The Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers have identical 5-2-0 records and are tied for the AFC North Division lead at almost the halfway point of this 2026 season. Actually, if the season were to end today, the Browns would be declared division winners based on their 27-24 win in Week 4.
A win would give the Browns a 3-0 division record and sole possession of first place in the AFC North, which they have never won. Several Steelers Facebook fan pages are predicting Pittsburgh to run the table
with their remaining games and finish 15-2-0. But it starts with the rubber match against Cleveland.
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Sunday’s game at Pittsburgh is huge. The Cincinnati Bengals are one game behind at 4-2-0 and play the one-win Tennessee Titans. So, a loss by the Browns or Steelers, coupled with a Bengals win over a bad team, will place the entire division into disarray. And the schedule is just half over.
Here are each team’s offensive and defensive rankings:
Offense
Passing
- Browns #24
- Steelers #20
Rushing
- Browns #19
- Steelers #20
Defense
Passing
- Browns #7
- Steelers #11
Rushing
- Browns #20
- Steelers #7
What will it take to win this classic matchup? In the last 10 seasons, the Browns are 0-10 when they play at Pittsburgh in the regular season. They did win the playoff game 48-37 in 2020. The last regular-season game the Browns won was in 2003.
3 reasons the Browns should win against the Steelers
Don’t let Pittsburgh get hot early
The home crowd will become a huge advantage for the Steelers. The Browns’ defense must contain their offense on that first drive and not allow any momentum to happen early in the game. The defense needs to bring an extra man on passing downs since the pass rush just isn’t happening with four defensive linemen. An opening Steelers touchdown will allow the home crowd to elevate the noise level when Cleveland gets their turn, which can lead to a three-and-out, or worse, a turnover. Nothing worse than a 14-point deficit early in the game. Challenge their receivers on the line of scrimmage.
Make second down more manageable
The trick to getting a more manageable second down is to provide positive yardage on first-down plays. Try more short throws or swing passes to the running back. Pittsburgh is good against the run, so the short passing game can set up the few carries that the Browns attempt. By using TE Harold Fannin and RB Quinshon Judkins on short gains, this forces tackling demons such as LB Patrick Queen to have to consistently drop back into coverage instead of supporting the rushing attack. If Cleveland gets stuck in a lot of third-and-long, the outcome will not be favorable. Those Pittsburgh defensive ends, such as T.J. Watt and Keeanu Benton, live for third-and-long.
Denzel Ward vs. D.K. Metcalf
Ward is currently the #1-ranked cornerback in the leagueaccording to Pro Football Focus. Metcalf is ranked #27 on NFL.com in receiving yards (374) and #28 in receptions (32). This is Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers’ go-to guy in the passing game. If Ward can neutralize Metcalf, not bite on the double moves, and keep him to pedestrian numbers in this game, it will force Rodgers to rely on other receivers and his tight end, Pat Friermuth. The Steelers are hurting in the receiver room as Pittsburgh only has Germie Bernard and Kaden Wetjen healthy. Ben Skowronek has been ruled out. They have four receivers on their practice squad, and it is expected that veteran Marquez Valdes-Scantling will be moved up for the Browns contest. Ward will have his work cut out for him as Metcalf is 6’-4” and a beefy 235 pounds. Metcalf’s signature move is an intermediate crossing pattern, and then he steps it up past the post safety when he attempts to cut it. Pittsburgh fans are expecting a huge game out of Metcalf. Ward must be at his best.
3 reasons the Steelers should win against the Browns
Run defense
The Browns just now got their two starting running backs to return to the field, and both Q and Dylan Sampson had an excellent showing last week against the Titans. But the Steelers’ defensive front is not Tennessee’s defensive front seven. They ranked #7 in the league for a reason. A lot is written about Watt, Benton, and Queen, but it is LB Payton Wilson who is balling out and making plays. He is ranked #10 in total tackles with 61 and leads the team almost every week. Queen has 48 total tackles and is a steady force on their defense. Both linebackers have a single sack and not much in terms of pressures and QB hits because the defense relies on its front four to get pressure on the opposing team’s quarterback. Another defender that is a beast is S Jaquan Brisker, who is used in blitz packages and is a good run stopper. Run on Pittsburgh? Guess again.
Keep the run game trend going
The Steelers have found their rushing attack. Last weekend, they rushed for 148 yards. That pairs nicely with the fact that Cleveland is bottom-third in rushing defense. The Browns’ defense shows a lot of aggression that may have to tone it down and stay home, especially on the edge where containment must be maintained. DE Jared Verse is known for leaving the corners open as he attacks the center of the defense. Stay home and force Pittsburgh RB Jaylen Warren to the inside. He runs a 4.55, so he is always looking to hit the edge and then kick into another gear. Warren is ranked #7 in rushing yardage (561), #14 in rushing attempts, has zero fumbles, and has scored a single touchdown. He has rushed for over 100 yards three times this year, including 101 this past weekend. Expect the Steelers to pound the rock early and often.
Pressure Deshaun Watson in the pocket
On passing downs, Watson is averaging 2.4 seconds on average per pocket presence. He has just three throwaway passes in seven games, which is a remarkable stat. In the game against the Titans, Watson showed what he can do if he is given enough time to survey the field to find the open man. He has an excellent on-target ratio of 70.5%, but the majority of those numbers are from the pocket. When Watson was at Clemson University and the pocket collapsed, he would take off with many huge rushing gains. But with Cleveland, after he leaves the pocket, he is still looking downfield to throw and will run if necessary. That is when Watson does the least amount of damage, as evidenced by his 36 bad throws so far. He has endured the fourth-most pressures with 67, so teams are regularly getting near him. The Steelers have the horses to put good pressure on Watson on passing downs, while Cleveland is starting two rookie offensive linemen.
What do you think will decide this Week 8 AFC North matchup between the Browns and Steelers?
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