Every five or six years, there comes a time that the Browns or Bengals think they're prime time players in the AFC North, ready to battle it out with the Steelers and Ravens in what has largely been a division dominated by those two teams.
The Bengals had a few shots at it in the past two decades, but proved to be not quite ready for prime time.
The Browns?
Well, they've felt relevant a few times here and there, but largely they've been an afterthought, a laughingstock.
But the Browns are off to a 4-1 start, their best since 1994. They feel they're ready to challenge the Steelers and Ravens for supremacy in the AFC North, despite losing to Baltimore, 38-6 in the regular season opener.
They will get a chance to prove that Sunday when they play the Steelers (4-0) at Heinz Field.
The Steelers, who are off to their best start since 1979, are looking at this as an important game. But in Cleveland, it's being viewed as a possible coming out party.
"This will be a defining game," Cleveland defensive end Myles Garrett said. "How the rest of the season plays out will probably rest on this game because of how important it plays out for who will be up in the division and who will fail."
Now, contrast that with how the Steelers are talking about this game, and you see the difference between the two teams. One expects to be battling for the division title and a playoff spot every year. The other, well, this is new territory.
Mike Tomlin has called it a "five-star matchup," but he says that every week because, well, the Steelers are playing in it.
"To be honest with you, from my perspective, I don't really think we pay attention to it," Vince Williams said of the division standings five weeks into the season. "We just know we have to go out there and whack the next opponent over the head."
Perhaps that was a poor choice of words by Williams. But given what happed between these two teams last season in their initial meeting in Cleveland, more than likely it was not.
Garrett ripped the helmet off Mason Rudolph in the closing moments of the Browns 21-7 win -- which would have been a big moment in their season -- and then bludgeoned him over the head with it, touching off a brawl that ended with 33 players being fined, Garrett being suspended for the remainder of the 2019 season -- six games -- Cleveland defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi getting a one-game suspension and Maurkice Pouncey being sidelined for two games.
A week later, Garrett said he went after Rudolph because the quarterback used a racial slur against him. He had an opportunity to back away from those claims -- which Rudolph and his teammates who were near the play vehemently denied -- but chose to double down in an interview with ESPN in the offseason following his reinstatement by the NFL.
Garrett has stated he'd be open to speaking to Rudolph about it someday, but he didn't sound Friday as if that'll happen this weekend. “Have not thought about it,” Garrett replied to a question on that. “Focused on how I'm going to get to Ben. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it, whether it’s down the road or whenever. … I'm just focused on the game plan and getting a win.”
The Steelers insist they aren't worried about the incident. After all, Rudolph is their backup quarterback and won't play Sunday, barring an injury to Ben Roethlisberger. And the Steelers exacted their "revenge" for the incident two weeks later when they beat the Browns at Heinz Field, 20-13.
"We're completely past it," Williams said. "What happened in 2019 was 2019. We have enough problems to deal with this year. We're not really looking back. We're not looking in the rearview mirror and worrying about what happened last year."
Contrast that to what the Browns said this week:
"This one's for Myles," said running back Kareem Hunt. "This one's for Cleveland. This one's for a lot of things."
Again, the Steelers been down this road before, having had heated battles with the Ravens and Bengals over the years. The Browns? Not so much.
Will that matter when the ball is kicked off just after 1 p.m. Sunday? Maybe, maybe not.
After all, it's a game played by human beings with a ball that isn't round. Crazy things can happen.
But history tells us the Steelers know how to handle these kind of things, while the Browns still have a lot to prove when it comes to being in big games. And perhaps more importantly, what happens after that game is played.
"(A win) can definitely energize the fans here," said Garrett. "The franchise has seen that (the Steelers) are a team that's ranked ahead of us right now in the AFC and in most of the rankings. So, if we can get a win there, most people will give us some respect. They'll see us as a legit team across the league. From then on, we'll have to prove it."
THE ESSENTIALS
• Who: Steelers (4-0) vs. Browns (4-1)
• When: 1:02 p.m.
• Where: Heinz Field
• Forecast: 63°, 0% chance rain
• TV: CBS, KDKA (local)
• Radio: 102.5 WDVE, ESPN Pittsburgh
• Streaming: Steelers Nation Radio
• Satellite: SiriusXM 83, Internet 225
• Boxscore: NFL Game Center
• Media notes: Steelers | Browns
THE INJURY REPORT
Steelers: WR Diontae Johnson (back, out), G David DeCastro (abdomen, out)
Browns: S Ronnie Harrison (concussion, out), S Karl Joseph (hamstring, out), G Wyatt Teller (calf, out), LB Jacob Phillips (knee, out), P Jamie Gillan (groin, questionable), WR Odell Beckham (illness, questionable), WR Jarvis Landry (ribs/hip, questionable), DE Olivier Vernon (groin, questionable), DR Larry Ogunjobi (abdomen, questionable), QB Baker Mayfield (ribs, questionable)
DKPS
Cam Heyward talks to the Browns' Baker Mayfield after their game in Cleveland in 2019.
