"I'm not worried about any of that. We're trying to beat the Browns right now."
That isn't only Najee Harris' mentality regarding the help that's needed heading into Week 18. That's the mentality of the entire locker room. The Steelers need to defeat the Browns this afternoon at Acrisure Stadium, and the Bills and Jets to win their games in order for Pittsburgh to pull off the comeback from a 2-6 start to a 9-8 finish with a playoff berth.
Ironically, what the Steelers need to beat the Browns is exactly what they don't have regarding their ultimate playoff fate: Control.
The Steelers have turned their season around because of T.J. Watt's return on defense, but also through finding their identity on offense. That involves running the football in a much more productive way.
Prior to the bye in Week 9, the offense averaged 94.9 rushing yards per game. In the eight games since, they're averaging 146.3 yards. The exclamation point on this turnaround came last week at Baltimore when the Steelers pounded the Ravens with 198 yards on the ground.
"I think our offense did a really good job of working to possess it in an effort to minimize the attrition component on the other side," Mike Tomlin said Tuesday. "So, at the end of the day, we were able to win the line of scrimmage, I think, on both sides of the ball and do a better job of kind of controlling some of the attrition component of play that was a factor in our first meeting."
Controlling the attrition component of games has been the key to success over the second half of the season. Even when Watt first returned to the lineup, it took him a while to start making a Watt-like impact. In fact, he told our Dejan Kovacevic after the win in Baltimore that he finally felt more like himself. That's a long time for the defense to have its best player on the field at less than 100 percent.
The offense had to start controlling the ball more. That came through a heightened focus on improving the running game. Harris and the offensive line worked together during the bye week to get more on the same page regarding the team's zone-heavy scheme, and Harris finally healed up from a preseason foot injury and started to run more like the rookie who punished would-be tacklers during his rookie campaign.
In turn, the Steelers turned away from an abysmal average of 29:33 in time of possession over the first eight games and raised that average to 31:19, which is tied for fifth in the NFL. Over the past three weeks, the Steelers' average of 34:21 in time of possession is second to only the Packers.
In addition, the Steelers have turned the ball over only four times since the bye week, and three of those came courtesy of Mitch Trubisky while filling in for a concussed Kenny Pickett in Week 14. Pickett's thrown 195 passes over the past eight games. He's only thrown one interception. The offense is also now converting 53.5% of third down attempts, which is seventh in the NFL.
All of this -- the running game, time of possession, taking care of the football, third down conversions -- is the control the offense desired from the beginning. Even with the offense still struggling to finish drives, more often than not, they're dictating the flow of games. Regardless of how light the schedule has been over the second half of the season, this is one of the key reasons why Pittsburgh has won six of eight games down the stretch.
The Steelers obviously didn't want to carry a 2-6 record into their bye week nor fall to 3-7 after a home loss to the Bengals in Week 11. There were winnable games in the first half of the season that they let slip away, and now the Steelers are paying for it heading into Week 18. But, it at least came with a purpose that might pay off this season with a little bit of luck, or at least provide some solid footing heading into 2023.
"You learn a lot through the good, but you learn a lot through the bad," Harris said Friday. "Those times when we started off slow, we learned a lot about each other, we learned a lot about sticking together, we learned a lot about changing around. I feel like when any other type of adversity comes our way, we know how to handle it because we've been there before. Every situation is somewhat good. I think that's what we did coming off that bye week. Now we're in position to make the playoffs after starting off how we did."
"I wish we could have everything. I wish everything was ready to go back in September in the entire offense with all these rookies we're playing," Matt Canada said Thursday. "I wish it all had just been that way. Some things evolve over time. Guys are learning."
Now, right when the Steelers are starting to refine how well they control games, they have to surrender control regarding their playoff lives. Yes, they have to take care of business against Cleveland. That's a must. But, the Patriots have to lose to the Bills and the Dolphins have to lose to the Jets. (Or both teams tie. Neither can win.) And, both of those games will be played at the same time the Steelers host the Browns.
It's no surprise that Tomlin's view of how everything has to play out ultimately falls back on his team's performance.
