The 2-1 Cleveland Browns will welcome the 2-1 Pittsburgh Steelers for Thursday Night Football in a divisional matchup that could be decided at the line of scrimmage. Pittsburgh enters with a remodeled offensive front and Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, while Cleveland will rely on an aggressive defense to compensate for an offense that has yet to find consistent production.
Steelers seek to control the game on the ground
Pittsburgh has shown an ability to use heavy personnel packages and vary its rushing looks, with Jaylen Warren reading blocks effectively behind an offensive line that has undergone significant changes.
New starting right guard Brock Hoffman and rookie right tackle Max Iheanachor have helped form a line capable of matching physical fronts. The Steelers will need that group to establish the run against a Cleveland defense built to attack gaps and create disruption.
The Browns feature second-year defensive tackle Mason Graham, free-agent addition Quincy Williams at linebacker and edge rusher Jared Verse, who arrived in a trade. That front can generate pressure, produce short fields for the offense and keep Cleveland competitive even when its offense struggles.
Rodgers’ lack of mobility could make Pittsburgh particularly vulnerable if the Browns consistently win up front. Cleveland’s best route to an upset may be forcing the veteran quarterback into hurried throws and capitalizing on field-position swings.
Injury questions shape Thursday’s preparation
- Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey is attempting to play through a broken wrist. Pittsburgh has used him near the line of scrimmage in disguised defensive alignments, making his availability important both against the run and in pressure packages.
- Browns center Elgton Jenkins appears unlikely to be available. His potential absence would put additional stress on Cleveland’s interior protection against a deep Pittsburgh tackle rotation.
- The Steelers can rotate Cameron Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black along the defensive interior, presenting a major test for a Browns offensive line already facing uncertainty.
- Cleveland guard Teven Jenkins did not participate in Monday’s practice before returning in a limited capacity Tuesday, an encouraging development for his Thursday status.
- Pittsburgh cornerback Joey Porter Jr. remains an uncertain availability. The standout corner is also approaching a contract situation that has continued to draw attention.
Offenses searching for consistency
Pittsburgh erupted against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3, but its season-long offensive figures remain near the bottom of the league. The Steelers rank 29th in success rate, 30th in expected points added per play and 29th in points per possession.
Cleveland has posted slightly stronger offensive numbers, although it has faced a softer slate of defenses and still sits in the league’s bottom 10 in each of those categories. Neither team has consistently sustained drives, though both defenses have allowed occasional explosive plays.
The matchup projects as a physical contest in which both offenses could emphasize the running game. Pittsburgh can use its ground attack to slow Cleveland’s penetrating front, while the Browns may look to reduce the number of obvious passing situations for Deshaun Watson behind a potentially weakened line.
Browns skill players could see expanded roles
Running back Quinshon Judkins carried 18 times against the Carolina Panthers last week. With Pittsburgh allowing the eighth-fewest passing yards per game this season, Cleveland could again lean on Judkins for workload even if rushing efficiency is difficult to find.
Rookie receiver KC Concepcion has been heavily involved despite limited statistical results. Through three weeks, he is one of only nine receivers over the past 26 seasons to receive at least 20 targets while remaining below 80 receiving yards. He ran routes on 95 percent of Cleveland’s offensive snaps last week, and coordinator Todd Monken may seek easier ways to get the ball to him while Watson works through passing-game issues.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. has drawn at least six targets in each of his last two games and exceeded 40 receiving yards both times. Watson’s ability to extend plays has created opportunities for Fannin when the initial structure breaks down. Pittsburgh has defended tight ends well, but its zone-heavy approach could leave room for the rookie to find openings underneath and between the hashes.
