Behind Enemy Lines: Breaking down the Browns’ Week 6 matchup with Steelers Wire
It’s Steelers week in Cleveland. The 4-1 Browns head to Pittsburgh to try and win for the first time in well over a decade. They’ll need to overcome an unbeaten Steelers team that is playing very well on both sides of the ball.
To get caught up with all that’s going on with the Browns’ AFC North rival, I turned to Steelers Wire editor Cury Popejoy for some questions on Pittsburgh. Thanks to Popejoy for the info!
How has Ben Roethlisberger’s return to the field looked? Is the arm back to normal?
I would say Big Ben is back completely except for his deep throws. He’s shown excellent touch and zip on his short and intermediate passes but is still floating the deep ball. I don’t know if it is just a matter of confidence or reps but he’s still missing one of the trademarks of his game.
The offensive line has some injuries. How are the Steelers managing the offensive front?
Right now it looks like guard David DeCastro might not be available. But he missed the two three games it isn’t as if the Steelers haven’t played without him. This is a new group with guys in new spots but they have played well.
Chase Claypool is coming off a fantastic 4-TD game. How do the Steelers manage all the WR talent and keeping everyone’s mouth fed?
I think having so many young guys on the team helps. There isn’t a veteran on the depth chart clamoring for the football because their ego is hurt or their earning potential. These are all just kids basically who are having fun celebrating the success of each other.
What’s one matchup where the Browns should give Pittsburgh some concern?
The easy answer here is in the Steelers secondary. This group has been exposed in the first round games against some pretty average receivers. Cleveland has a much more talented group who could give the Steelers secondary fits.
Any worry from a Steelers standpoint about the Myles Garrett incident/retribution?
I don’t look for the Steelers to do a thing. Tomlin came out this week and talked about not wanting to get into the whole reality TV thing with the drama and I believe him. If things happen in the game, I don’t look for a guy like Maurkice Pouncey to ignore it but I don’t look for them to initiate anything.
Who wins and why?
This really is a pick ’em type of game. Both teams are strong at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the football and this is typically where you can differentiate between teams. I give the edge to the Steelers at quarterback, the home field edge and history on their side. Pittsburgh pulls off a close one 28-24
