Game preview: Week 2, Steelers at Browns
Posted September 14th, 2008 by Dan
Game time: 8:30
Station: NBC
Where: Cleveland Browns Stadium
For the Browns, last week's game against Dallas was a complete disaster. For the Steelers, last week's game against Houston was spectacular. Oh well. That's why the cliche, "one game at a time" is around.
When Cleveland has the ball: The Steelers have traditionally been a good run-stopping team, so whatever success the Browns have today could have to come through the air. That means Braylon Edwards will have to have a much better game this week. Once again, Kellen Winslow will be the key factor for the offense. When he was making catches in the first half against Dallas, the offense was moving some. In the second half, when he only caught one pass, the offense was awful.
As the team forces Pittsburgh's linebackers to drop into coverage, it will open up the running game for Jamal Lewis.
When Pittsburgh has the ball: Much like the Cowboys last week, the Steelers have a pretty balanced offense. Fortunately for the Browns, their players aren't as talented, outside of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. This is the kind of game where outside linebacker Kamerion Wimbley needs to excel. It's been proven if pressure can be put on Roethlisberger in the pocket, he can get in trouble. However, he is a threat to run, so the pressure has to be contained.
The Browns could have some trouble with deep coverage now that Sean Jones is out. Look for the Steelers to go deep to Santonio Holmes, particularly if Brandon McDonald is covering him.
Key matchup: Steelers tight end Heath Miller against the Browns outside linebackers. If either Wimbley or Willie McGinest are forced to cover Miller one-on-one, it will neutralize any pass rush the Browns may have.
What Cleveland absolutely has to do to win: Keep feeding the ball to Winslow. Pittsburgh has talent on defense, but no one quite good enough to match up with Winslow. If he doesn't have at least seven or eight catches, it could be a problem. Edwards is an unknown still, as is Lewis' health. Joshua Cribbs is supposed to be back today, as well, so he'll need to set the team up with good field position.
The spread: The Browns are a 6-point underdog and the over/under is 44.5
The prediction: Pittsburgh 24, Cleveland 17
Hopefully the Browns will look better this week, but the Steelers just seem too talented.
Also see:
Beacon Journal: Browns-Steelers: Five things to watch
Beacon Journal: Anderson faces ultimate hurdle
Plain Dealer: Can Browns erase black and gold nightmare?
Post Gazette: Steelers may not own Browns, but they've got one heck of a lease on their Turnpike neighbors