"That happens every weekend, it's just less relevant to us in Week 1 and 2," Tomlin said regarding the outcomes of other games affecting the Steelers' playoff hopes. "But every week when you kick off at 1, there's another game going on and the outcome of that game could affect your positioning. I'm one to usually carry urgency from Week 1 through the end so that I'm not living in that world that you suggest. I just think there’s scarcity in our game, in football. You get 17 opportunities to state a case for yourself, and it's my job to continually educate our guys on the significance of that, not only now, but continually. So, we have. We acknowledge where we are, we acknowledge we had a lot to do with it, we're willing to lay in the bed that we've made. But more importantly than that, we're going to stay focused on the work that we have an opportunity to affect. And that's the work that we’re living this week."
Regardless of what happens with the Dolphins and Patriots, the Steelers want to win this game badly. Even if they miss the playoffs, they'll have salvaged a losing season. And yes, there are players that care about preserving Tomlin's legacy of never having a losing season. Harris said it Friday. Montravius Adams said it a few weeks ago.
Regardless, this team wants to finish a season that's been a test for everyone in that locker room the right way. They come this far to turn everything around from a dreadful start. Now, they want to finish it.
THE ESSENTIALS
• Who: Steelers (8-8) vs. Browns (7-9)
• What: Week 18, regular season
• When: 1:02 p.m.
• Where: Acrisure Stadium
• Spread: Pittsburgh, -2.5
• Over/Under: 40
• Weather: Mostly cloudy 43°, 21% chance rain, 5 mph wind
• TV: CBS (national)
• Radio: 102.5 WDVE, ESPN Pittsburgh
• Streaming: Steelers Nation Radio
• Satellite: Sirius XM 385, online 826
• Box score: DKPS
• Team media guides: Steelers | Browns
• Official game notes: Steelers | Browns
THE INJURY REPORT
• Steelers: S Tre Norwood (hamstring) is ruled OUT. S Minkah Fitzpatrick (ankle) and LB Myles Jack (groin) are listed as QUESTIONABLE. Both Fitzpatrick and Jack missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday, then practiced in a limited capacity on Friday.
• Browns: T Jack Conklin (ankle) and DE Isaiah Thomas (foot) are ruled OUT. CB Denzel Ward (shoulder) is listed as QUESTIONABLE. Ward did not practice all week.
THE KEY VARIABLES
The Steelers have faced Deshaun Watson once before. However, this is the first time as part of the Steelers-Browns rivalry.
"Stepping into a stadium with Deshaun Watson has our attention, what he brings and getting a feel for him," Tomlin said Tuesday. "We don't have a lot of exposure to him, obviously. The first in-stadium exposure is going to be a significant one for us and understanding how to manage his talents and what it means in terms of how these two groups come together. His mobility, his ability to extend plays and make throws."
Watson didn't play in the Week 3 matchup due to his suspension from sexual harassment allegations. While Jacoby Brissett is a mobile quarterback like Watson, the Browns are finding different ways to utilize the latter in their stout running game that revolves around Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. In the five starts he's made since returning from suspension, Watson has rushed for 131 yards on 30 carries, and he's averaging 10 yards per games more on the ground than Brissett was while he filled in during the first 11 games.
While the Steelers have seen some mobile quarterbacks as part of productive rushing attacks, such as Atlanta and Baltimore, this is a different challenge than what they've seen before.
"They use him as a runner a little bit more as well," Watt said Friday. "It's tough to tell until you're in stadium what they want to do. But they also have a really capable back that can just run the ball all day if they want to."
Watson has yet to really find his footing in the passing game. However, he does have the pedigree of being a productive passer during his days in Houston. In 2020, Watson led the NFL with 4,833 yards and threw 33 touchdowns to only seven interceptions.
This will be a different test for this Steelers defense. And any time there's any kind of unfamiliarity with a quarterback, there is almost always an adjustment period.
THE HISTORY LESSON
The Steelers and Browns rivalry goes all the way back to 1950, and the Steelers hold a 79-62 advantage with only one tie in the 142 meetings between these two teams, playoffs included.
However, since the Browns returned from three inactive years in 1999, the Steelers have dominated the rivalry with a 37-10-1 record. Only until recently have the Browns had any sustained level of success, and Cleveland has actually won three of the previous four matchups, including a painful 48-37 loss in the 2020 wild-card round.
Entering today's action, the Browns have a chance to do something they haven't done since 1988: Sweep the regular season series against the Steelers. The Browns won the first matchup this season, 29-17, back in Week 3 on Thursday Night Football in Cleveland. But, as the teams enter play in Week 18, only the Steelers have a chance to earn a spot in the playoffs. And though the Browns have essentially nothing to play for, the Steelers are anticipating them to bring everything they have to spoil Pittsburgh's playoff hopes.
