The Pittsburgh Steelers poise to be a real test for the surging 4-1 Cleveland Browns but to win, these three players need big games.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are finally with in punching distance for the first time in 20 years. After the Browns owend the rivalry for decades, save for one stretch in the ’70s to call their own, the Steelers came back hard in the 2000s and 2010s to dominate the Browns. The 2020’s poise to be the generation when the Browns strike back.
The Steelers look good in their first four games but they’ve looked good against some of the worst offenses in the NFL. Even if someone like Baker Mayfield has a streaky day, his worst performance is still better than what the Steelers have seen all year.
So with that, let’s look at the three players that need to step up.
D’Ernest Johnson
Kareem Hunt isn’t having a great year by going up the gut. Hunt likes to break down his run, look for holes as they develop and bide his time. That’s great in open spaces but terrible up the gut. While a lot of people want to say that the Colts defense was just that good and that’s why Hunt struggled running up the middle, the truth is he’s struggled to do that all year. His best plays have come off of pitches, off tackle runs, and in the passing game. Not trying to be an inside runner.
D’Ernest Johnson, on the other hand, went right up the middle on the Colts and the Cowboys in Nick Chubb’s stead. Johnson will have to do that against the Steelers if the Browns have any hope of establishing a ground game against them.
Baker Mayfield
Baker Mayfield had a great first half against the Colts, then the line broke down in the second half and Mayfield got tagged twice while throwing the ball. Ironically both passes he got hit on were turned into interceptions. It wasn’t just the hits that Mayfield took, as the Browns quarterback was hit big several times against the Colts as well. Partly because Wyatt Teller was out with a thigh injury. With Teller looking like he won’t play, star running back Nick Chubb still out for the Steelers, and Kareem Hunt not being the best runner between the tackles, it looks very much like Mayfield will need to step up against the Steelers.
Mayfield can play in the NFL. He’s been accurate in a lot of his games this year, and when he’s not being forced to deal with a one-dimensional offense, he’s shown to be very efficient. The problem is against the Colts and Ravens, for vastly different reasons, the Browns offense became very predictable. Both teams made Mayfield the only offensive threat and Kevin Stefanksi’s scheme relies on being able to share the workload. If not, then the whole plan falls apart. Establishing Mayfield early with some good play calling and making sure he’s protected is paramount to a Browns’ victory.
Chris Hubbard
Respect where it’s due, the Browns bringing back Chris Hubbard was a good signing. He’s been the team’s “do-everything” linemen. He’s played at tackle, at guard and if J.C. Tretter goes down, put money on Hubbard going in for him. He’s become the Browns’ sixth man off the bench. Ironic, as he was terrible last year at right tackle. On the verge of being cut, the Browns gave him an offer; agree to a restructured deal, and stay on with us.
So Hubbard signed the new deal and came back under different circumstances. Now he’s gone out of his way to be a valuable piece, filling in for Jack Conklin and Wyatt Teller so far this year. He hasn’t really missed a beat either. Sure, he wasn’t perfect against the Colts but how much time has Hubbard had at guard in practice? With Teller’s health in doubt for the Steelers game, Hubbard is going to be called upon to help open up holes and protect Mayfield. Even if Teller is a go, there’s no guarantee that he’ll stay healthy; meaning that Hubbard may be on stand by.