3 Keys to Browns Beating Steelers
Just like the Bengals in week one, this year's iteration of the Pittsburgh Steelers has a few noticeable weaknesses that can be exploited by the Cleveland Browns on Monday night.
The Browns tore the Bengals apart on Sunday and have the ability to do something similar to the Pittsburgh Steelers on national television. Based on week one, this Pittsburgh team appears to be in shambles when it comes to underperforming position groups and injuries.
Cleveland needs to keep their foot on the gas and continue running over these divisional opponents. The easiest way to do so is to take advantage of a few glaring holes that the Steelers currently have in their game right now.
1. Run the ball
Pittsburgh's defense looked completely incompetent in week one when it came to stopping the 49ers' rushing attack. They allowed San Francisco ball carriers to rush for 188 yards while averaging 5.5 yards per carry. This fact paired with the news of Cam Heyward being out on Monday, and possibly Larry Ogunjobi could result in a huge opportunity for Cleveland to ravage this Steeler defense all game long.
Nick Chubb and Jerome Ford should see an uptick in carries this week, especially with the way the offensive line played in week one. Ford also needs more chances to get into a groove and prove to the team that he can be a viable depth option behind Chubb.
Running the ball more against the Steelers would also be helpful for Cleveland's offensive tackles in this game as well. Jedrick Wills continues to be shaky as a pass blocker, but can be a road grader in the run game.
Rookie offensive tackle Dawand Jones is starting in place of Jack Conklin who fell victim to a season-ending injury in week one. Though Jones has proven to be a better pass blocker than run blocker so far, it might help if the team lets him fire out and "stick it" to TJ Watt in the run game. The fewer opportunities that Watt has to rush the passer, the better.
2. Force Kenny Pickett to win with his arm
Kenny Pickett threw 46 passes in week one and only averaged 3.88 net yards per attempt against the 49ers, and that was with a fully healthy set of pass-catchers. Pittsburgh will be without their most reliable and efficient receiver in Diontae Johnson this week due to injury.
If the Browns' defense can contain Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren in the run game similar to how they limited Bengals ball carriers to only 3.8 ypc last week, then the Steelers will be forced to throw the ball more. This is the exact opposite of what Pittsburgh OC Matt Canada wants to do against this Cleveland secondary.
Pittsburgh wants to neutralize this relentless Cleveland pass rush by running the football. Najee Harris only ran the ball six times in week one, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him get force-fed 25+ carries in this game.
The Browns' secondary played extremely well in week one against one of the top wide receiver units in the league. If they put together another dominant performance on Monday night against this battered Pittsburgh Steeler receiver room, then Pickett is inevitably going to make some mistakes.
3. The defensive line needs to continue dominating
It's widely known that the Browns' defensive line ravaged the Cincinnati offense in the season opener. They have the opportunity to do the same against a Pittsburgh offensive line that completely imploded against San Francisco.
Steelers center Mason Cole, left guard Isaac Seumalo, and specifically left tackle Dan Moore played poorly last week. They allowed over 15 QB pressures between them, and appeared to be out of sync in terms of overall communication as well.
It's safe to say that Jim Schwartz is going to throw the "kitchen sink" at that left side of the offensive line. Similar to what Cleveland did to Joe Burrow, Kenny Pickett should be under constant pressure from start to finish. Schwartz moved Myles Garrett all over the place against Cincinnati, including over the center in a two-point stance. He needs to do more of the same this week and overwhelm this already atrocious Steeler offensive line.
Though the Pittsburgh Steelers should never be taken lightly, especially with Mike Tomlin as head coach, these three factors could propel Cleveland to another big win on Monday night.
