Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers - Positional Breakdown
by Chris Pokorny on Dec 8, 2011 1:44 PM EST
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Tonight, the Cleveland Browns have their lone prime time game of the season when they take on their biggest rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers, on Thursday Night Football. This will be the first time these two teams meet this season, but expectations can't be high for Browns fans after seeing how poorly the team did against the Baltimore Ravens just five days ago. As we'll see in the positional review too, the Browns just don't stack up very well against their divisional foes...
Position-by-Position Breakdown
| Pos | Adv | Reason |
| QB |  |
With the exception of one game, Ben Roethlisberger always seems to find a way to make it painful for Browns fans to watch games between these two teams. Cleveland's defensive line features more speed this year, so in an ideal world, that would create some problems for Roethlisberger. We've also seen our line overpursue and allow big plays (such as screen passes), which Pittsburgh will surely try to exploit. Colt McCoy has to find a compromise between getting the ball down the field more often while also staying away from the interceptions into double coverage. |
| RB | |
I still don't consider Rashard Mendenhall an elite back, but when you look at everyone the Steelers have at this position, it's sort of what the Browns aimed for in terms of depth. The Steelers have a healthy three-back system at their disposal with Mendenhall, Mewelde Moore, and Isaac Redman. Cleveland, meanwhile, has Peyton Hillis coming off a hip strain, Montario Hardesty, who hasn't really played in a couple of months, and Chris Ogbonnaya. I expect Hillis to be fine, but the commitment to the run is lacking against superior opponents. |
| WR | |
Even though Jordan Norwood did some good things two weeks ago, the past two weeks have really shown what a liability the Browns' receiving unit is (as if it wasn't obvious enough before). McCoy actually made some good throws last week, but more drops plagued the offense. The Steelers don't have that concern, as their non-first round draft pick receivers, Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown, play very well to Roethlisberger's strengths. |
| OL |  |
I couldn't bare to look at a clean sweep, position-wise, for Pittsburgh. To be fair, though, the offensive line remains the Steelers' weakest position on the team. Roethlisberger gets sacked very often, but he is able to make up for it by getting out of the pocket to extend plays. I thought the Browns' offensive line continued to play "okay" last week against Baltimore, despite the final outcome. |
| DL | |
It's the same old story for Pittsburgh up front: Casey Hampton, Brett Keisel, and Ziggy Hood. They are able to clog the line of scrimmage long enough for the linebackers to work their magic. Cleveland's defensive line is able to make some plays when they need a pass rush, but the gaping holes that running backs are having the past couple of weeks makes it difficult for the defensive backs to confidently cover knowing they might need to come up to support against the run. |
| LB | |
We have to be worried that James Harrison and the Steelers linebackers (not including LaMar Woodley, who is expected to be out) are going to rip through our offensive line or blow up our receivers across the middle or in the flat. I didn't have time to evaluate Kaluka Maiava's performance last week, but the numbers that the Ravens put up on the ground had to make you wonder how much the loss of Scott Fujita had to do with that. |
| DB | |
Cleveland top-ranked pass defense, statistically, is not an indicator that the unit is impossible to pass against. The Steelers' pass defense is ranked second in the league, with Ike Taylor and William Gay manning the corner positions. The safeties, Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark, are the tandem that give the Steelers a clear advantage here. Mike Adams and Usama Young aren't anywhere near the level of play those guys have. |
| ST | |
The Browns have gone from a great special teams unit to really only having Phil Dawson be a reliable player. The coverage units have yielded multiple touchdowns this year, particularly on punts, where they are ranked 26th. Joshua Cribbs can't muster anything in the return game, where as the Steelers' Antonio Brown has made an impact this year. |
The Steelers blew out the Bengals last week after Cincinnati made an array of mistakes. Cleveland might not make mistakes, but it's hard to imagine them making plays either. Unless the receivers start catching every pass that comes their way, drives will stall and Pittsburgh will march down the field for enough scores to put the game away. In fact, I'll go with an outcome that is the same as the Ravens game.
FINAL PREDICTION: Pittsburgh Steelers 24, Cleveland Browns 10
CHRIS' OVERALL NFL PREDICTIONS RECORD: Check back next week
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It pains me to see 3rd round pick Mike Wallace play when we picked 2 WRs in the second round of the same draft. Oh well, I am sure that would not have happened under Heckert.
Change isn't good or bad it just "is". Don Draper of Madmen
Dominos is doing 50% off pizzas today, so go grab some pizza for the game.
Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.
Trap Game!!! Yes, I am that crazy! Browns steal this game with defense that stops run and Hillis going wild. Will someone wake me up?
Does Cribbs run back a punt AND a kickoff for TD’s?
by SBP on Dec 8, 2011 3:37 PM EST up reply actions
Hillis will only go wild if they actually hand the ball to him. Hillis has the ability, but I have little faith in the coaches to give him the carries he needs to get the job done.
