Steelers vs. Browns: Scouting how Cleveland can win with a Rookie QB in our Q&A with Behind the Steel Curtain

This Sunday, the Cleveland Browns take on the Pittsburgh Steelers. To help preview a few topics from the Steelers’ perspective, we reached out to Jarrett Bailey from Behind the Steel Curtain and exchanged five questions with him.

According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Browns are 1.5-point underdogs against the Steelers.

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Chris: “Pittsburgh ranks 28th on offense, and 28th on defense, but each week, they just seem to find a way to grind out a victory. It’s pretty crazy. Is that formula bound to break? How have they been getting it done?”

Jarrett: “Pittsburgh ranks 28th on offense, and 28th on defense, but each week, they just seem to find a way to grind out a victory. It’s pretty crazy. Is that formula bound to break? How have they been getting it done?

It’s certain not sustainable. Well, let me correct myself- it can be sustainable against teams like the Titans and Packers. You can beat bad teams consistently this way. It’ll get you blown out in January, though, when you go to Kansas City or Miami in the Wildcard round.”

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Chris: “What’s changed with the Steelers injury-wise since these two teams last met?”

Jarrett: “Well, Cam Heyward and Diontae Johnson are both back, which is obviously huge. However, it looks like Minkah Fitzpatrick is trending toward missing his third straight game with a hamstring injury. And both Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander have been lost for the year. Seems that with every step forward the Steelers take, injury wise, they take two steps back.”

Chris: “Who has been the biggest liability on the Steelers’ offensive line?”

Jarrett: “Center Mason Cole has largely been a black hole this season. Consistently blown off blocks and his snaps are often off target. I will say, though, the unit has looked terrific overall the last two weeks, including Cole.”

Chris: “What are Steelers fans thinking about the news that the Browns have to start a rookie quarterback this week?”

Jarrett: “The Steelers have been such a lucky team when it comes to their schedule as of late. A three game homestand featured a rookie quarterback on a bad Titans team and a bad Packers team. Now, it looks like they’ll face Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Jake Browning in consecutive weeks to possibly get to 8-3. Just absurd luck for Pittsburgh.”

Chris: “The Browns are basically a pick’em, but slightly favored to beat the Steelers on Sunday (Browns -1.5 as of this question, per DraftKings Sportsbook). Who would you pick?”

Jarrett: “I’ll take the Steelers in a typical Steelers win. Both offenses will look like XFL teams through three quarters, and then the Steelers will have one drive that will result in a touchdown to seal the deal. 13-9 Steelers is where I’m leaning. ”

Thanks again to Jarrett for taking the time to answer my questions.