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
Monday, 8:15 p.m., in Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA
Record: 0-1.
Last game: Lost to San Francisco 49ers, 30-7, September 10, in Pittsburgh.
Coach: Mike Tomlin, 163-94-2, 17th year.
Series record: Steelers lead, 80-62-1 (counting postseason).
Last meeting: Steelers won, 28-14, January 8, in Pittsburgh.
League rankings: Offense is 27th overall (31st rushing, 15th passing), defense is 29th overall (30th rushing, 21st passing) and turnover differential is minus-1.
Things to watch
1. An unusually aggressive transaction season for the Steelers followed by an almost flawless preseason raised hopes that they could be serious division challengers. Then they laid a massive egg in their season-opener at home to the 49ers. In three preseason games, the Steelers’ No. 1 offense played five series and scored touchdowns on every one. Against the 49ers, their first five series ended in four punts after three-and-outs and one interception. All of which has turned up the heat already on offensive coordinator Matt Canada and eased the hype of second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett.
2. Adding injury to insult, the Steelers lost two important starters to injuries for multiple games. Defensive tackle Cameron Heyward, a mainstay on the Steelers’ outstanding three-man defensive front for a dozen years, suffered a groin injury that will require surgery and keep him out for about eight weeks. The Steelers will use a rotation of Isaiahh Loudermilk, DeMarvin Leal and rookie Keeanu Benton to replace Heyward, a four-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler. Also out for at least two games is wide receiver Diontae Johnson with a hamstring injury. Johnson was the team’s No. 1 receiver. On an offense that has failed to score more than one touchdown in 14 of its last 35 games, his absence will be felt.
Kenny Pickett's 2023 regular-season debut did not go as wonderfully as his perfect preseason.
3. Pickett’s play in the opener was as bad as anything he produced early in his rookie year and blunted hopes that he might close the gap in his second season on division-rival quarterbacks Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson. It was shocking because Pickett had shown steady improvement over the second half of last season and was immaculate in three preseason outings, spinning a perfect 158.3 passer rating. Against the 49ers, Pickett was skittish in the pocket and inaccurate on throws.
4. The Steelers thought they made major upgrades to their offensive line with additions of ex-Eagles guard Isaac Seumalo in free agency and left tackle Broderick Jones of Georgia with their first-round draft pick. But the line was overwhelmed in the opener and Jones failed to unseat veteran Dan Moore in preseason.
5. Omar Kahn replaced long-time GM Kevin Colbert, who retired, this year. Kahn's busy offseason included acquiring three new veteran starters on defense – inside linebackers Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts, and cornerback Patrick Peterson. A third inside linebacker, Kwon Alexander, came off the bench and led the defense in tackles in Game 1.
Did you know … ?
1. Edge rusher T.J. Watt kicked off his seventh season with three sacks, two forced fumbles and one recovery. The 2021 NFL defensive player of the year and co-holder of the season sack record with 22.5 now has 80.5 sacks in 88 games in his Steelers career. In 10 games against the Browns, Watt has 15 sacks, one interception, and one fumble recovery.
2. The Steelers have not lost to the Browns in a regular-season game in Pittsburgh since Tim Couch produced his last victory as a Browns quarterback, 33-13, in 2003. Pittsburgh has won 19 in a row by an average score of 27.9 to 14.9.
3. The Steelers have finished ahead of the Browns in the AFC Central or AFC North standings every season since 1989.
4. Mike Tomlin has not had a losing season as Steelers coach. This is his 17th year.5. The Steelers are 2-1 against the Browns on “Monday Night Football” with both wins coming in Pittsburgh.
Small world: Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi was a third-round pick of the Browns in 2017 and played for them through 2020 … Wide receivers coach Frisman Jackson played for the Browns 2002-05. He also coached receivers at the University of Akron in 2010-11 … Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky was Ohio’s Mr. Football in his senior year at Mentor HS … Tight ends coach Alfredo Roberts held the same job with the Browns in 2007-08.
