Browns: 3 keys to victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers
By Chad Porto
Get tight ends involved early
With the news that Odell Beckham Jr. is ill and could possibly miss the Week 6 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the tight ends will be crucial for the passing game. Beyond Beckham, Jarvis Landry is dealing with hip issues and has been restricted in practice recently. If both receivers are unable to go, then that means Donovan Peoples-Jones and Rashard Higgins will start for the team, as KhaDarel Hodge is still out for another week while he’s on IR.
The Browns still have playmakers, but they’re not wideouts. Austin Hooper, Harrison Bryant, and David Njoku have shown to be able to make plays but one or two of them will end up having to line up off the line of scrimmage. They’re going to be crucial to Baker Mayfield’s success, especially with the team already dealing with Nick Chubb’s injury.
Even if Beckham and Landry are healthy enough to go, the Browns need to utilize them to get quick passes off. T.J. Watt is going to be a force to be reckoned with, and Jedrick Wills showed last week against Justin Houston that good pass rushers will give him trouble. Watt is much better than a “good” pass rusher, so things are going to be interesting.