THE KEY VARIABLE
The Browns invested heavily in their line in the offseason, using a first-round draft pick -- the 10th overall -- on Alabama offensive tackle Jedrick Wills and then signed former Titans' right tackle Jack Conklin to a three-year, $42-million deal.
It's not that the Browns hadn't tried moves like this before. After all, they gave former Steelers offensive tackle Chris Hubbard a five-year, $36.5-million contract in free agency in 2018.
But in this case, it seems they finally might have gotten it right.
"Their tackles have been playing big for them," said Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward said. "They're mean, nasty guys that finish plays. That's what you want out of your tackles."
Mayfield was sacked 40 times in 2019. This season, that number is down to seven in the first five games, putting him on pace to be taken down just 22 times.
More importantly, the Browns are running the ball effectively. Cleveland is leading the league in rushing at 188.4 yards per game. Last season, they averaged 118.8 yards per game.
"They have a good running game. They have good players on the offensive side of the ball," said linebacker Devin Bush. "We've been working on our disciplines and playing our defenses at the right time, executing at the right time and doing what we can to eliminate those big runs. That's the biggest thing, being able to combat that run and being able to play those three hard downs and not let them run the whole game. You want to focus on their run game. Their run game is really, really big."
That line will be tested this week against the Steelers. The Steelers rank second in the NFL against the run, allowing 64 yards per game. They lead the league in percentage of runs that are stopped for no gain or a loss at 33 percent.
But that's hardly the only way the Steelers will test an offensive line. Their 20 sacks are tied for the league lead despite already having had their bye. And their 50 quarterback hits also lead the NFL.
The Steelers are hitting opposing quarterbacks at an alarming rate, especially for Mayfield, who is questionable to play with a rib injury that left him unable to practice fully this week until Friday.
"I'm not a doctor. I'm not going to sit here and tell you I know how bruised up he is. At the end of the day, I'm just trying to inflict good punishment. As a D-line and as a defense, you want to make sure he's thinking about the rush.
"We play a physical game. He's going to come out here and try to be a warrior for his team, but it's up to us to make him think about that injury during the game."
The Browns took that comment from Heyward as a challenge of sorts.
"We've got to protect our quarterback," Browns guard Joel Bitonio said. "I don't think everybody says it every week, but guys are trying to get after the quarterback in this league. They want to get after him. They want to hit him and get him off his landmarks, and it's our job up front to stop them. It's a challenge.
"They put a challenge out and we've got to handle our business and do what we can to protect Baker at all costs."
THE HISTORY LESSON
The last time the Steelers and Browns played in Pittsburgh with both teams at least three games over .500 came all the way back in Week 16 of the 1994 season.
It's at that Dec. 18, 1994 game at which we will look back at today.
The Steelers had beaten the Browns 17-10 in Cleveland in Week 2 to even their record at 1-1, while also knocking the Browns to 1-1. By the time Week 16 rolled around, the Steelers were 11-3 and the Browns were 10-4. Needless to say, it was a big game in the AFC Central standings.
The Steelers came out humming against Bill Belichick's defense, scoring on their first two possessions to take a 14-0 lead. Neil O'Donnell hit Yancey Thigpen on a 40-yard touchdown, and Barry Foster got into the end zone from 1-yard out on the Steelers' second possession for a 14-0 lead.
But that's where the score stayed until Vinny Testaverde threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Mark Carrier with 10 seconds remaining in the first half to make it 14-7.
That would be as close as it would get as the Steelers defense completely shut the Browns down in the second half, turning the Browns over twice on downs, intercepting Testaverde once and recovering a Leroy Hoard fumble on the opening possession of the second half.
Gary Anderson tacked on a field goal in the third quarter as the Steelers won 17-7 in the second of three meetings between the two teams that season. They would play again three weeks later in the Divisional Playoffs, with the Steelers winning that one, 29-9, to advance to the AFC Championship.
O'Donnell finished just 10 of 18 passing for 175 yards and a touchdown, with Thigpen catching four passes for 74 yards. Foster had 32 carries for 106 yards and a touchdown.
