Previewing the NFL Playoffs
2. 3) Pittsburgh Steelers vs. 6) Cleveland Browns
The Steelers face off against division rival Cleveland for the third time this season to cap off Wildcard Weekend on Sunday night.
At first glance this doesn’t have the makings of an interesting game. The Steelers demolished the Browns, 38-7, back in week 5. Then in week 17, Pittsburgh almost came out victorious despite resting QB Ben Roethlisberger and other key players. Also, it feels like since the beginning of the NFL, really, since the beginning of mankind, the Steelers have been beating up on the Browns.
In fact, according to Pro-Football Reference, since the turn of the century, the Steelers have beaten the Browns 36 out of 44 times. That means that the Browns have won eight games over the Steelers during the past twenty years. Well, it’s even less than eight because one of those games resulted in a tie, so The Browns have beaten the Steelers seven times in the past 20 years! They play against each other twice a year for crying out loud!
With history at their side, all signs are pointing to a Steelers victory on Sunday. Browns fans will tell themselves: “Hey, at least we made the playoffs. Plus, we’re no longer the laughingstocks of the NFL.” Well, for now at least Browns fans. However, as every football fan knows, this game is very unpredictable.
After starting 11-0, the Steelers have lost 4 of their last five games, and if not for a miraculous comeback agains the Colts, would be five straight losses.
Over the past five weeks, Big Ben hasn’t played well. Add that to Pittsburgh’s lackluster running game, ranked dead last in rushing yards per game according to ESPN, and Pittsburgh might be in for some trouble against the Browns.
As for Cleveland, they have won six on their last eight games and Baker Mayfield has been playing the best football of his career. The Browns will look to slow the game down with the best rushing attack in the league featuring the two headed monster of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.
Now is it more likely the Steelers beat the Browns in an ugly-low scoring game that nobody asked for to be the Sunday nighter? Probably; but with the Browns running game and Baker Mayfield’s improved performance, don’t be surprised if Cleveland wins their first postseason game since 1994. Crazier things have happened.