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 Cleveland Browns Stadium
Record: 6-3.
Last game: Defeated Green Bay Packers, 23-19, November 12, in Pittsburgh.
Coach: Mike Tomlin, 169-96-2, 17th year.
Series record: Steelers lead, 79-61-1.
Last meeting: Steelers won, 26-22, September 18, in Pittsburgh.
League rankings: Offense is 28th overall, (20th rushing, 29th passing), defense is 28th overall (25th rushing, 27th passing) and turnover differential is plus-10.
Things to watch
1. The Steelers continue to win by dragging opponents into ugly offensive contests, winning the turnover margin and prevailing with fourth-quarter magic from quarterback Kenny Pickett. They are 6-0 this season in one-score games (eight points or less) and have nine in a row and 11 of their last 12 in those tight games. They have been outgained in every game and their minus-26 point differential is by far the worst for a team above .500.
Despite pedestrian individual statistics, Kenny Pickett is 13-8 as Steelers starting QB and has orchestrated six fourth-quarter comeback wins in 21 games.
2. In 2 ½ seasons with Matt Canada as offensive coordinator, they have averaged 18.1 points per game and have scored more than 30 just two times. Mike Tomlin has been ridiculed for not making a change at coordinator, but the head coach finally assuaged concern three weeks ago when he instructed Canada to move to the sidelines during games instead of in the stadium box. Coincidence or not, the results the past two games have been encouraging. They scored touchdowns on their first two possessions against Green Bay for the first time all season.
3. A big change on offense has been the promotion of running back Jaylen Warren, who was actually introduced as a co-starter with Najee Harris last week. The quicker, shiftier Warren has seen his snap counts and touches increase to put him on a par with Harris. Warren had his first career 100-yard rushing game last week. As a result, the Steelers rushed for 371 yards in their past two games. That was the highest consecutive game total in Tomlin’s 17 seasons as coach.
4. Injuries have decimated the inside linebacker position, claiming two of their three-man rotation. Cole Holcomb was lost to a season-ending knee injury in the Tennessee game and Kwon Alexander to an Achilles tendon tear in the Green Bay game. Those leave Elandon Roberts as the only healthy starter and he was the worst of the bunch in coverage. The end result is the Steelers’ defense is extremely vulnerable in the middle of the field.
5. Two key players possibly could return Sunday from missing multiple games to injury. Tight end Pat Freiermuth (hamstring) is eligible to come off injured reserve and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (hamstring), who was not put on IR, is expected to practice for the first time in three weeks.
Did you know … ?
1. The Steelers keep a detailed running comparison of T.J. Watt and Myles Garrett in their game notes. They point out that Watt is 7-1-1 in games in which they are both active; that Watt has three takeaways, 28 quarterback hits, 19 tackles for loss, 16.0 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 INT and 1 defensive touchdown v. Garrett’s 16 quarterback hits, 8 tackles for loss, 2 strip sacks, 7.0 sacks and 3 forced fumbles.
2. The Steelers have sealed victories in their last two games with interceptions at the goal line.
3. The Steelers are 2-0 in AFC North games but have two in a row on the road and three of their remaining four overall in visiting stadiums.
4. Second-year receiver George Pickens is a tremendous pass-catcher, but is a squeaky wheel when not receiving what he considers his fair share of targets. Teammates try to coach him down from being a distraction. Pickens leads the team with 33 receptions on 62 targets for 566 yards (17.2 average) and 3 touchdowns.
5. Kicker Chris Boswell is 17 of 18 on field goals and 13 of 13 in PATs this year. His only miss was from 61 yards.
6. The Steelers are 16-7-1 in Cleveland Browns Stadium. That .688 win percentage is fifth-best of any NFL team in an opposing stadium (20 games minimum).
Small world: Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi was a third-round draft pick of the Browns in 2017 and played in Cleveland through 2020 … Quarterback Mitch Trubisky was Ohio Mr. Football in 2012 playing for Mentor HS … Guard James Daniels played at Warren G. Harding HS … Receivers coach Frisman Jackson played for the Browns from 2002-05 and coach at Akron from 2010-11 … Tight ends coach Alfredo Roberts held the same position with the Browns from 2007-08.
