Steelers Keys To Victory vs Browns

Hold the panic button and relax on the talk of starting Kenny Pickett. Nothing worse than a Kenny Pickett stooge.

We knew the offense was going to be ugly and we knew the defense was going to be good. Steeler Nation, we are fine.

Death, taxes, and the Steelers beating the Browns.

Vegas says the Browns are 5.5 point favorites in this game. I think this is a perfect example of why it is important to understand how Vegas sets lines. They don't set the line at what they think is going to happen. They set the line so they get equal action on both teams.

The Browns are going to get more bets from the public tomorrow because the browns have a "better" offense and all the public thinks about is offense. Vegas also knows everyone saw the ending of the Browns game against the Jets and figures the Browns will be pissed off.

Good thing the betting public is normally idiots and while I won’t be laying my mortgage on either side of this game I think the Steelers path to victory is actually pretty straightforward.

1. Stop the run

With Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt the Browns have a great backfield, paired with one of the best lines in football and it's no coincidence they have a great rushing attack. With that being said, they don’t have much of a plan B on offense when that doesn’t work- if the Steelers can make Brissett play quarterback and force some third and longs he will undoubtedly make some mistakes that could give the Steelers an advantage.

1. Establish the Run

Idk about you but I am getting really sick and tired of seeing Najee Harris have less than 60 yards rushing. This game we have to get the workhorse more involved and block better for him. The lack of success in the run game is mostly contributed to the offensive line not opening up holes but Najee Harris has also missed a lot of openings the few times the line gives him one, constantly trying to bounce everything outside instead of going north and south. Both Najee and the line need to build confidence in each other and keep improving this game.

1. Win the Time of Possession

Three and outs piss me off more than anything. Not only is your offense off the field now but your defense is right back on, oftentimes still gassed from the previous drive. Playing defense is just more tiring than playing offense: Fact. Having three and outs and keeping your defense on the field for 45min a game is not winning football, eventually the defense is going to let up a play (IE: Patriots TD before half). We don’t need to score every drive but we need to make sure we give the defense a break and try to keep time of possession close.

That's really it. Make Brissett play quarterback, establish our running game, and win the time of possession.

If you told me right now that Brisett has to throw more than 25 times and the Steelers have 100 yards rushing I would tell you that the Steelers will win this game.