Browns vs. Steelers: Week 8 Need to Know

(Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Cleveland Browns hit the road again this week as they take on the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was just four weeks ago that these two teams met in Cleveland, with the Browns picking up an important divisional win. Since then, the Browns have w

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What is the story about?

The Cleveland Browns hit the road again this week as they take on the Pittsburgh Steelers.

It was just four weeks ago that these two teams met in Cleveland, with the Browns picking up an important divisional win. Since then, the Browns have won two of their past three games, while the Steelers have enjoyed a stretch of patsies to build a three-game winning streak.

Sunday’s game is not going to be an easy one for the Browns – you may have heard that they have not won a regular-season game in Pittsburgh

since 2003 – but when is anything ever easy for the guys in the orange helmets.

A win on Sunday and the Browns not only maintain their hold on first place in the AFC North, but it will give them their first season sweep of the Steelers since 1988.

It is the Browns vs. the Steelers in Cleveland’s house of horrors, which is appropriate for Halloween weekend. Here is everything to know about the game.

Game Info

Records: Cleveland is 5-2. Pittsburgh is 5-2.

Kickoff: 1 p.m.

Stadium: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pa.

TV: CBS

Announcers: Kevin Harlan, Trent Green, and Melanie Collins (sideline reporter)

Radio: 850 ESPN Cleveland, 92.3 The Fan WKRK, 98.5 WNCX, 1300 AM La Mega (Español)

Announcers: Andrew Siciliano, Nathan Zegura, and Je’Rod Cherry (sidelines)

Last meeting: The Browns won the last meeting, 27-24, in Week 4 of this season.

First meeting: The Browns won the first meeting, 30-17, on October 10, 1950.

All-time series: Pittsburgh leads the all-time series, 83-66-1. The Browns have lost 22 consecutive regular-season games in Pittsburgh.

Weather: 67 degrees and cloudy, with no chance of rain. Wind from the south/southeast at 5 mph. (weather.com)

Uniform: The Browns are back to looking like a proper NFL team this week with a white jersey paired with orange pants.

Injury report: Browns – Questionable: Cornerback Myles Harden (hamstring), offensive tackle Tytus Howard (concussion), and safety Daniel Thomas (ankle). Steelers – Out: Cornerback Brandin Echols (hamstring) and defensive back Doneiko Slaughter (hamstring). Questionable: Wide receiver Ben Skowronek (calf).

The line: Browns +3.5 points, with an over/under of 39.5 points, per FanDuel.

News & Notes

In Week 4, Cleveland’s defense had five sacks and two interceptions of Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Cleveland’s defense is ranked No. 7 in red zone defense, while the Steelers are just No. 27 in red zone scoring.
The Browns played man coverage on 61 percent of pass plays in the first game against the Steelers.
The Steelers are ranked No. 24 in total EPA against man coverage (-5.16) and No. 27 in total pass EPA (-2.91), according to The Athletic.
Cleveland’s defense has allowed an opening-drive score in six of their seven games.
Deshaun Watson threw for 308 yards in Week 7, his first 300-yard passing game as a member of the Browns.
The Browns rushed for a season-high in yards (183) and rushing touchdowns (three) in the Week 7 win over Tennessee.
In their last five games, the Steelers are No. 5 in third-down conversions (44.8 percent), No. 1 one in rushing yards per carry (5.1) and No. 8 in points per game (26), according to The Athletic.
Cleveland’s defense is No. 5 in pressure rate (40 percent) and No. 6 in sacks (20), according to The Athletic.
Pittsburgh running back Jaylen Warren is No. 4 in the league with 855 yards from scrimmage.
Cleveland’s defense is No. 1 in the league in tackles for loss (46).
The Steelers have one rushing touchdown on the season.
Sunday’s game will be just the fifth time since 1999 that the Browns and Steelers have played a game where both teams have a winning record.

A Final Quote

Cleveland defensive end Jared Verse on the plan for Sunday’s game:

“I’m not worried about Cam (Heyward). I’m not worried about their O-line. I’m not worried about nobody they got on their team. We out there to go dominate. About to make Pittsburgh ours on Sunday.”