Usually I am very optimistic, but I am finding it hard to be so about this game. Pittsburgh defense is playing lights out.
2nd in interceptions, 3rd in sacks, 2nd in forced fumbles. I watched the tail end of the rams-steelers game and the Steelers D was incredible. Goff was completely thrown off his game.
Their offense is nothing to brag about but they are scheming excellent and people are just doing the little tasks that are asked of them.
The coaching, culture, and discipline advantage is going to be so overwhelming in this game, I am afraid it will be another 49ers debacle.
I think we should run a lot, with a healthy dose of designed roll outs and QB runs, similar to what the seahawks did with Wilson last night to slow down Watt and company.
I agree... I could easily see them coming in and embarrassing us
" Now here you are running these dirty old streets tattoo on your neck fake gold on your teeth, got the hood here snowed but you can't fool me, we both know who you are"
Denver's defense is also very good and we held up pretty well against them. We have to the talent to beat a good defense. The question is whether the talent performs and/or is put in the position to succeed.
This is a game where the Browns have to establish the run game. The Steelers are a bad team to play from behind. They love to put you into 3rd and long.
They thrive on putting pressure on the quarterback and forcing turnovers.
This looks like the type of game that the Browns have to be in play action mold.
Be confident in I formations. Create mis-direction plays with Hunt. Make them defend both runners.
Use play action and take some shots downfield against Haden and the others.
You have to play physical against them. The front on both sides have to be up to the challenge. This game will once again prove the LOS determines the game.
Hopefully we have a good plan. This will be a stiff challenge.
If Freddy keeps calling stupid plays we are toast. Stick to KISS, run followed by run and then run it again.
The Constitution shall never be construe to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms. – Samuel Adams
Add this: They play hungry. We haven't shown the insane desire to win. That is part of the "bad matchup" issue in this thread. We have been very casual, and some playmakers owe us more.
This will take a real effort and sending enough pressure, and some real ground pounding. And a defense gets itself off the field.
"Every responsibility implies opportunity, and every opportunity implies responsibility." Otis Allen Glazebrook, 1880
Good point Bard ... watching them is like dogs on meat. Watching us isn’t always (or ever) like that. They fly around and have intensity defensively ... we are more of a finesse offense and flash players.
Put it this way; have both teams switch uniforms and our players in their culture/system would DESTROY us
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
Last hunt owned these guys 2nd statistically there qbs have had 2excellent games verses weak opponents Baltimore scored a lot of points verses these guys. The most important point teams that travel on a short week typically get beaten
Last hunt owned these guys 2nd statistically there qbs have had 2excellent games verses weak opponents Baltimore scored a lot of points verses these guys. The most important point teams that travel on a short week typically get beaten
That trip between Pittsburgh and Cleveland is killer too...
Agreed about their D. They were phenomenal the other night. And to top if off, all of a sudden HADEN was looking practically back in his prime. It infuriates me that they got Fitzpatrick. Rrrrggggh!
We're going to have to be practically perfect to win, I think.
Add this: They play hungry. We haven't shown the insane desire to win. That is part of the "bad matchup" issue in this thread. We have been very casual, and some playmakers owe us more.
This will take a real effort and sending enough pressure, and some real ground pounding. And a defense gets itself off the field.
They do play hungry. Hats off to Tomlin for that. You can see they want to prove everyone that Ben isn't the end all be off of the team, like everyone says he is.
Steelers defense is good, but the Rams Oline was decimated. They are starting Corbett at RG. They haven't scored in a few games. They beat the Chargers, another team with offensive woes.
The problem I see is Watt. If Hubbard doesn't have constant help, Baker will get pummeled. Fitzpatrick is very good, but the TD he scored against the Rams was BS. It wasn't like he made a great play, the ball bounced right to him. Most let up thinking it was a incomplete pass, which it actually was. He has had a couple other big plays that also came as gifts.
The big problem I see besides Watt, is stopping Conner. If they can stop them from running, I see Greedy and Ward having a good game. Randall being back will be huge.
Good point Bard ... watching them is like dogs on meat. Watching us isn’t always (or ever) like that. They fly around and have intensity defensively ... we are more of a finesse offense and flash players.
Put it this way; have both teams switch uniforms and our players in their culture/system would DESTROY us
IF the Browns played with some INTENSITY then we could match Pitt... But the problem is that we come out flat, no fire..etc.
