THE STEEL CITY SHOWDOWN

By Tom Misson

Browns nation are you ready? Heinz field is about to witness a Cleveland-Pittsburgh game Sunday that by the final gun, might be worthy of front page news on Monday. I said “might.” The Browns have a chance to prove the rivalry is back. The Steelers don’t think so. Heck, why should they? Pittsburgh’s won the last 8 games in this “rivalry.”

So what’s the difference between Sunday’s game and week 1 when the Steelers throttled the Browns 34-7? A lot. A quarterback who can get the ball to his receivers, an offensive line that has jelled, a better than average running game, and an overall offensive unit that can light up the score board. 29 points per game in fact. But the Steelers defense is best in the NFL at only giving up 12 points per game. Something’s got to give. I think both will.

The way I see it, the Browns offense will move the ball at will against the Steelers defense, between the 20’s. But the new Steel Curtain will stiffen once the Browns get into the Red Zone, allowing field goals and not so many touchdowns.

Meanwhile… the Browns defense must pressure Ben Roethlisberger or the entire burden of winning this game will be on the offense, forcing them to score nearly every possession.

The Browns have come a long way since week 1, but not far enough to beat the Steelers on their home turf yet.

My prediction: Steelers 31, Browns 19