Testaverde was 21 of 42 for 250 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions as the Browns turned the ball over three times.
Linebacker Chad Brown and safety Gary Jones had the interceptions for the Steelers, while Rod Woodson recorded the sack.
THE MAIN MATCHUP
Roethlisberger hasn't just been a Browns killer over the course of his career. He owns the Browns.
Cleveland passed on selecting Roethlisberger, an Ohio native, in the 2004 draft, instead taking tight end Kellen Winslow. That allowed Roethlisberger to fall to the Steelers with the 11th selection in the draft and he's been making them pay for it ever since.
The Browns haven't won in Pittsburgh since 2003, the year before Roethlisberger was selected, and he owns a 23-2-1 record against them, his best against any team. It's comparable to Tom Brady's 32-3 record against the Bills.
"It’s just one of those things. They’re in our division, so we want to play hard against them," Roethlisberger said of his record against the Browns. "I’ve been a part of some really good football teams that have helped us win games against a lot of opponents."
But Roethlisberger missed the 2019 matchups between the two teams, which they split, with the Browns winning in Cleveland and the Steelers taking the game at Heinz Field. But he's returned from a surgery to repair three torn flexor tendons in his right elbow and is off to perhaps the best start of his career.
Roethlisberger has a 10-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio and is completing a career-best 69.9 percent of his passes. His passer rating of 110.4 is the best of his Hall of Fame career.
"I think he's playing at the top of his game," said Steelers cornerback Joe Haden, who spent the first seven years of his career lining up opposite Roethlisberger while with the Browns. "He's a coach out there on the field. He has been in so many different situations. He just gets it. Having so much talent around him ... it's all coming together. And he's playing lights out football. He's comfortable, controlled and running the offense very, very well."
The Browns are allowing 296.4 passing yards per game, which is 30th in the NFL, and have given up 12 touchdown passes, which is tied for the second-most. They'll also be playing with a pair of backup safeties in Andrew Sendejo and Sheldrick Redwine.
But Cleveland, while porous, has been opportunistic on defense, forcing a league-best 12 turnovers. Six of those have come via interceptions, while Garrett leads the league in forced fumbles with three.
The Browns are moving Garrett all over the defensive formation this year to get him matched up on perceived weaknesses and to keep opposing offenses from zeroing in on him. With the Steelers' starting a relatively inexperienced right side of the line with Chuks Okorafor at right tackle and and rookie Kevin Dotson subbing for DeCastro at right guard, it won't be surprising to see him on that side of the formation quite a bit.
It will be up to Roethlisberger and the offense to recognize where Garrett is and neutralize him. Of course, Roethlisberger is getting rid of the ball in an NFL-low 2.3 seconds per passing play, so even if the Steelers don't block Garrett well, he still might not hit home.
"Just looking at them across the board, obviously (they're) well-coached," said the Browns' first-year head coach, Kevin Stefanski. "(I have) a ton of respect for that coaching staff (and) what they do on offense. They have Big Ben, who is playing just great. He is so comfortable in that scheme. They have playmakers across the board. (And) they're really good up front."
While Cleveland is averaging 31.2 points per game, the Browns are allowing 29.8. The Steelers should have opportunities to score.
They just need to take care of the ball. And that starts with Roethlisberger.
His mental game has been strong this season and he's not put the ball in harm's way. According to Pro Football Focus, Roethlisberger has thrown just two passes this season that have been interceptable.
"Coming back from an injury and not playing last year, I was a little worried about my play and what was going to happen," he said. "My biggest concern is not letting the team down and losing the game for them. I’m just glad we’re winning football games. Sometimes when you get to this age, in life and in football, you have to find ways to win the game mentally as well, so that’s what I’m trying to do."
THE TEN DATA POINTS
• The Steelers are 13-0 at home (7-5-1 ATS) against the Browns under Tomlin.
• Despite scoring five touchdowns this season, Claypool has yet to receive a target in the end zone.
• Mayfield is 28th in the league in dropbacks per game at 32.8.
• The Browns are 29th in receptions per game allowed to opposing tight ends at 6.6 per game. They also have allowed a touchdown to a tight end in three of five games.
• James Conner has handled 69 percent of the Steelers' snaps at running back the past three games.
• The Steelers tied a franchise record last week with their third straight game with at least five sacks. They also accomplished that feat in the 2017-18 seasons and in 1982.
• The Steelers have won 112 home games since opening Heinz Field in 2001. The Browns have won 100 games total in that same time period. The Steelers are 78-29 under Tomlin at Heinz Field.