"Tracers work both ways" ~US Army Ordnance
Just because he feels pressure to do so doesn’t mean he has the know-how. His lack of faith in Hillis thus far has been troubling.
"Tracers work both ways" ~US Army Ordnance
Think you are right. I was so discouraged when we took the opening drive to the 39 and on third and 2 Pat all of a sudden forgot that Peyton was gouging Baltimore. He should have said this is 4 down territory, and challenge Petyon to pick it up. Instead, shotgun fromation pass, punt from the 39 yard line. Terrible way for Pat to demonstrate faith in Hillis, the OL, and the team.
Change isn't good or bad it just "is". Don Draper of Madmen
His lack of faith in Hillis thus far has beentroublingdisturbing.
"Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened."
— Winston S. Churchill
I have the best wife - ever.
by JustBob on Dec 8, 2011 5:02 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
I couldn’t bear to look at a clean sweep, position-wise, for Pittsburgh.
Much appreciated, Chris. My pessimism is ascendent enough as is….
In Cribbs, Dawson and Thomas we trust. All others must pay in Ws.
by RelapsingDawgCatcher on Dec 8, 2011 3:48 PM EST reply actions
We have to remember that is not our OL vs. their OL in matchups – it is our DL vs. their OL (etc) and we have a clear advantage there. I think we actually match up a lil better with the Steelers – put Haden on Wallace – dial up the pressure on Ben and hope. Phil Taylor has to show up and give some motor to keep us from getting killed on the run.
Change isn't good or bad it just "is". Don Draper of Madmen
Here’s hoping!
In Cribbs, Dawson and Thomas we trust. All others must pay in Ws.
by RelapsingDawgCatcher on Dec 8, 2011 4:41 PM EST up reply actions
bleep you Mendenhall, I'm a true American
Brad James
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With Coach Zorro on our side, we will slice opponents to ribbons. Tim Tebow gives me hope and I already have faith and charity in my heart! I see a propitious future rife with Lombardis for our Broncos!
by the new Bradfather on Dec 8, 2011 5:01 PM EST up reply actions
We’re gonna get molested worse than that poor Bengal player. I don’t know whether to get some junk food for the game or just skip it and by a liter of Svedka.
Dawgs By Nature: Holy Joe Thomas we suck
Why make a hard decision when you could do both?
In Cribbs, Dawson and Thomas we trust. All others must pay in Ws.
by RelapsingDawgCatcher on Dec 8, 2011 4:41 PM EST up reply actions
If I don’t eat anything than the vodka will take less time to kill the pain. And there will be pain.
Dawgs By Nature: Holy Joe Thomas we suck
Good point. Drink early and often.
In Cribbs, Dawson and Thomas we trust. All others must pay in Ws.
by RelapsingDawgCatcher on Dec 8, 2011 7:01 PM EST up reply actions
Ouch. If I was betting I truly think the odds of Pitt scoring on D is greater.
Change isn't good or bad it just "is". Don Draper of Madmen
Never tell me the odds.
"Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened."
— Winston S. Churchill
I have the best wife - ever.
by JustBob on Dec 8, 2011 5:06 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Beat the Squealers
I’ll join you guys tonight, if that’s OK! I’ve got to cheer for my boy Colt McCoy!
Brad James
Follow me on Twitter
With Coach Zorro on our side, we will slice opponents to ribbons. Tim Tebow gives me hope and I already have faith and charity in my heart! I see a propitious future rife with Lombardis for our Broncos!
by the new Bradfather on Dec 8, 2011 5:00 PM EST reply actions
If we can only have one win against Pittsburgh this year (though I would gladly take two) then let it be the last one. A season ending spanktacular, if you will.
"Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened."
— Winston S. Churchill
I have the best wife - ever.
Yeah, but only if you have DirectF!_$#@ngTV. Dammit.
That was my understanding.
by burntorangeandbrown on Dec 8, 2011 5:30 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, but for some reason I have a feeling the stream is going to be pretty choppy tonight.
That was my understanding.
by burntorangeandbrown on Dec 8, 2011 6:32 PM EST up reply actions
I get it on Dish.
XBL - TheRabbit087. Get at me.
by SpecialBrownie on Dec 9, 2011 11:47 PM EST up reply actions
I’m going to miss some of the game. We’re also going to lose. Badly.
Clemson Tigers 2011 ACC Champions!
"That's why Carolina's in Chapel Hill and USC's in California and the University in this state always has been and always will be Clemson . . . You can print that, tweet that, whatever." -Dabo Swinney
FYI, first official game thread is set to go live at 6:00 PM EST.
Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.
Oh Lord, please prepare the Steelers for the ass-whoopin’ they are about to receive.
Amen.
by shep615 on Dec 8, 2011 5:47 PM EST reply actions 6 recs
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