The bye week was great for the Pittsburgh Steelers after not getting one last season. But now it is time to get back to work and prepare to take on the Cleveland Browns. The Browns have been up and down this season, much like Pittsburgh which makes this game even more important for a Steelers team still looking for a playoff spot. Here are our early causes for concern against Cleveland this week.
Blocking Myles Garrett
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If there is another defensive edge rusher on par with the Steelers T.J. Watt it’s Cleveland’s Myles Garrett. And just like other teams have to figure out creative ways to slow Watt down, Pittsburgh is going to have to do the same with Garrett.
Slowing down the Browns run game
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It doesn’t matter who is running the ball for the Browns, that offensive line will make them a star. In the Steelers last game, they made two Seattle backup running backs look like All-Pros with a very average offensive line blocking for them.
Cleveland's starting quarterback
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Right now we don’t know if it is going to be Case Keenum or Baker Mayfield under center for the Browns but either way, Pittsburgh cannot take them for granted. If Keenum plays, he’s shown he has a mastery of the Browns offense and if Mayfield plays the defense cannot assume he’s going to be limited by injury.
Losing all that sweet momentum
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The Steelers went into the bye riding a two-game winning streak and honestly the bye couldn’t have come at a worse time. The offense was finally getting some traction in terms of running the football and now we will have to see how long it takes the team to get back up to speed.
Generating yards against Browns defense
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
The Browns defense is currently No. 2 in the NFL in yards allowed. This includes being No. 3 against the run and No. 7 against the pass. The Steelers offense is still feeling around in the dark as to how what kind of offense they want to be and have to contend with this physical athletic group. Offensive coordinator Matt Canada has had an extra week to study this group and hopefully have some answers.
