We’re going to change it up today. Writing is a bit like game-planning. Don’t want show the same look every week.
I will offer some thoughts from the Steelers’ 38-29 win over the Eagles, but I know lots of fans already are looking forward to the showdown with the 4-1 Browns. So today’s column is a little of last week and a little of this week. Think of it as my version of Cover 2.
The victory over the Eagles came with a sense of relief. We’ve historically played down to some lesser teams, and the Eagles arrived in Pittsburgh with a 1-2-1 record. I’m not saying the Eagles aren’t a decent team, but their record suggests otherwise.
During my playing days, I remember losing to a bad Jets squad, and also traveling to Oakland and getting beaten by Terrelle Pryor and the Raiders. Yes, we were expected to win those games, but sometimes upsets occur. Look at the Raiders going to Kansas City and knocking off Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs on Sunday.
We only play the Eagles once every four years during the regular season, and there’s always some added pressure because of the intrastate rivalry between the fan bases.
(Hey, DK, when’s the last time the Flyers won the Stanley Cup? Sorry, I couldn’t resist!)
The Eagles game carried some extra incentive because of Javon Hargrave’s return to Pittsburgh. He’s a player who’s as solid as any nose tackle in the league. His pay and play reflect that. I’m sure there was a some back-and-forth banter between Hargrave and Cam Heyward because those guys are good friends. They root for each other even if they aren’t on the same team.
But between the lines, it’s all business. You know Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro, Matt Feiler and Alejandro Villanueva — who watched Hargrave mature as a player — did not want to let him excel with his new team. He finished with four tackles and a half sack.
That’s a dangerous defensive front and it includes Malik Jackson and Fletcher Cox. Jackson has had some success against us as a member of the Broncos and Jaguars. Cox is a five-time Pro Bowler. How do you counteract such threats? Well, the offensive line held its own despite losing DeCastro. The other factor was Ben Roethlisberger making quick reads and throws. Big Ben averaged 2.26 seconds per pass — that’s his fourth-quickest time since 2016, according to NextGen Stats. In the second half, the average dropped to 2.05, which didn’t allow for a single QB pressure on his 16 attempts.
You guys didn’t know I was such a numbers nerd, did you?
The Steelers aren’t blowing out opponents, but they are showing the ability to finish out games. We’re 4-0 for the first time since 1979, and we proved we could adjust to an unexpected — and unwanted — bye week.
The schedule will get tougher and feature some big divisional games. Everyone knows Baltimore will be a challenge. They won’t admit it, but they should have the nickname “Steelers 2.0.” Those Steelers-Ravens games are like watching Loki and Thor battle. Everyone wants to see it, and rarely does it disappoint.
Lamar Jackson made a statement after a recent loss to Kansas City that I found interesting. When asked what the Chiefs did to stop him, he said, “Looks like the same thing the Titans did.” If you’re a true student of the game, you know that’s a Mike Tomlin and Keith Butler game plan that was used against Lamar and the Ravens.
Now, let’s get to the next test because it’s one that merits concern. For the longest time we’ve said, “How can the Browns get so many high first-round picks and still suck?” Well, it looks like they finally have established a winning identity under new coach Kevin Stefanski.
Obviously, Myles Garrett is the headliner. He’s recorded six sacks, and is playing like a No. 1 overall pick. He’s putting up numbers even as opponents are looking to chip him and double team him.
Then, of course, there’s what happened at the end of last year’s game in Cleveland when Garrett ripped off Mason Rudolph’s helmet and struck him in the head. I hope there’s no hangover from that ugly incident. The best thing for the Steelers is to not get caught up in the hype, and just focus on earning the “W.”
By the way, I know Mason didn’t say what Garrett accused him of saying. I’ll just leave it at that.
Offensively, the Browns are humming. They are averaging an AFC-best 31.2 points per game. Baker Mayfield seems to be operating within the parameters of his ability and a run-heavy offense. The Steelers are catching a break with Nick Chubb sidelined due to a knee injury, but the Browns still have a formidable group of weapons. There’s Odell Beckham, Jarvis Landry, Kareem Hunt and Austin Hooper.
The Browns have cracked the code on building a good team. Their offensive line is stacked with high-paid free agents and draft picks. Despite Hunt’s off-field issues, he’s a really good multi-purpose back. The friendship of OBJ and Landry is now paying dividends on the field. Each has the ability to throw the ball, a wrinkle the Steelers no doubt have seen on film.
This is a matchup that deserves a primetime audience. It’s weird to talk of the AFC North as a three-team race, but here we are.
As you can tell, I’m looking forward to this game. I hope you are, too.