AFC North Slugfest: An Old-Fashioned Street Fight
Welcome to Steelers week, Browns fans!
Sunday at 12:00 PM CST, our 5-2 Cleveland Browns roll into Pittsburgh’s Acrisure Stadium for round two of this annual divisional rock fight.
As usual, the Dawg Pound will gather at Burke’s Public House to cheer Cleveland to victory.
With both franchises fighting for top spot in the AFC North, expect heavy trash talk, zero love lost, and plenty of personal fouls.
Breaking the 23-Year Pittsburgh Curse
A Browns victory over the 5-2 Steelers changes everything.
It gives Cleveland its first win in Pittsburgh in 23 years, the head-to-head tiebreaker, a clean 3-0 divisional record, and the first season sweep of the Steelers since 1988.
Fortunately, history won’t affect this game plan.
The roster features 16 players aged 23 and younger who weren’t even alive the last time Cleveland won in the Steel City.
Believe It or Not: Deshaun Watson vs. Aaron Rodgers
Pittsburgh rides a three-game winning streak following their Week 4 loss to Cleveland, while the Browns have won 5 of their last 6.
Believe it or not, Deshaun Watson enters Sunday with a higher passer rating (90.6 vs. 88.9) than Aaron Rodgers.
Watson vs. Rodgers Stat Comparison
- Interceptions: Watson 3 | Rodgers 5
- Interception Rate: Watson 1.4% | Rodgers 1.9%
- Completion Rate: Watson 64.8% | Rodgers 61.6%
- Yards Per Pass: Watson 7.1 | Rodgers 6.5
- Sack Yards Lost: Watson 133 | Rodgers 176
Pittsburgh’s New-Look Passing Attack
Forget the old “smashmouth running” narrative in Pittsburgh.
The Steelers throw on over 64% of offensive snaps—the 2nd highest rate in the NFL. They also hold the 2nd lowest rushing play percentage and 4th lowest carries per game.
Both teams sit virtually tied in rushing production at 106 yards per game.
During Pittsburgh’s three-game win streak, Rodgers heated up with a 67.3% completion rate, 99.0 passer rating, 6 TDs, and just 1 INT.
Keys to Muzzling the Steelers Offense
Stopping Pittsburgh requires containing all-purpose threat Jaylen Warren.
Warren ranks 4th in yards per carry (5.5), 7th in rushing yards, and 4th in scrimmage yards (855). Over his last three outings, he averages 134 total yards per game with two 100-yard games.
With receiver Roman Wilson out (hand), Rodgers will rely heavily on:
- DK Metcalf: 32 receptions, 1 TD
- Pat Freiermuth: 23 receptions, 4 TDs
- Jaylen Warren: Swing passes out of the backfield
Expect Pittsburgh to target Browns rookie DB Myles Harden (5’11”, 195 lbs) against DK Metcalf (6’4″, 235 lbs) and TE Darnell Washington (6’6″, 311 lbs) in the red zone. Cleveland must slide safety help over to prevent deep damage.
Facing Pittsburgh’s Steel Curtain Defense
While the offense evolved, Pittsburgh’s defense remains lethal under 4-time All-Pro T.J. Watt.
Defensive Ranks & Stats
- Points Allowed: 5th (under 20.0 PPG)
- Total Defense: 6th (303.7 YPG)
- 3rd Down Defense: 7th (under 35% conversion rate)
- Red Zone Defense: Allows TDs on just 46% of trips
- Rush Defense: 6th (3.7 YPC, 91.0 YPG)
Watt boasts 6 sacks, 20 QB pressures, 7 TFLs, and PFF’s top run-defense grade among defensive ends. Alongside 4-time All-Pro Cameron Heyward, he will test Watson’s throw time.
In the secondary, CB Jamel Dean leads an 11th-ranked pass defense. However, opponents have found success targeting CB Asante Samuel Jr. (ranked 73rd) and veteran safety Jalen Ramsey (126.7 passer rating allowed).
Expect special teams and field goals to decide this game. Cleveland’s average margin of victory in win games is 3.2 points, while Pittsburgh’s sits at 7.0 points.
Trade Deadline Wishlist for the Front Office
With the trade deadline 10 days away and Cleveland chasing its first division crown since 1989, the front office must shop actively.
Here is what the team needs:
- Blocking Tight End: A heavy-blocking TE to complement pass-catchers Harold Fannin Jr. and Blake Whiteheart to boost our 19th-ranked run game.
- Pass Rusher: Edge depth alongside Jared Verse, who has struggled early with zero sacks through 7 games.
- Cornerback Depth: Secondary insurance. Opponents are targeting Myles Harden aggressively (40 targets, 347 yards allowed in just 290 snaps).
See you Sunday at Burke’s! GO BROWNS… GO CAVS!
From the Editor/WebMaster: Thank you for reading and joining us again for this 2026 season – we hope to see you at Burke’s Irish Pub at 5401 N Broadway, Chicago IL for the games! Don’t forget to check out our Merch and our Socials. All Merch proceeds goes to charity!