Steelers Pregame Primer: Keys to Victory, Prediction vs. Browns

PITTSBURGH — There’s a lot riding on the Pittsburgh Steelers potential redemption game, as they look to get the taste of their 30-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers out of their mouths, but they have a big test in front of them again in the form of a divisional opponent that’s playing well — the Cleveland Browns.

The Browns dominated the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1, shutting down Joe Burrow and company completely, and could separate themselves from the Steelers and Bengals by two games in the division.

Gameday: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns, 8:15 p.m.

KEY TO VICTORY: Slow Down Nick Chubb

Really pretty obvious stuff here, but it takes on added importance when you look at the Steelers situation. They couldn’t stop Christian McCaffrey last week. They lost top interior run defender Cam Heyward.

Up ahead on the schedule are run-heavy teams like the Las Vegas Raiders, Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans — all of which figure to come before Heyward returns from core muscle surgery. They have to find a way to stop the run without him for the big picture, and not just to beat the Browns.

That’s why I said slow down and not just stop. If they can keep Chubb from taking the game over the way McCaffrey did, it’s a strong step in the right direction.

OVERLOOKED MATCHUP: David Njoku vs. Whoever Covers Him

Of his heavily faced opponents, David Njoku has averaged 8.7 yards per target against the Cincinnati Bengals, 7.9 yards per target against the Baltimore Ravens and 6.9 yards per target against the Steelers.

That lack of production has mostly come against Steelers strong safety Terrell Edmunds. Now that he’s gone, who will draw the Njoku assignment, and will they be able to minimize the athletic tight end the way Edmunds did?

BOLD PREDICTION: T.J. Watt Wrecks Things

The matchup between T.J. Watt and rookie tackle Dawand Jones should tilt heavily in the Steelers’ favor, and Watt has a way of elevating him game when his team needs it most. With no Heyward, that time is now. Watt will create multiple turnover-worthy plays in this one, and pull away from James Harrison for the all-time sack mark.

PREDICTION

Steelers 20, Browns 17

(0-1 on winners this season)

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