Next opponent: Browns look the part of an AFC North contender

FORNEY, Texas -- The Steelers were dealt a humbling reality check that the 2023 season won't be as easy as the preseason. And, things don't get much easier with the Browns coming to town for Monday Night Football.

Here's a snapshot of what Cleveland brings into Week 2:

CLEVELAND BROWNS

Record: 1-0 
Standing: First, AFC North
Last result: Won over Bengals, 24-3

THE TREND

The Browns made a serious case for themselves against any doubters in Week 1. Not only did they defeat the favorites to win the division, Kevin Stefanski's squad did it in dominating fashion.

Unsurprisingly, the Browns dominated time of possession with 206 yards on the ground, 106 of those by feature back Nick Chubb. However, they also stymied as high-powered Bengals offense, holding Joe Burrow to a jaw-dropping 82 passing yards and a 45.2 completion percentage. Perhaps Ja'Marr Chase's dismissal of the Browns by referring to them as "elves" was the only bulletin board material the Browns needed to send a message that they aren't a joke.

"They wanted to prove a point," Deshaun Watson said of the Browns' defense after the game. "So I know they handled what they needed to handle. Those guys are fired up. They bring the swagger. They bring the energy, and I think we’ve seen that today."

More important, the Browns made it clear with their play that this isn't a team to be taken lightly. The AFC North is perhaps the most competitive division in the NFL this season, and, based off Week 1 performances, the Browns asserted themselves as the most dangerous team in the division.

THE QUARTERBACK

Considering all the things the Browns did right against the Bengals, Watson's performance might have been the most underwhelming.

Unlike his first year in Cleveland, Watson finally came into the season without too much distraction from his off-the-field issues. More important, he came into the season at the helm right away, not sitting out serving a lengthy suspension. That gave him and the offense ample time to assert their identity right away.

However, Watson's performance was more of a deterrent more than anything else. He contributed 45 yards and a touchdown run on five carries, but his passing left a lot to be desired. He completed 16 of 29 passes for only 154 yards, one touchdown and a very, very ugly interception:

Pro Football Focus didn't love Watson's performance either, and his 63.1 passing grade ranked 17th of 32 quarterbacks in Week 1. There were far too many plays in which he flat out didn't see open receivers, and his footwork in the pocket was, at times, even worse than what we saw from Kenny Pickett in Week 1.

Watson still shows no sign of being the quarterback that led the NFL in passing in 2020. However, his mobility is still something the Steelers have to respect defensively. And that makes him a bit of a handful, despite all of his flaws as a passer.

THE OFFENSE

The strength of Cleveland's offense resides in the running game. Not only is this a team that wants to run the football, they have the personnel to do it, though it's not quite as dynamic as it was a season ago.

Chubb is one of the best running backs in the league. He's the bell cow, and he'll always get the lion's share of the carries. His vision and explosiveness can give defenses fits:

When it comes to the scouting report, everything begins with Chubb. As Tomlin said Tuesday, "If we're doing anything in this football game, man, we've got to work to minimize that guy's impact." They don't have a Kareem Hunt to back him up anymore, but it's still a dangerous rushing attack.

Of course, teams can't have an effective run game without a stout offensive line. Left guard Joel Bitonio is a two-time All Pro and the anchor of the unit. Center Ethan Pocic is a solid piece as well. Jack Conklin is usually a solid option at right tackle, but he's now out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury. Rookie Dawand Jones -- a house at 6-foot-8, 374 pounds -- will now step in for Conklin. And, before anyone questions how Jones or any other parts of the Browns' offensive line can perform, remember Cleveland has Bill Callahan as its offensive line coach, who's one of the best in the game.

The Browns also have enough weapons in the passing game to keep defenses honest. Amari Cooper is the leader at receiver, and he was a problem for the Steelers in 2022, combining for nine catches, 152 yards and a touchdown in both games. Donovan Peoples-Jones is another threat at receiver, and Elijah Moore can be used in the passing and running games. David Njoku is also a handful at tight end, so the Steelers have plenty to keep them busy on top of what Chubb and the running game can do on the ground.

