Behind the Steel Curtain
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns will square off in Week 6 in what will be the Steelers’ first divisional game of the season. Will Pittsburgh get to 4-1 for the first time since 2016? Our staff gives our predictions.
Ryan Parish: The Steelers have hopefully used the bye week to get healthier, even if players like Jalen Ramsey and Calvin Austin will still miss time. The Browns have traded away Joe Flacco and Greg Newsome, are trotting out a rookie quarterback who struggles to stretch the field vertically, and are facing the Steelers immediately after an international game without the benefit of a bye like the Steelers got after the Dublin game. Mike Tomlin is 26-6 all-time against rookie quarterbacks and 14-4 following a bye week. I’ll take the Steelers winning 27-20.
Ryland Bickley: The Browns’ defense is better than their record suggests, and the Quinshon Judkins-led ground game showed off some real potential last week against the Vikings. Still, I think the Steelers have the talent, especially on the front seven, to overcome the 1-4 Browns at home. The Steelers should be rested and prepared coming off the bye week, and the Browns haven’t won a regular season game in Pittsburgh since 2003. It won’t be a big win — this is the NFL — but I’m confident the Steelers beat the Browns. I’ll take Pittsburgh 20-17.
Mike Nicastro: The last few weeks have reminded us all that there are no “layups” in the NFL. The Giants just eviscerated the Eagles as a 7.5-point underdog. The Steelers are currently 5.5-point favorites against a feisty Browns team looking to spring an upset. Quinshon Judkins passes the eye test early on, and rookie QB Dillon Gabriel, although vertically challenged, doesn’t appear to be too small for the moment.
I think the biggest keys are the Steelers playing at home, rest, and improved health. Old farts like Aaron Rodgers, TJ Watt, and Cam Heyward were able to take a deep breath, and it appears Alex Highsmith, Joey Porter Jr., and Jaylen Warren are all set to return. It won’t be easy, but the black and gold win and cover. Steelers 20, Browns 13
Joey Bray: Ryan did a great job highlighting that as good as Mike Tomlin is after the bye, he might be even better against rookie quarterbacks. The Steelers seem to be hitting their stride and are a little bit healthier after the bye. Everything about this game suggests that the Steelers should be able to take care of business, but divisional games in the NFL are never easy.
The Browns’ defense is top five against the run and pass, and their run game has looked solid with Quinshon Judkins joining the lineup. However, I think this Steelers team is too experienced to drop a game to a rebuilding Browns team. I think it will be closer than many would like, but the Steelers should come out of this game 4-1. Steelers 24, Browns 20
Jarrett Bailey: The Browns’...