"I think they're going to go into the game just like we do," Teryl Austin said Thursday. "This is an AFC North game. We know how competitive these games are. They know us, we know them, and really I'm sure they're going to do the things that they can to win the game like we are. I don't think there's any 'because we're not in the playoffs, we're going to do something different.' They're going to try to win the game just like we are."
Of all the memories and moments from this series, none stands the test of time like the 2002 wild-card round played at Acrisure Stadium (then-named Heinz Field). The Steelers entered the game as 8-point favorites while the Browns were celebrating their first postseason appearance after their return to the NFL.
But the Browns weren't just happy to be there. They punched the Steelers in the mouth right out of the gate. On third and 14 from their own 16-yard line, Kelly Holcomb hit Kevin Johnson in stride on a deep pass down the right sideline for an 83-yard gain, and William Green scored one play later.
The Steelers shot themselves in the foot time and time again in the first half. Amos Zereoue rattled off a 36-yard scamper late in the first quarter, but Tommy Maddox threw an interception near the goal line on the very next play. After the defense forced the Browns three and out, Antwaan Randle El muffed the ensuing punt, and Holcomb found Dennis Northcutt on the very next play for a 32-yard touchdown pass.
Randle El made up for his muffed punt after another interception thrown by Maddox. After forcing the Browns to punt again, Randle El scooped the short kick off the turf and ran down the right sideline for a 66-yard return for a touchdown. However, the Browns tacked on a field goal late in the second quarter while the Steelers missed a late field goal attempt and took a 17-7 advantage into halftime.
Halftime adjustments didn't pay off right away. The Steelers went three and out to start the second half, then Northcutt returned the ensuing punt 59 yards to the Steelers' 14-yard line. Three plays later, Holcomb connected once again with Northcutt for a 15-yard touchdown pass, extending Cleveland's lead to 24-7.
But the Steelers refused to give up. With the Browns driving again midway through the third quarter, Mike Logan jumped in front of a Holcomb pass for the defense's first takeaway of the game. The offense answered with their first productive drive of the game as Maddox found Plaxico Burress in the back of the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown pass, making it a 24-14 game.
But, late in the third quarter, Holcomb heaved a pass deep to Andre' Davis for a 43-yard gain, which ultimately led to a 24-yard field goal by Phil Dawson, giving Cleveland a 27-14 lead early in the fourth quarter.
The Steelers continued to fight back, spreading out the offense and airing it out. On the next drive, Maddox connected with Randle El three times for a total of 56 yards, with the final catch getting the offense down to the Browns' 3-yard line. At the end of the play, Randle El fumbled the ball and Cleveland recovered, but was rightfully ruled down by contact, keeping the Steelers' drive alive. Maddox once again looked to the back of the end zone and found Jerame Tuman for a 3-yard score, cutting the deficit to 27-21 with 12:28 remaining.
But the Browns wouldn't let the Steelers back in the game easily. They marched right down the field on their very next drive, and Holcomb threw his fourth touchdown pass of the game to Davis to give Cleveland a 33-21 advantage with 10:17 remaining. The Browns went for a 2-point conversion to make it a full two-touchdown advantage, but Deshea Townsend broke up the pass from Holcomb.
Time became a huge factor for the Steelers. The two teams traded punts, and the Steelers got the ball back and wound up driving down the field and scoring on a 5-yard touchdown catch by Hines Ward, closing the gap to 33-28, but with only 3:06 left in the game.
However, the Browns left the door wide open for the Steelers to pull off the comeback. Two incompletions on Cleveland's ensuing drive played a key role in punting the ball back to Pittsburgh, only taking 31 second off the clock. The Steelers drove down the field and eventually got down to the Browns' 3-yard line. On second and goal, the Steelers ran a draw to Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala and he cut through the Cleveland defense for a touchdown, capping the 17-point comeback. Then the Steelers ran a bit of trickery on the 2-point attempt, and Randle El wound up taking a direct snap and completing a pass to Tuman for a successful conversion, giving them a 36-33 lead with :58 remaining.
Cleveland got the ball back with no timeouts and drove down the field with a chance to get into field goal range. With :07 remaining, Holcomb found Andre King at the Pittsburgh 29-yard line and he tried to get out of bounds to stop the clock, the time ran out before he could get there. Pittsburgh held on after a miraculous comeback and advanced to the divisional round.
