Steelers rookie QB Kenny Pickett is developing a knack for pulling out wins on his last series. (Getty Images)
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. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Browns v. Pittsburgh Steelers
Sunday, 1 p.m., in Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA
Record: 8-8.
Last game: Defeated Baltimore Ravens, 16-13, Jan. 1, in Baltimore.
Coach: Mike Tomlin, 170-102-2, 16th year.
Series record: Steelers lead, 79-62-1 (counting postseason).
Last meeting: Browns won, 29-17, Sept. 22, in Cleveland.
League rankings: Offense is 23rd overall (17th rushing, 24th passing), defense is 14th overall (seventh rushing, 20th passing) and turnover differential is plus-3.
Things to watch
1. Rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett ranks 32nd in overall passer rating (76.5) but he has exhibited the trait of a winner. He has three game-winning drives in the final moments, including two in a row that have put the Steelers on the precipice of the playoffs. In those three game-winning drives, Pickett was 17 of 21 for 174 yards and three touchdowns and a rating of 132.9. In the other portions of those games, Pickett was a pedestrian 44 of 73 for 412 yards, no touchdowns and one interception, for a passer rating of 70.1. The bottom line is you give him a chance to pull out a win, and he will excel.
2. The Steelers have played themselves into the playoff picture despite owning the least-explosive passing game in the league. Their 11 passing touchdowns are last in the league and Pickett’s scrawny 6.14-yard per pass attempt is the worst among all starting quarterbacks. Receiver Diontae Johnson has 84 receptions and no touchdowns. Amazing.
3. Two areas of the Steelers have spearheaded their playoff drive. A year ago, they were the worst defense against the run. Now, they’re seventh. And their offensive line, which was a weakness for several years, has progressed. The starting unit has been intact for 16 consecutive games. Its gradual improvement not only contributed to Pickett’s success, it has re-energized second-year back Najee Harris, who is running with more authority in the second half of the season.
4. Reigning defensive player-of-the-year T.J. Watt has missed seven games. In the nine games with Watt playing through pec, knee and rib injuries, the Steelers are 7-2. All the while, Watt’s pass-rush complement, Alex Highsmith, has put together a career year. Highsmith has a career-high 12 sacks and leads the NFL with five forced fumbles.
5. Defensive tackle Cameron Heyward might have been the biggest Pro Bowl snub of the year in the AFC. At 33, Heyward is still one of the league’s most dominating and disruptive defensive linemen.
Did you know … ?
1. Rookie George Pickens (49 receptions, 729 yards, 14.9 average) doesn’t have the numbers to challenge for “rookie receiver-of-the-year,” but he may be the best at contested catches. The problem with Pickens is that he is strictly a boundary receiver and doesn’t venture in the middle of the field.
2. Kicker Chris Boswell, who entered his eighth season ranked fourth all-time in field goal percentage (.883), has suffered his worst season (18 of 26). Boswell had missed 4 of his last 8 field goals before making three against Baltimore.
3. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick probably will be voted the team’s MVP this season. He leads the NFL with six interceptions.
4. Browns defensive coordinator Joe Woods considers Mike Tomlin one of his career mentors. Woods broke into the NFL in 2004 with Tampa Bay when Tomlin was Bucs defensive backs coach.
Small world: Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi was a third-round draft pick of the Browns in 2017 and played with them through 2020 … Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky is a native of Mentor and earned Ohio’s Mr. Football award as a senior in 2012 … Assistant head coach John Mitchell was Browns defensive line coach 1991-93 … Receivers coach Frisman Jackson played for the Browns 2002-05 and was receivers coach at Akron 2010-11 … Tight ends coach Alfredo Roberts had the same role with the Browns 2007-08.