THE DEFENSE

It's a new era for the Browns' defense, as they hired Jim Schwartz to be their new coordinator. And, with a dominant victory over the Bengals, the Browns' defense looks a bit stronger than it did last season.

Much like the Steelers, the Browns are very solid on the edge up front. Myles Garrett is one of the best edge rushers in the game, and the Browns went out and added Za'Darius Smith in the offseason. The Steelers know Smith from his days with the Ravens, and he's got three double-digit sack seasons under his belt.

The Browns aren't as strong with their interior linemen, although Dalvin Tomlinson was a fine addition in the offseason. Jordan Elliott has progressively worsened during his four-year career, so they are a bit weaker in the middle. However, the Browns have a way to mix things up, highlighted by moving Garrett around. He even lined up right over the center against the Bengals, and practicing his crossover while doing so didn't deter him from forcing a sack:

The true strength of the Browns' defense lies in the hands of Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome at cornerback. Tomlin even went as far to mention that they "won the game" for the Browns in Week 1. When these two shut things down on the outside, it has massive ripple effects that make the whole Cleveland defense better. And, not having Diontae Johnson available this week only weakens the Steelers' ability to beat those guys.

The weakest part of the Browns' defense is at the second level with their linebackers and safeties, however Grant Delpit had one heck of a game in coverage against Cincinnati. There is certainly continuity with Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Anthony Walker Jr. and Sione Takitaki, and Schwartz could certainly change the scheme up a bit to strengthen the second level of the Cleveland defense. But, as long as Ward and Newsome do what they do on the outside, it makes everything easier for the linebackers and safeties, in terms of repsonsibility, especially against the run.

THE SPECIAL TEAMS

Jerome Ford handles the kick returns and Peoples-Jones handles punt return duties. Kicker Dustin Hopkins got his season off to a good start, making all three of his field goal attempts, with a long of 43 yards. Corey Bojorquez punted seven times last week, but averaged 47.3 yards per punt, had a long of 66 yards and placed three punts inside the 20.

THE INJURY REPORT

• Jack Conklin, OT (knee) -- Tore his ACL and MCL in the season opener and was placed on injured reserve this week. It's a big blow for the Cleveland offensive line, no doubt. Now, Jones get his opportunity.

• Juan Thornhill, S (calf) -- Thornhill was inactive in Week 1, and he's questionable for Monday night. He is the starting free safety, so his absence is a blow to the middle of the defense. Rodney McLeod stepped in for Thornhill against the Bengals, but earned only a 56.1 grade by PFF, which ranked 58th of 78 safeties in Week 1.

• Amari Cooper, WR (groin) -- Cooper didn't have any issues until Saturday's practice, where he apparently injured his groin. He's listed as questionable, which certainly indicates some concern over his availability Monday night. Cooper's absence would be a significant blow to the Browns' receiving corps as he's the No. 1 guy.

• Siaka Ika, DT (foot) -- Ika is listed as questionable, but he didn't practice all week long. That's typically not a great sign for game availability. Ika's not one of the starting interior linemen, but his absence would further weaken one of the weakest areas of the Browns' roster. 

• Alex Wright, DE (knee) -- He was a limited participant in two days of practice last week, but had no injury designation heading into the victory over the Bengals. He's one of the first men up on the edge, especially for Smith.

QUOTABLE

"T.J. is a great player and Dawand's a competitor. So, it's just going to be one of those days where just come out and compete and play ball and have fun." -- Browns' center Ethan Pocic on Dawand Jones facing T.J. Watt in his first NFL start

"I remember last year when we lost to the Jets and then we played them the next week at home -- a night game -- and we ended up winning. I'm sure that's their same mindset. We understand that. We understand it's going to be a hostile environment. We're preparing every day to go up there and be ready for them." -- Nick Chubb on facing the Steelers

"He's a huge part of this team, and when he gets this surgery and when he's ready, he's going to be back in this building helping us because he's just, again, a big part of that offensive line room. You guys know how tight that room is just for this team, what he provides. So, disappointed for him." -- Kevin Stefanski on losing Jack Conklin for the season