pittsburgh to just 3.5 yards per carry in Week 12. If the Steelers become one-dimensional offensively, which is the Browns’ defensive goal, this game could turn into another slugfest.
