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Week 17 action will definitely be a show. Huge stakes are on the line for the Cleveland Browns as they go up against the division rival Pittsburgh Steelers in the last regular-season game of their 2020 NFL campaign. The Browns were expected by many to cruise to an easy victory against the lowly New York Jets in Week 16. However, the majority of the team's receiving corps was forced to be ruled out of the game after being identified as close contacts for COVID-19.
Without weapons on the offensive end, the Browns fell in a deep hole against the Jets in the first half. Baker Mayfield and company attempted to rally in the second half but eventually ran out of time to successfully mount a comeback in the final frame. The Browns were dealt with a 23-16 loss which puts their postseason hopes in jeopardy with a 10-5 record and thus making their Week 17 game a must-win tilt for them.
On the other hand, the Steelers looked like they were on their way to another sorry defeat in Week 16 against the Indianapolis Colts. However, they somehow managed to find luck on their side as they overcame a huge 24-7 lead by their opponents in the second half. By way of a 14-point outburst in the fourth quarter, the Steelers went on to snag a narrow 28-24 victory and eventually notched their first AFC North divisional title since 2017.
After successfully ending their three-game losing skid and holding a 12-3 record, the Steelers were able to afford to give quarterback Ben Roethlisberger a week's worth of rest before heading to the playoffs.
Here are four predictions for the Week 17 tilt between the Browns and the Steelers from the Ohio-based squad's standpoint.
1. Baker Mayfield bounces back from dismal effort vs Jets
Quarterback Baker Mayfield didn't have the best of performances versus the Jets without any reliable options to pass the ball to. He was inefficient under center and only threw for 285 passing yards on 28-of-53 passes completed along with four sacks.
With the aerial attack becoming virtually non-existent in the game, Mayfield relied on the team's rushing duo of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. The former ran 28 yards on 11 carries and a scored touchdown while the latter added 11 yards on four touches and a rushing drive on the endzone.
The contributions from both Chubb and Hunt managed to somehow keep the game close but it still wasn't enough to grab the win for the Browns. Mayfield will attempt to avenge his subpar performance under center and ensure that his team gets to win the all-important game this time around.
2. Returning Browns receiver will score a touchdown
The wideout group consisting of Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and KhaDarel Hodge all sat out against the Jets as they needed to be quarantined after being tagged as COVID-19 close contacts. They already tested negative for the virus and are expected to come off the team's COVID-19/reserve list in time for Sunday's matchup.
Their Week 16 could've seen a different outcome for the Browns if all of them got to suit up against a Jets squad that is not known for its defense. All players from Landry down to Hodge are capable of contributing a touchdown for the Browns. With the tough loss already behind them, the returning receivers are expected to step up and make up for the lost time to make sure that Mayfield's passes will finally result in a score on the endzone this time around.
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3. Myles Garrett will tally a sack against Mason Rudolph
An underlying storyline in the game will be Mason Rudolph slotting in as a starter in lieu of Roethlisberger on Sunday. It will be the first encounter between him and Browns defensive end Myles Garrett over a year after their in-game altercation in Week 11 of last season.
On the field, the former Texas A&M product has already gained momentum leading to the matchup after tallying a sack in four out of their last five games. Through 13 games played, Garrett has already amassed 12 total sacks which ranked sixth-best in the league. Facing his former tormentor in Rudolph can serve as a huge motivation for Garrett to ball out especially in a knockout game.
4. Browns gain wire-to-wire victory and make the playoffs
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has already done a marvelous job in leading the team to improve all throughout the season. In fact, the Browns are already looking like a playoff-bound team after their bye in Week 9 but their recent fall from grace against the Jets abruptly placed them in a shaky situation.
With no one else to blame for their misfortunes caused by the pandemic, the Browns are only left with no other choice but to swallow the pill and carry on. However, the game won't simply be a cakewalk for the Browns even as their division rivals have already secured their seat in the postseason without their starting quarterback in sight.
On the flip side, the Steelers may possibly see their performance regress due to the second-stringers on the field but they are still expected to give the Browns a handful and make them earn their spot in the playoffs.
The Browns are certainly in for a tough matchup that will put them to test and it would be a shame for the team if they lost out on their playoff aspirations in the final game of the season. With backs already against the wall, the team is expected to come out with a tightly-contested victory and successfully end their 18-year playoff drought on Sunday.
For Stefanski and the Browns, it's not only about snagging a postseason seat but also letting the league know that they can get the job done especially in a high-pressure situation, and ultimately prove that their resurgence was no fluke.
