All the talk about replacing Mike Tomlin has been silenced by three straight Steelers wins. They're on the brink of their eighth AFC North title in Tomlins' 19 years.
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns and NFL analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Browns v. Pittsburgh Steelers
Sunday, 1 p.m., in Huntington Bank Field
Record: 9-6.
Last game: Defeated Detroit Lions, 29-24, December 21, in Detroit.
Coach: Mike Tomlin, 192-113-2, 19th year.
Series record: Steelers lead, 83-64-1 (counting postseason).
Last meeting: Steelers won, 23-9, October 12, in Pittsburgh.
League rankings: Offense is 27th overall (26th rushing, 21st passing), defense is 28th overall (15th rushing, 30th passing), and turnover differential is plus-9.
Things to watch
1. If the Ravens lose to Green Bay on Saturday, it would clinch the AFC North title for the Steelers and Sunday’s game against the Browns would mean nothing to Pittsburgh. In that case, Tomlin said “it may” affect playing time for regulars. Tomlin’s history would be to start his regulars and play them for about a half. Aaron Rodgers has said he definitely intends to play even if the division is clinched on Saturday.
2. DK Metcalf, Rodgers’ No. 1 receiver, will not play after being suspended two games by the NFL for "initiating a physical confrontation with a fan" in the stands in Ford Field. Metcalf has appealed the suspension.
3. Rodgers has never looked better in a Steelers uniform. He’s had two of his highest passing totals in the last three games and hasn’t thrown an interception in five games. The Steelers have scored points on 14 of their last 29 possessions, including 10 touchdowns. In the month of December, he's 45-18, including 20-3 in last 23 starts. His only losses were with the Jets last year.
4. Edge rusher T.J. Watt’s status is still unclear. Watt has missed the last two games after suffering a punctured lung as a result of using dry needling technique. He probably wouldn’t play if the Steelers clinch the division on Saturday.
5. Running back Kenneth Gainwell has been a revelation in the Steelers’ offense. Still regarded as RB2 behind Jaylen Warren, Gainwell had 128 yards and one touchdown rushing and receiving in the big win over Detroit. He leads the Steelers with 62 receptions.
6. The Steelers believe their secondary is in the best shape in many years. They have three good cornerbacks now in Joey Porter Jr., James Pierre and Assante Samuel, and they’ve moved Jalen Ramsey to free safety to pair with in-season acquisition Kyle Dugger. The Steelers are fourth with 43 sacks, tied for third with 103 quarterback hits, and are tied for 11th with 12 interceptions.
Did you know … ?
1. Pittsburgh’s victory in Detroit secured the 19th consecutive non-losing season under coach Mike Tomlin. That matches the mark set by Bill Belichick with the Patriots.
2. Two key defensive players who missed the Detroit game – cornerback James Pierre and linebacker Nick Herbig – will be limited early in the week but are expected to play Sunday.
3. Rodgers is 4-0 against the Browns, including a 23-9 win in the first meeting in Pittsburgh.
4. Rodgers likes to spread the ball around in the pass game. Aside from Gainwell (62 receptions) and Metcalf (59), five different pass catchers have at least 28 receptions.
5. Kicker Chris Boswell shockingly missed a 37-yard field goal in Detroit after making one previously from 57 yards. Boswell is 23 of 27 overall and 8 of 9 from 50+ yards.
Small world: Safety Jabril Peppers was a first-round draft choice of the Browns in 2017 and played through 2018 … tight ends coach Alfredo Roberts held the same position with the Browns in 2007-08 … quarterbacks coach Tom Arth is a Cleveland native and coached at John Carroll and Akron.