The BYE week is over which means 13 straight weeks of football! This week the Steelers host their long-time rivals the Cleveland Browns in a crucial AFC North match-up. Here’s everything you need to know for the game.
What: Cleveland Browns 1-4 at Pittsburgh Steelers 3-1
Where: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA
When: Sunday October 12th 1pmET
Weather: 65 degrees with light rain. Winds to 7mph
Surface: Natural Grass
Wagering Information: Steelers -5.5 O/U 38.5
Last Week: The Browns traveled to London where they lost 21-17 to the Vikings. The Steelers enjoyed their BYE week.
TV: CBS Ian Eagle (play-by-play), J.J. Watt (analysis), Evan Washburn (field reporter)
TV Coverage in Your Area (courtesy 506sports.com): (RED) I would love to know why a tiny swath of northern California gets the game
Radio: Steelers Audio Network Rob King (play-by-play), Max Starks (analysis), Missi Matthews (field reporter)
Head Official: Ron Torbert. In his 15th season as a head official, Torbert is an attorney and a graduate of Michigan State University. He last called a Steelers’ game it was Week Two of the 2023 season and was also against Cleveland. His crew called 13 penalties that day. Through four games this season, Torbert’s crew has called 72 penalties. His crew is also calling almost 12 penalties per game on the home team versus six for the away team.
Key Injuries/Game Status (courtesy steelers.com) PIT:No. 5 CB Jalen Ramsey (Hamstring) – Questionable, No. 19 WR Calvin Austin (Shoulder) – Out CLE: No. 51 DT Mike Hall Jr. (Knee) – Limited
Injury Notes: Alex Highsmith appears to be ready to go but Teryl Austin also said Nick Herbig deserves to be on the field too… With a short week coming, I’m curious to see how the Steelers proceed with Ramsey. Will they take a chance and play him this week or give him extra time to rest before the Bengals on Thursday.
2025 NFL Ranks:
Total Offense: PIT 30th, CLE 27th
Passing Offense: PIT 27th, CLE 23rd
Rushing Offense: PIT 31st, CLE 25th
Total Defense: PIT 28th, CLE 2nd
Passing Defense: PIT 30th, CLE 2nd
Rushing Defense: PIT 19th, CLE 1st
AFC North Standings:
Pittsburgh 3-1
Cincinnati 2-3
Baltimore 1-4
Cleveland 1-4
This Week in the AFC North: LA Rams at Baltimore 1pmET, Cincinnati at Green Bay 425pmET
What You Need to Know: The Steelers are 24-12 all time following a BYE week… The Steelers are 51-15 all time when facing a rookie QB and they are 27-4 at home… Pittsburgh is 3-1 in day games this year… The Steelers are 3-0 when they have a positive turnover margin… The Steelers are 22-1 all-time against the Browns in regular season games at Acrisure Stadium.
Tomlin Time: Coach Tomlin is 27-8-1 all time against the Browns… Coach T is 14-4 following a BYE week… Mike Tomlin is 26-6 all time against rookie QBs… Tomlin is now tied with Chuck Knox for 11th all-time in victories with 186… He is four behind Dan Reeves who sits in 10th place all-time.
Cleveland Browns Names to Know: QB Dillon Gabriel, QB Shedeur Sanders, DE Myles Garrett, RB Quinshon Judkins, TE David Njoku, TE Harold Fannin, Jr, CB Denzel Ward, WR Isaiah Bond, WR Jerry Jeudy, K Andre Szmyt
What’s at Stake: With the banged up Ravens hosting a good LA Rams’ team, a win for the Steelers could garner them an even bigger lead in the North. A loss pulls everyone back together and gives Cleveland a glimmer of hope despite their recent trades.
All-Time Series: Steelers lead 82-64-1, Steelers lead 53-22 all-time in Pittsburgh
Last Meeting: December 2024 in Pittsburgh. Steelers 27 Browns 14
Postseason History: Steelers lead 2-1
Steelers Regular Season Game Highs vs CLE:
PASSING: 417 yards Ben Roethlisberger 10/18/2019
RUSHING: 223 yards Willie Parker 12/07/2006
RECEIVING: 187 yards Antonio Brown 01/03/2016
SACKS: 4.0 T.J. Watt 01/03/2022 and Jerrol Williams 12/22/1991
INTERCEPTIONS: 3 Darren Perry 09/11/1994, Richard Shelton 12/22/1991, Donnie Shell 11/22/1981
Check out the latest Steel City Blitz Steelers Podcast for more on the Steelers.
Three Things We Need to See for a Steelers’ Victory:
1. Have a Plan for Myles. It seems in recent years the Steelers’ approach to Myles Garrett was to let Dan Moore do his very best and hope whatever QB was in the game got rid of the ball quickly. That really isn’t a plan as much as it is a plea for good luck. Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu have improved with each passing week but there’s no way either of them are ready to handle the all-pro one-on-one all afternoon. I suspect we’ll see a lot of Darnell Washington who has already been getting increased snaps in recent weeks in the run game, to be used as a pass protector. Bottom line? They can’t let Garrett win this game by himself.
2. Make Gabriel Beat You. The Browns have very good tight ends and capable receivers so loading the box from the start could be dangerous. That said, I think Teryl Austin has to focus on stopping the run first. Force Dillon Gabriel to make plays especially in those third and long situations. The danger there of course is that the Steelers have struggled to stop anyone in those situations. Nevertheless, put a lid on the run game, bring the pass rush and force the rookie to beat you.
3. Someone Has to Step Up. During the win in Dublin, D.K. Metcalf had a monster first half but then caught just one pass in the second half as the Vikings adjusted. The offense was forced to rely on the run while Aaron Rodgers struggled to find anyone other than Metcalf. With Calvin Austin III not available Sunday, it sounds like Scotty Miller will get the lions’ share of the reps. All due respect to Miller who can be terrific in the slot, I don’t see him concerning the Browns too much. Therefore, look for Rodgers to rely on those tight ends and backs out of the backfield. If no one steps up and the run game is struggling then the offense could be in trouble.
The ‘X’ Factor: Each week I will select a player from each team who I believe will need to play above and beyond in order for his team to win.
X-Factor Steelers: D-Line. Yep! I’m going with the entire group of guys here and the reason is simple. Quinshon Judkins looked pretty darn good last week and I suspect we will see another large dose of him Sunday. This unit is the front line for slowing him down and they have to plain and simple. The other side of the equation is the fact that Browns QB Dillon Gabriel stands all of 5’10” which means getting arms up and knocking down passes will be huge in this game.
X-Factor Browns: Whoever is Opposite of Denzel Ward. In Jim Schwarz’s defense, his cornerbacks do not follow receivers. They stay on the same side. Therefore, I would expect Arthur Smith to get D.K. Metcalf away from Ward. Since the Browns traded Greg Newsome II this week, that could mean any number of guys. Tyson Campbell came over in the trade but how much of the defense will he have picked up? Regardless, whoever that corner is has to play well.
Prediction: In a perfect world, the Steelers turn over Dillon Gabriel three or four times and turn those into TDs leading to a comfortable victory. In the Steelers’ world, I see another rock fight where field position and special teams play will become monstrous as the game goes on. I think the Black and Gold do just enough to get out with a win.
Steelers 20 Browns 17
Season Prediction Record: 1-3
