The Pittsburgh Steelers have become the team to beat in the AFC North. This is especially impressive because it was widely considered the toughest division in the league heading into this season. The Baltimore Ravens have received most of the nation’s attention as their quarterback, Lamar Jackson, is making a case for his third MVP Award. The Steelers took care of the Ravens 18-16 in their Week 11 matchup and are now looking ahead to the Cleveland Browns.

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Steelers’ TJ Watt and Patrick Queen.

The Browns have not played as well as expected this season. They had one of the best defenses in the league in 2023, and most felt they were only missing their quarterback, Deshaun Watson, who suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. His return gave them high hopes for this season, but the Browns started the 2024 campaign 1-6 with him at the helm. Being the Browns starting quarterback is apparently not meant to be for Watson as he once again suffered a season-ending injury, this one an Achilles tear.

Jameis Winston is their backup quarterback, and the Browns say they are ready to face the Steelers this week. After all, those divisional wins taste just a little sweeter than other wins, especially if they get to be the team that knocks the 8-2 Steelers down a notch. Browns running back Nick Chubb spoke with the media ahead of the game and said this game is one they really want to win.

“Hopefully, it would help some, but we dug ourselves in the hole here, so any win will help, but definitely just for the city of Cleveland, we definitely would like to get this one,” said Chubb.

The Browns have not fared well against the Steelers over the years. They have played each other 145 times (including three postseason games) since their first matchup in 1950. The Steelers own the winning record at 81-63-1. However, in recent years, the Browns have had the Steelers’ number in Cleveland. Since 2018, Pittsburgh is 1-4-1 when they cross over the state line.

In his most recent press conference, Head Coach Mike Tomlin even acknowledged that the “environmental component has our attention.” There is a lot made about “trap games,” and the Browns represent the ultimate one for Pittsburgh. They have to be hoping that having Russell Wilson as their quarterback will be a difference-maker. Most of their losses in Ohio came with Mason Rudolph, Kenny Pickett, or Mitch Trubisky under center. Wilson’s record against the Browns in Cleveland is 3-0.

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Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett hits former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph with his own helmet after an on-field scuffle.

The Steelers are used to extremely aggressive, physical games against the Browns. There is a level of hate between these two teams that has only been fueled by incidents like the Rudolph – Myles Garrett helmet fight. They had to work to control their emotions against the Ravens to find success and they need to do something similar against the Browns.

Steelers Are Just Another Game For Nick Chubb

This will be the first time Chubb has played the Steelers since his brutal knee injury occurred during Week 2 last season. The Browns were playing the Steelers at Acrisure Stadium and were driving down the field. Chubb is powerful and was already pulling a defender behind him when safety Minkah Fitzpatrick tackled him. The combined hit caused his leg to contort and resulted in an injury.

The hit was a clean one—Chubb even said so later—but that didn’t stop Browns fans from launching an online campaign against Fitzpatrick, calling him a “dirty player.” The injury was just an unfortunate occurrence that can occur in the ultra-physical games of the AFC North.

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Browns’ Nick Chubb suffered an unfortunate knee injury in 2023.

In the same interview, Chubb told the reporters that he isn’t worrying about that injury ahead of this game. He said he is approaching this the same way he approaches every game. He is a passionate player who is hoping to make his mark against an excellent football team. Chubb said it is just a normal game, and he won’t be distracted.