Division opponents play each other twice -- and sometimes three times -- per season. There aren't a lot of ways to fool each other.
They spend the offseason scheming ways and acquiring personnel to beat each other. Then, once games are played, they have a laser-like focus on beating their division opponents.
There aren't any secrets -- except one.
Injuries and gamesmanship with the injury report is the one variable that can play havoc with those plans.
And it could be for the Steelers (3-3) this week when it comes to facing the Browns (4-3) in Cleveland.
Cleveland had 19 players on its injury report heading into its last game Oct. 21 against the Broncos, a game the Browns won, 17-14. And that doesn't even include the 12 players the Browns have on injured reserve, including running back Kareem Hunt and linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramah, who were placed on that list before the game against the Broncos.
The Steelers are coming off their bye week and are as healthy as they've been in weeks. Even 39-year-old quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who has been listed on the injury report each week with chest and then hip issues, is feeling better.
"Very," Roethlisberger said Wednesday when asked if the bye week came at a good time for him "It was very nice to have some time to rest, relax and get it back."
And while the Browns haven't played since last Thursday, they're still dealing with some of those injury issues, though they're expected to get star running back Nick Chubb, who has missed the past two games with a knee injury, back for this game.
Or are they?
Chubb returned to practice Monday, but played coy with the media when he spoke to them Wednesday regarding his status for Sunday's game, saying, "I hope so," when asked if he would play this week. "We'll see how this week goes."
Maybe that was an honest answer, but the Steelers most certainly expect to see Chubb. What they don't know exactly is who will line up at quarterback. And with Chubb -- who is averaging just over 100 rushing yards per game -- back, it might not matter.
Baker Mayfield, who has been dealing a torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder for most of the season, missed the game against the Broncos after aggravating the injury the previous week against the Cardinals. Case Keenum started in his place.
Wednesday, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Mayfield would take the starter's reps in practice. But Mayfield also noted that Keenum, a 10-year veteran, can be ready if needed.
"There is not a certain number of reps I specifically need," Mayfield said Wednesday. "You saw last week that Case on a short week got very minimum reps, as well, and did absolutely great. I think there are a lot of ‘what ifs,’ but we are just going not take it day by day.”
The Steelers expect to see Mayfield and Chubb. After all, this is an AFC North game between two bitter rivals.
"I like Baker Mayfield," said Steelers cornerback Joe Haden, who missed the final two meetings between these two teams last season while on the COVID-19 list. "I think he's a little better than Case Keenum. He has a little more arm strength. Besides that, they're really a run-first team. Their offensive line is unreal. And the backs behind them are amazing.
"The key thing in stopping the Browns is not just stopping Baker. It's winning first and second downs and putting them in third and long. But it's tough winning those downs because they run the ball so well. We have to stop the run and hopefully get them into situations where T.J. (Watt) and the rest of those guys can get after him."
The biggest difference between Mayfield and Keenum is their aggressiveness. Mayfield is averaging a very healthy 8.5 yards per pass attempt this season. Keenum is at 5.7.
And Mayfield, the top pick in the 2018 draft, has been more of a scrambler in his career, though the injury is certainly affecting that. In his last three starts, Mayfield has rushed for 11, 8 and 8 yards.
He admits to being more selective on his running because of the shoulder issue.
"Just protect myself and slide when I need to," Mayfield said on what he's been told.
Regardless of how the Browns play this out, the Steelers will continue to simply prepare for the Browns offense. And they know that includes plenty of running followed by some play-action throws.
If they don't stop Chubb and the running game, it won't matter who is at quarterback. The Steelers have to stop that first and keep the ball in front of them.
"I think it's just really disciplined eyes and knowing whether their receivers are blocking and making sure they're not getting over our head," said Haden. "It's eyes and keys."
In that respect, the Broncos didn't do the job up front keeping the Browns from running the ball. Even without Chubb -- and Hunt -- Cleveland ran the ball 33 times for 182 yards, mainly by third-string back D'Ernest Johnson.
Keenum attempted 33 passes, completing 21 for 199 yards.
Allow the Browns to have that kind of offensive balance, and it won't matter who is at quarterback.
It's a mix that doomed the Steelers in their 48-37 playoff loss to the Browns last season. Miscues that Cleveland capitalized on early allowed the Browns to jump out to a 28-0 lead. After that, they could run or pass at will.
Cleveland ran the ball 31 times and threw it 34 in that game. Mayfield threw for 263 yards and three touchdowns. Chubb gained 74 yards on 18 carries and had four catches for 69 yards and a touchdown, a 40-yarder down the sideline.
The Steelers don't want to see that kind of balance again.
"I think that's what really stood out to me watching their last game, they didn't lose their personality at all," Mike Tomlin said. "A solid veteran quarterback who's been a part of the program like Case has provides that opportunity for them. We're not overly concerned right now with who their quarterback might be. We're looking at what it is they do collectively, their run game, their coordinated play-action and misdirection passing game, and how to utilize all the people that they distribute the ball to. We’ve got some big-time challenges in that way."
