The Pittsburgh Steelers return to Acrisure Stadium on Sunday from their successful trip to Ireland and subsequent fruitful bye week. Although idle, they now stand alone atop the AFC North at 3-1 after each division rival lost in week 4.
The Steelers return from the early bye to kick off their first division game of the season as they host the Cleveland Browns. Despite their 1-4 record, the Browns are a formidable opponent. Below, I preview the Steelers’ week 6 matchup with the Browns, which is sure to be a classic AFC North dogfight.
Rankings
| Statistic | Steelers (League rank) | Browns (League rank) |
| Offense | 1,054 (30) | 1,441 (28) |
| Defense | 1,530 (20) | 1,239 (2) |
| Points Scored | 96 (17) | 73 (31) |
| Points Allowed | 98 (20) | 123 (21) |
| Turnovers Committed | 3 (9) | 8 (24) |
| Turnovers Created | 10 (2) | 4 (22) |
| 3rd Down % (Offense) | 38.6% (20) | 34.2% (28) |
| 3rd Down % (Defense) | 41.8% (21) | 43.3% (24) |
| Time of Possession | 26:46 (30) | 31:07 (12) |
Establishing an Identity
After 5 weeks of play, the Steelers stand tall in the AFC North at 3-1. Those three wins and the loss came in a variety of different ways, as the team used the first month of the season to find its footing and establish an identity.
Winning the turnover battle has been paramount, which is typically the case with any Tomlin-coached team. The other constant has been crisp quarterback play, thanks to the relentless pursuit and eventual signing of Aaron Rodgers, again, credit to Mike Tomlin.
Offense
The offensive line has been questionable at best, but Arthur Smith has tailored an offense to make the best of it. Taking advantage of Aaron Rodgers’ quick passing ability, they have built an aerial attack that is reliant on yards after catch. Rodgers averages 2.28 seconds from snap to release, which is the quickest in the NFL among qualified QBs, and not coincidentally, D.K. Metcalf leads all wide receivers in the NFL with 47.2 YAC per game.
While the rushing attack has been a major work in progress, strides were made in week 4 against the Vikings. To better block the Minnesota front, the Steelers deployed 6 offensive linemen on 19 plays. Renowned blocking tight end Darnell Washington led the talented tight end group in snaps with 48, which was 91% of the Steelers’ offensive plays. As a result, the team rushed for 131 yards, by far the most in any game this season.
Defense
After a disappointing start to the season, the defense appears to have improved each week and is closer to the unit we expected in 2025. Although they are still middle of the road or worse in most categories, they are second in the NFL in takeaways with 10 in just four games. The timely takeaways help the Steelers have the 2nd best starting field position in the NFL.
Though I’m not ready to start calling them “Blitzburgh” just yet, the defense has blitzed at the 3rd highest rate this season (35.8%), and it’s been effective, causing a 9.9% (5th) hurry rate and 14 sacks (4th). Once they improve on their 21st-ranked 3rd down defense and cut down on the 24.5 points per game allowed, we can start considering nicknames again.
How to Beat the Browns
Whether it’s a quick passing game behind a heavy front or an escalating pressure defense, it appears the Steelers have found a winning formula. Is this identity to be maintained, or will it be ever-changing throughout the season, depending on the competition? Only time will tell. But the Steelers are more than equipped to use their strengths to take advantage of a few Cleveland Browns’ disadvantages, which I highlighted below.
On Offense
The Browns used first and second round picks on a pair of rookies for their defense. Both have made impressive impacts early in their careers, but are not without their faults. Fifth overall pick Mason Graham is a major disruptor, but he can be taken advantage of in the run game. He currently holds a 50.0 run defense grade per PFF, which is 86th of 118 interior defensive linemen – less than impressive.
His 2025 draft classmate, Carson Schwesinger, fares much better against the run, boasting an 80.4 run defense grade, 15th among all linebackers. The second-round pick from UCLA has been impressive, but I believe the Steelers’ large front can take advantage of Schwesinger’s lone fault, his size.
At 6’2″, 225 pounds, the lean linebacker uses his athleticism to make sideline to sideline, and slip off would-be blockers in the run game. The Steelers could negate the athleticism by getting blockers on him early and often with a downhill run game. Cleveland’s team speed on defense and strong edge defenders make an outside rushing attack nearly infeasible, but a north/south run game, geared directly at the Browns’ rookie defensive duo of Graham and Schwesinger, could take advantage of their faults.
Mike Tomlin said in his weekly press conference:
“A successful day may be 3 and 4 yard runs at times. We have to take what we can get in that regard.”
Recognizing the yards will not come easily against the stout Browns defense, but perseverance and a strong plan of attack should prevail.
Defense
The big story in the NFL this week was the trade of Joe Flacco from the Browns to the Bengals. Not so much that the veteran was heading to Cincinnati, which was desperate for any kind of resemblance to professional QB play, but that Cleveland was fully committing to their QB room without Flacco, leaving two rookies in Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, along with the underwhelming journeyman, Bailey Zappe as their lone quarterbacks.
Gabriel, who logged his first career start in week 5, appears to be the QB of the Browns’ foreseeable future. The rookie drew a tough first start against the Vikings’ defense, led by defensive coordinator Brian Flores, and the going doesn’t get any easier in his second start. As Head Coach, Mike Tomlin holds a 26-6 career record against rookie QBs, which doesn’t bode well for Gabriel.
Tomlin and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin will surely find flaws in his game to take advantage of, one of which I believe showed itself in Gabriel’s lone NFL start
A whopping 66% of Dillon Gabriel’s pass attempts were thrown to the left side of the field, likely no coincidence for the left-handed thrower. That’s a tendency the young QB has already established in his young career. It’s up to the Steelers coaching staff to recognize it and take advantage on Sunday.
Gabriel was impressive, albeit in a loss, and the head coach recognizes it..
High words of praise from Mike Tomlin, who doesn’t often give flowers to rookies, especially QBs. But Gabriel is a rookie, and the “Browns is the Browns”, so expect the Steelers to take full advantage of any of their misgivings.
Final Thoughts
AFC North matchups are typically knock down, drag out, dogfights. Although the defenses are giving up more points than usual, I still expect a hard fought battle on both sides. Execution up front of offense, and gang tackling on defense are at the top of the priority list.
Physical football is a brand both clubs believe in, but the Browns are coming off a physical week 5 game against the Vikings, played in London. They then flew back to Cleveland and will travel to Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, the Steelers are fresh after their bye week and 13 days of rest, historically an advantage for the team. Mike Tomlin is 14-4 in his career in the game following a bye week.
The officials typically understand AFC North football and keep the flags in their pockets. With T.J. Watt and Myles Garrett on the field, holding could be called on any given play, so let’s hope the wrong yellow towels aren’t flying.
Penalties, turnovers, and special teams can win or lose the tight division games, and those are all factors that play to the Steelers advantage.
23-17 Steelers
