The Cleveland Browns’ 38-6 loss at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1 seems far away now. Not only have the Browns racked up four straight wins since their season-opening defeat, but their offense in particular has been rejuvenated, as they have scored 30 points in each of their wins. Cleveland is coming off a 32-23 win over the Indianapolis Colts, one of the best defenses in the NFL.
The Browns' 4-1 start is their best since 1994. Cleveland now heads to Steel City as its offense faces another test in a longtime rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers are 4-0 and also have a stingy defense. There's a bit of bad blood here thanks to the meeting last November that saw Myles Garrett and Mason Rudolph go at it, though Garrett is trying to move past it.
Still, there should be plenty of intensity in this game given the circumstances. Here are four things that could happen when Cleveland visits Heinz Field to take on Piitsburgh.
1. Baker Mayfield (or Case Keenum) has two touchdown passes
Against the Colts in Week 5, Mayfield passed for 247 yards and two touchdowns, completing 21 out of 37 passes. The first overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft also had two interceptions in the second half, which capped off an up-and-down performance.
Mayfield took a hard hit on one of those interceptions, and he was later revealed to have suffered a chest injury that limited him in practice earlier this week. While he has expressed optimism that he can play against the Steelers, Cleveland has added Kyle Lauletta from the practice squad to the team’s lineup, which could mean that backup quarterback Case Keenum could make the start for the Browns against Pittsburgh.
Even if Mayfield doesn't play, the 32-year-old Keenum is a veteran who's familiar with Alex Van Pelt’s offense. With the Steelers being one of the league’s best defenses against the run, expect the Browns to rely more on Mayfield or Keenum despite being the league’s best rushing team.
If there is a seam in the Pittsburgh defense, it's against the pass. The Steelers have given up 237.5 passing yards per game, which ranks just 15th in the NFL. If Mayfield or Keenum can take advantage and find their targets, it bodes well for the Browns' chances of picking up their fifth straight win.
2. Big games from Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry … if they play
With the Browns relying more on their quarterback against the Steelers, wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry are primed for big games … assuming they play. Despite being sent home from practice earlier this week for feeling under the weather, the three-time Pro Bowler has tested negative for COVID-19 and is hoping to be good to go against Pittsburgh.
His best friend and former LSU teammate Jarvis Landry also missed practice due to a rib injury suffered against the Colts. If both wide receivers are able to play, Landry and Beckham could be a frequent target for Mayfield or Keenum, and it wouldn’t be surprising for the five-time Pro Bowler to find the end zone for the first time this season.
3. Myles Garrett makes an impact and has two sacks
After missing the final six games of the 2019 season because of a suspension stemming from his altercation with Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph, Myles Garrett has bounced back nicely and currently has six sacks five games into the season. Garrett trails Los Angeles Rams star Aaron Donald by just 1.5 sacks for the best mark in the league, and he could soon eclipse his personal-best mark of 13.5 sacks that he set two seasons ago.
A big story of this game is the 27-year-old playing in his first game against Rudolph and the Steelers since his suspension, but Garrett remains focused on the task at hand: getting to Ben Roethlisberger, who has been sacked a total of six times this season. The Browns have averaged just 2.4 sacks per game so far this season despite Garrett's individual success, but a motivated Garrett should wreak havoc and help the Browns' defense disrupt Big Ben and the Steelers.
4. The Browns pull out a close win to win their fifth straight
The Browns would have an uphill climb against the Steelers if Mayfield, Beckham, and Landry are unable to play, as all three are listed as questionable for Sunday. Despite the injury to running back Nick Chubb, Cleveland remains the best rushing team in the league thanks to Hunt and D’Ernest Johnson, who have both been playing well. But they will be facing a Steelers defense that allows an average of just 64.0 rushing yards per game, the second-best mark in the league.
If the Browns are to win, they will have to put their faith into the hands of Mayfield or Keenum. But their signal-caller will need his usual targets, and it is important for Beckham, Landry, Higgins, and tight end Austin Hooper to be present and at their best. Their offense is clicking right now under coach Kevin Stefanski, and if their best players are available on the field come Sunday and the defense can disrupt the Steelers’ offense, the Browns could win a close one and rack up their fifth straight win while blemishing Pittsburgh’s immaculate record.
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