Ben Roethlisberger, whose 11 wins in FirstEnergy Stadium are second to Baker Mayfield's 16, could be making his last visit as a Steelers quarterback on Sunday (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
Cleveland Browns scouting report: Pittsburgh Steelers
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is an analyst on the Cleveland Browns for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Browns v. Pittsburgh Steelers
Sunday, 1 p.m., in FirstEnergy Stadium
Record: 3-3
Last game: Defeated Seattle Seahawks, 23-20 in OT, Oct. 17, in Seattle.
Coach: Mike Tomlin, 148-81-1, 15th year.
Series record: Steelers lead, 76-62-1 (counting postseason).
Last meeting: Browns won, 48-37, in AFC wild card, Jan. 10, in Pittsburgh.
League rankings: Offense is 27th overall (29th rushing, 15th passing), defense is 12th overall, (12th rushing, 15th passing) and turnover differential is minus-2.
Things to watch
1. This very well could be the last appearance in Cleveland for Big Ben Roethlisberger, who has tortured the Browns more than any one person in their expansion era. Roethlisberger’s 23 wins against the Browns are the sixth-most for a player against one team. His 23-3-1 overall record includes an 11-2-1 mark in Cleveland. Roethlisberger, in fact, had more wins in FirstEnergy Stadium than any Browns quarterback until Baker Mayfield (16) exceeded him in 2020. The native of Findlay, OH, Roethlisberger, 39, is not expected to return to the Steelers after this, his 18th, season.
2. Roethlisberger’s 528 career sacks are second all-time to Tom Brady’s 530. Although he is the least-sacked quarterback over the past six seasons, the toll of those body shots is evident. Ben now seeks to release the ball at all costs before he is hit. A debilitating offensive line the past two years has turned Roethlisberger into a dink-and-dunk passer to avoid hits. It’s not because of his arm; it’s still better than average. The Steelers’ efforts to rebuild the line resulted in four new starters, including two rookies. The bottom line is it hasn’t been good enough.
3. New offensive coordinator Matt Canada has committed to restoring a running game to the offense, to mixed reviews. Rookie No. 1 pick Najee Harris has rushed for 203 yards in the Steelers’ last two games, but his overall average of 3.8 per attempt attests to the line’s deficiency. Canada’s scheme has eliminated the no-huddle attack Roethlisberger loved to operate and severely reduced his ability to change plays. Canada’s goal is to limit Roethlisberger’s pass attempts to below 40 a game. He’s reached that goal only twice in six games. The fact is the Steelers’ offense is in transition and Roethlisberger has taken on the awkward role as a bridge quarterback.
4. The Steelers’ defense still has big-name playmakers – T.J. Watt, Casey Hampton, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Devin Bush. But its three-man front has always been the secret sauce that sets up everything else. And that’s where it’s been lacking this year. Hampton has been without nose tackle Tyson Alualu and end Stephon Tuitt. The loss of those injured veteran mainstays has impacted all levels of the defense.
Did you know … ?
1. The Steelers’ next two opponents are Chicago and Detroit in Heinz Field. So while revenge of last season’s Cleveland playoff win in Pittsburgh is a real factor on their minds, the Steelers know they have a real chance of moving into the playoff picture with a win over the Browns.
2. T.J. Watt was the 30th pick of the 2017 draft; Myles Garrett the first pick. Watt has 56.5 sacks in 67 games; Garrett has 52 sacks in 58 games. This year, Watt signed a four-year contract extension for $112 million, including $80 million guaranteed; in 2020, Garrett signed a five-year extension for $125 million, including $100 million guaranteed.
3. The Steelers have had three head coaches since 1969. Here are their records through their first 14 seasons on the job – 1. Mike Tomlin, 145-78-1 (.650); 2. Bill Cowher, 141-82-1 (.632); 3. Chuck Noll, 123-75-1 (.621).
Small world: Cornerback Joe Haden (2010-16), linebacker Joe Schobert (2016-19) and offensive tackle Zach Banner (2017) played for the Browns … Assistant head coach John Mitchell was Browns defensive line coach (1991-93) … Tight ends coach Alfredo Roberts was Browns tight ends coach (2007-08) … Defensive coordinator Keith Butler was Browns linebackers coach (1999-2002).