The longest-lasting legend from this game isn't the comeback itself, but it was the birth of Renegade. This was the first time Renegade by Styx was played, and it coincided with the comeback in the second half. It's become an anthem for the Steelers and the fan base, and now you can't go a fourth quarter during a home game without Renegade being played.
THE MAIN MATCHUP
We've talked about the Steelers' vastly improved running game. And they should do well against a bad Cleveland run defense (ranks 25th in the NFL). But, this will ultimately come down to how well the Steelers stop the Cleveland sixth-ranked rushing attack, specifically the duo of Chubb and Hunt.
"When you’re getting ready for Cleveland, man, you’ve got to respect their run game and specifically, Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt," Tomlin said. "They’ve got to be the top tandem in football, and they need no endorsement from me. Their tape and their resume speak to that. We’ve got to do a good job there. They won the attrition game last time we played. Fatigue became a factor as the game wore on."
Just as the Steelers have put themselves in more manageable third down attempts while running the ball successfully, that's what the Browns did when these teams met in Week 3.
"You could just look at the number of short-yardage opportunities they had in the second half. I think they were in third-and-1 five times in the second half. That just kind of speaks to how the game is going, not necessarily about third down or third-down conversions, but it speaks to efficient run game that puts you in manageable third downs. Somebody's in five third-and-ones in a half, you're not going to have a good half of play. You're not going to have a good half of play from a getting-off-the-field perspective, time-of-possession perspective, any of those discussions, because again, every time they get that yard, they get a new set of downs."
The Browns only converted six of 16 third down attempts in Week 3, but three of those five third-and-1 situations came on a second-half touchdown drive that gave Cleveland a 23-14 lead with 9:29 remaining.
The Steelers have been much more improved against the run since Week 3, ranking seventh in the NFL with 106.5 rushing yards allowed per game. They're also tied for fourth by allowing only 4.1 yards per carry this season. In totality and efficiency, this Steelers' run defense is vastly better than its 2021 counterpart.
There might not be any shut down of Chubb and Hunt. After all, Chubb is second in the NFL with 1,448 yards. But, the Steelers did recently hold Josh Jacobs, the league's leading rusher, to only 44 yards and 2.9 yards per carry in their Christmas Eve victory over the Raiders.
If the Steelers stand a chance of winning today, shutting down the Browns' run game has to be part of the formula.
TEN DATA POINTS
• When these teams met in Week 3, Pittsburgh possessed the ball for just 23:51. As stated earlier, the Steelers are now averaging 31:19 in time of possession, which is tied for fifth in the NFL.
• Cleveland surrenders 7.1 points per game in the fourth quarter. That ranks 26th in the NFL.
• In Baltimore, Pickett became the first rookie quarterback to throw a game-winning touchdown pass with less than one minute in the fourth quarter in back-to-back games. He has led four game-winning drives since Week 10, the most of any quarterback over that stretch.
• The Steelers' defense is allowing an average of just 16.9 points per game since the bye in Week 9.
• The Steelers are 7-2 this season when Watt plays. They are 1-6 without him.
• This season, Pat Freiermuth has joined Keith Jackson as the only tight ends in NFL history to have 60 catches in their first two seasons.
• Pittsburgh rushed for 198 yards in Baltimore last week. In the eight games leading up to that matchup, the Ravens had allowed a total of 577 yards on the ground. The Steelers' running game has never been stronger, and they need it this week.
• Harris is 46 yards away from 1,000 rushing yards this season. He ran for 1,200 yards in his rookie campaign in 2021.
• Pittsburgh has started the same five offensive linemen in every game this season.
• Watson's average time to throw is 3.2 seconds. That's the highest number among all qualifying quarterbacks. Last week, Watson was at 3.9 seconds, his longest of the season.
THE FANTASY CORNER
Coming off a hit or miss performance last week. What really hurts is I lost my fantasy football championship in the league I run. Looking for some consolation here. Here's my lineup for Week 18 (with a $50,000 salary cap on DraftKings):
• QB: Tom Brady, Buccaneers ($6,400)
• RB1: Dalvin Cook, Vikings ($7,300)
• RB2: Najee Harris, Steelers ($6,100)
• WR1: Chris Godwin, Buccaneers ($7,200)
• WR2: DK Metcalf, Seahawks ($6,700)
• WR3: Drake London, Falcons ($4,900)
• TE: Tyler Conklin, Jets ($3,600)
• FLEX: Jahan Dotson, Commanders ($4,500)
• DEF/ST: Steelers ($3,200)
