Pittsburgh Steelers Week 8 Preview: On a Roll

With three straight victories the Pittsburgh Steelers return home after winning two games on the road in Tampa and in France which technically is a road game that if not played overseas would have been in New Orleans. The last time the Steelers and the Cleveland Browns played earlier this season it was on Thursday Night Football. This is a night the Black and Gold just can not seem to find a way to win. Especially when it is in Cleveland.

So now we have the rematch but for Mike McCarthy’s team, the Steelers had to prove they could win a road game. They just didn’t accomplish that with one big win in Tampa; they repeated it a few days later. Now they head into the halfway mark of the season full of confidence and in a rhythm.

Looking back at the Paris game, while the score was only 16-10 there may be Steelers fans crying for more points in that game. But Steelers Nation must believe that a win is a win. It may have been against a 2-4 Saints team, but still…my new theme for this year’s version of the Steelers is “bend but don’t break.” Credit to Tyler Shough who was very impressive. His accuracy for most of the game was uncanny. He made some big throws at opportune times. But as said just before, the Steelers defense may have bent but they certainly did not break.

As for Pittsburgh and their offense, sure they only scored one touchdown. But they controlled this game with nearly a five-minute time of possession lead on the game clock. Aaron Rodgers managed the offense like the future hall of famer he is. I believe he has once and for all proved that age is not a factor and that his experience and knowledge of the game is a huge advantage for the Steelers.

As for Jaylen Warren, the dude is a beast. 101 yards rushing and a 5.6 yards per carry average plus three receptions for 36 yards one of which went for 26 yards. When running the ball, he had a 29-yard romp. But Rico Dowdle is back from injury and once he gets fully warmed up … look out. Facing New Orleans, he ran the ball nine times for a 4.6 per carry average. Then there was that one big running play by the old man himself. Just when he needed a crucial first down, Rodgers scrambled for eight yards and a first down

 When throwing the ball, Aaron Rodgers once again made use of all his weapons. Seven different receivers were thrown to with Dowdle getting the most catches hauling in six. The rest of the weaponry were DK Metcalf, Warren, Germie Bernard, Brandon Smith, Pat Freiermuth, and Darnell Washington who made a spectacular grab for a touchdown.

Speaking of Brandon Smith, he got a free trip to Paris due to the wide receiver injuries Pittsburgh is up against. He made a dumb penalty in the game but came back to make two catches one of them in the second half that helped Pittsburgh head for a victory. I have no problem with the lack of scoring as long as the offense can keep an opposing defense off the field and operate like a well-oiled machine like they have been doing for three straight games. 

Defensively, just wow. Impressive. Pittsburgh is beginning to put it all together. This they are doing without Derrick Harmon and DeShon Elliott. How the Steelers have been playing shows they can hang with any team in the NFL. 

WHEN THE BROWNS HAVE THE BALL

Most people believed at this point in the season, Deshaun Watson would have been relegated to the bench and Shadeur Sanders would be under center. But Watson fooled everyone and has played well. He has thrown just three interceptions and has a passer rating of 90.6. Denzel Boston is having a phenomenal season as a rookie and is Cleveland’s leading receiver in yards gained with 372. 

When the Steelers lost to Cleveland this season it was Boston and another rookie KC Concepcion who Pittsburgh’s defense could not find an answer for. On the ground however, the Browns are not much of a threat with Quinshon Judkins leading the rushing attack with just a per game average of 45 yards. Deshaun Watson is second in rushing so that tells you something. Expect Watson to come out throwing just as he did in the first meeting. This time, however, I believe the Steelers will be ready. I think Patrick Graham’s defense is going to dial up more pressure and they will certainly be stuffing the run. 

WHEN THE STEELERS HAVE THE BALL

If Aaron Rodgers and company can simply keep on clicking on all cylinders as they have been doing, they will be in great shape in the rematch. This combination of Warren and Dowdle is going to prove to be lethal. To think that is just the running game, there are still the air corps for opponents to be concerned with. Rodgers is playing superbly and without Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson.

You can count on the Steelers to open with a dose of Warren and Dowdle in an effort to loosen up Cleveland’s secondary but do not be surprised if Rodgers goes long on the first play. Jared Verse was dissing Pittsburgh’s offense in Cleveland’s victory earlier but he should be aware that the Steelers offensive line has taken notice of that and there is revenge in the air.

INTANGIBLES

Playing at home doesn’t always mean home field advantage anymore but given the importance of this game, I’m confident Mike McCarthy is going to send the message to his team that they should treat this as a playoff game. It is for sole possession of first place and being it is a bitter rival and a key divisional game, I believe the Steelers players on both sides of the ball are going to be fired up. I’d say keep a close eye on T.J. Watt. I predict he has a noticeably big game. This and the crowd should be a major factor knowing what is in front of them.

PREDICTION