• Roethlisberger is tied with John Elway (148) for the fifth-most regular season wins in NFL history.
• A win would give the Steelers their fourth home victory this season, extending their NFL-best streak to 21 seasons in a row with at least four home wins.
• Roethlisberger is 30-9 in his career at home against the AFC North with 9,998 passing yards, 65 touchdowns and 39 interceptions. He's 11-0 against the Browns at home in 12 games. He came off the bench early in the first quarter in a 2015 win over Cleveland. Overall, he's thrown 24 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions in those games.
THE FANTASY CORNER
Another decent week, as we posted 141.32 points with Teddy Bridgewater, Mike Davis, D.K. Metcalf and Devonta Freeman all performing well. As I did last year, I'm going to build a fantasy lineup using Draft Kings and a $50,000 salary cap.
Quarterback: Kurt Cousins, Vikings ($6,100) -- Going with a Vikings-heavy stack against the Falcons.
Running back: David Montgomery, Bears ($5,800), Alexander Mattison, Vikings ($7,200) -- Mattison should be fantasy gold against the Falcons subbing for injured Dalvin Cook this week. Montgomery has been catching passes and anyone who starts in the backfield against the Panthers scores.
Wide receiver: DeAndre Hopkins, Texans ($8,200), Adam Thielen, Vikings ($7,300), Chase Claypool, Steelers ($5,200) -- I think Hopkins might be the wide receiver start of the season this week, while Thielen matches up with Cousins in a shootout. I don't expect Claypool to go off like he did last week, but with Diontae Johnson out, he should get six or seven targets and produce solid numbers again.
Tight end: Irv Smith ($2,500) -- The Falcons have been terrible against tight ends this season and Smith got 64 percent of the snaps at the position for the Vikings last week while catching four passes. He's a nice sleeper play.
Flex: Devonta Freeman, Giants ($4,900) -- I don't expect a lot of scoring between the Giants and Redskins, but Freeman is getting more touches each week.
Defense: Titans ($2,800) -- Saving money on defense this week to pay up for some studs makes a lot of sense. And Deshaun Watson will take some sacks.
Our football staff predicts the game:
Dale Lolley (4-0): Are the Browns ready to break through? Perhaps. But you have to do more than just talk about it. You have to do it on the field. And the fact they're still concerned with "revenge" for Garrett shows immaturity. (Revenge for what, by the way? Rudolph's head getting in the way of Garrett swinging his helmet at it?) The Steelers have what it takes to slow Cleveland's running game, and if they do that and put the ball in the hands of Mayfield, history has shown he'll make mistakes. The Browns are also all kinds of banged up. The Steelers are missing some key guys, as well, but not as many as the Browns, who aren't nearly as deep. Tuitt should have his way with Hubbard at right guard, for example. One thing to watch: The Browns rank 31st in special teams, according to Football Outsiders. The Steelers are 11th. Steelers, 30-23
Chris Carter (4-0): Both of the Browns' starting safeties, Harrison and Joseph, are out. That means Roethlisberger can pick apart the middle of the field, and it might result in a big day for Claypool again. Roethlisberger can neutralize the best part of Cleveland's defense, its pass rush, with a quick passing game that hits at the soft spots of a group that's still figuring things out this year. Defensively, the Steelers need a big game out of Bush to shut down Hunt, then put the game on Mayfield. Steelers, 31-23
Ramon Foster (4-0): I've got Pittsburgh because of the defense. I do think this will be high-scoring, but I trust the Steelers' linebackers to keep Baker from rolling out, throwing from the sideline ... that's what you've got to stop. That and Landry. He's a guy who always keeps the chains moving. If they're able to keep him from converting third downs, that'll be huge. Also, I like Pittsburgh's O-line better. (Of course, I'm a homer!) Steelers, 34-24
Tom Reed (4-0): The Browns have been front-runners during their four-game winning streak. They have trailed for just 30:03 in the 240 minutes of play. It's allowed Stefanski to cut Mayfield's steak in small pieces for him. If the Steelers can build a lead, they can force Mayfield to try to win the game through the air. That's when Cleveland figures to be most vulnerable. The Browns are improving, but expect form to hold at Heinz Field in a close game. Steelers, 27-24
Dejan Kovacevic (4-0): This one's had me more uneasy than it does in this moment, though that's subject to change. See I find it impossible to get past the Browns potentially having their top four offensive weapons -- Mayfield, Landry, Beckham, Nick Chubb -- all being banged up, sick or out. To say nothing of the Browns missing multiple players on defense, too. That's asking too much damage control. But we'll see. For now, Steelers, 30-16