Steelers vs. Browns bold predictions for Week 17 clash

The Pittsburgh Steelers are one win away from clinching the AFC North title. This certainly was the goal as the team went to training camp this summer, and it seemed like a realistic possibility when Mike Tomlin’s team won 4 of the season’s first 5 games to take charge in the division.

However, that hot start gave way to a brutal midseason slump that saw the Steelers lose 5 of their next 7 games. Not only did the Steelers fall to 6-6 and see their lead in the division disappear — they were tied with the Ravens at 6-6 — their defense fell apart. That has long been one of Pittsburgh’s signature areas, but the Steelers lost their ability to put their defensive imprint on a game.

However, just when it looked like the Steelers would fall apart and lose their chances of becoming a playoff team this season, Aaron Rodgers has keyed a resurgence and the Steelers have won their last 3 games. A win over the struggling Cleveland Browns will give them the division.

Even if the Steelers suffer an upset in Cleveland, the Steelers will win the division if the Ravens lose their Saturday night game at Green Bay. If the Steelers lose and Baltimore wins, the Steelers can still win the division by beating the Ravens at Heinz Field in the final regular-season game of the season.

Rodgers has keyed Pittsburgh’s offense, and he will throw for 225-yards and 2 TDs

The Steelers have been able to get back on track with victories over the Ravens, Dolphins and Lions. Rodgers had been having an up-and-down season prior to the 3-game winning streak, but he recaptured some of his accuracy and leadership ability.

He completed 56 of 86 passes for 586 yards with a 7-3 touchdown to interception ratio during the winning streak. More than the numbers, Rodgers was playing with a confidence that he had not demonstrated since his tenure with the Green Bay Packers ended in the 2022 season.

The biggest challenge that Rodgers will face against the Browns is the presence of edge rusher Myles Garrett, the premier pass rusher in the league. Garrett has 22.0 sacks, 32.0 tackles for loss, 58 tackles and 1 pass defensed. He was held to 1/2 sack in Cleveland’s 23-20 loss to the Bills in Week 16, and it seems quite likely that he could come up with 2.0 sacks or more in this game.

The suspension of top receiver D.K. Metcalf could also be an issue for Rodgers and the Steelers offense. The CBS television cameras caught Metcalf throwing a punch at a fan in the road victory over the Lions last week and the league will not allow him to play the last 2 games of the season.

Without Metcalf, who has caught a team-leading 59 passes for 850 yards with 6 touchdowns, the Steelers will need running back Kenneth Gainwell and tight end Pat Freiermuth to come through.

Gainwell is one of the most versatile running backs in the league. He has run for 501 yards and 4 TDs while averaging 4.9 yards per carry. Gainwell is also the Steelers’ most sure-handed receiver. He has caught 62 passes for 410 yards with 3 TDs.

Friermuth has caught 35-372-4 and 15 of his receptions have resulted in 1st downs.

Additionally, the Steelers will depend on Jaylen Warren to establish the Pittsburgh ground attack. Warren has rushed for 828 yards while averaging 4.5 yards per carry. He has pounded the ball into the end zone 6 times.

Steelers defense has struggled, but should be able to limit Shedeur Sanders

The Steelers rank 17th in points allowed, as they are giving up an average of 23.3 points per game. Their performance during their 3-game winning streak has improved a bit as they are allowing just 20.3 points in those games.

The Steelers could get a boost from the return of outside linebacker T.J. Watt from a partially collapsed lung. He has missed the last two games, but Tomlin has provided an optimistic view of his possible return against the Browns. He could make life miserable for Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders because he is one of the best pass rushers in the league.

Watt has recorded 7.0 sacks, 53 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 7 passes batted down, 3 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries. He is clearly one of the game’s elite defensive players when he is healthy.

In addition to Watt, the Steelers are led by linebacker Payton Wilson who has a team-leading 118 tackles and 6 tackles for loss. Patrick Queen has contributed to 113 tackles, 7 tackles for loss and 4 passes defensed.

The Steelers should be able to keep Sanders in check as he prepares to start his 6th game of the season. He has thrown for 1,103 yards with a 6-to-8 touchdown to interception ratio. He has been sacked 15 times and the Steelers should be able to keep him in check.

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