I think it starts at play 1.. on Offense, what ever our best run play is, line up and hit them in the mouth with it...On D, tell someone on D to make a big hit!!.. Let them know from play 1, we will kick your butt!!...
Sounds like they have better coaching than us. By that I mean the way the Steelers come out hungry and play hard. They didn't let Ben's injury or the loss of AB or LB bother them did they? They know how to play and know how to win. Exact opposite of us at this point.
That is the thing that is so frustrating. The Steelers play hard. I think Tomlin has done a masterful job this year rallying his team. I just dont see the same fire in the Browns, even when they play at home.
Currently, Vegas is leaning towards a Cleveland win...
Spread:
Steelers +2.5 (even): meaning, you bet the Steelers +2.5, a $100 bet pays $100
Browns -2.5 (-120): meaning, you bet the Browns -2.5, you have to wager $120 to win $100
Moneyline (just picking who will win the game)
Steelers: +120: meaning, you bet $100 on the Steelers to win, you win $120 Browns: -140: meaning, you have to bet $140 on the Browns to win, you win $100
Vegas likes the Browns and will make you pay the juice. The Browns implied probability of winning is 58.3%
It’s a surprising line to me ... I figured it’d be a pickem type game
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
Not trying to be a troll here, but I would have expected us favored by 2 or even. We'll see.
I couldn't agree more
" Now here you are running these dirty old streets tattoo on your neck fake gold on your teeth, got the hood here snowed but you can't fool me, we both know who you are"
Seriously, this game should be easy peasey for us.
the Browns have one of the best run blocking OL in the league. Look at Nick Chubb stats right now, the guy 919 yards, and a 5.3 YPC average...when he goes over 1,000 yards and averages over 5 YPC, only Jim Brown(5 times) OJ Simpson(3 times) and Berry Sanders (3 times) have ever done that. That puts him in elite company and the kid is just getting started.
Nick Chubb destroyed the Pats Run D he had over 160 yards against a team that had yet to even give up a 100 yards rusher this year, thats the most rushing yards put up against a Bellichik D since god his days with the NY Giants I think.
Simply put, There is no way in **** that the Steelers should be able to stop Nick Chubb, especially now that he has Hunt as a leader blocker and pass catcher.
The Steelers D is weak against the run this year, Chubb should be able to hammer them. We should have Hunt and Chubb in the backfield every down and force the Steelers to play 9 man in the box all game just to hold us to 5 yards per carry and that will give us plenty of time to pick our spots throwing.
Fact is with Hunt and Chubb on the field together all the time, they can't double OBJ, and we can motion Hunt into the slot where he will eat their LB alive in the passing game all day long.
this game is our game to lose, not the Steelers game to win. We should be able to run at will on them without them being able to do a damn thing about it, and if we don't it ought be criminal. If we don't win this game, we might as well pack it in for the year. we don't even deserve to even sniff the playoffs if we can't beat this Steelers team.
Steelers D recently with the turnovers and particularly turnovers that turn immediately into scores has been lucky. I have seen balls tipped up in the air and falling right into Steeler DBs hands for a couple weeks now.
Steelers D recently with the turnovers and particularly turnovers that turn immediately into scores has been lucky. I have seen balls tipped up in the air and falling right into Steeler DBs hands for a couple weeks now.
Tonight their luck runs out.
I think(hope) you have a point there. I can count on one hand the number of "lucky" things that have happened to this team this year. Obviously, first and foremost we need to play well, but it would not hurt to have a ball or two turn in our favor!!
Pitt always has our number (let's be honest, most teams do)
All they have to do is apply pressure on Baker, and he'll fold...and probably rifle a gimme interception to someone as well.
We definitely need to stop Conner and the run game...and pressure Rudolph into mistakes as well...I would attack their backup LG with multiple stunts.
I know a lot of people were saying the Ramz Oline looked like trash against Pitt. But I'll tell you this, Rams have a better LT, RG, and RT (we are only better at LG and C)...and Pitt panicked them all evening...I unfortunately feel this will be the case again.
I'm hoping I'm wrong...and I would love not to be embarrassed like were a few weeks ago against the 49ers on prime time television.
I had a colonoscopy this morning.. I hope tonight is more fun.
depends which nurse was involved
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
Agreed about their D. They were phenomenal the other night. And to top if off, all of a sudden HADEN was looking practically back in his prime. It infuriates me that they got Fitzpatrick. Rrrrggggh!
We're going to have to be practically perfect to win, I think.
