Pittsburgh Steelers Vs. Cleveland Browns: Previewing The Opening Weekend Matchup
Dec 30, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Ben Roethlisberger(7) throws a pass against the Cleveland Browns during the first half of the game at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Sunday afternoon the Pittsburgh Steelers kick off the 2014 season against old-time rivals, the Cleveland Browns.
Both teams spent the off-season attempting to fix their 2013 season inadequacies, then went an uninspiring 1-3 in preseason. Will the changes they made be enough to put on good show Sunday?
RUSHING IN A NEW SEASON
In 2013 the Steelers’ rushing offense continued their dreadful production, contributing just nine rushing touchdowns, which landed them in the bottom quarter of the NFL. They ranked in the bottom of rushing yards for the year as well—and that’s with the addition of their second-round 2013 draft pick Le’Veon Bell, starting 14 games.
Thanks to the addition of offensive line coach (and Hall of Fame left guard and former Penn State player) Mike Munchak, there is reason to hope Bell will have a more productive offensive line to run behind. Munchak brought his successful zone-blocking schemes to the playbook. Newly added power back LeGarrette Blount has shown a knack for finding the end zone. He had seven rushing TDs in limited action as a New England Patriot last year.
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The Browns, too, used free agency and the draft to steady their offensive plan. They added former Houston Texan, Ben Tate, and third-round draft pick Terrance West from Towson. The Browns also plan to employ more zone-blocking under new offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan.
The biggest questions in Cleveland are not only who should be the quarterback but who the quarterbacks are throwing to. They picked up receivers Miles Austin and Andrew Hawkins, but neither have the talent of suspended receiver Josh Gordon. The Browns won’t abandon the passing game, but after watching the Steelers defense continue to struggle stopping the run this preseason, Shanahan likely will attack the Steelers on the ground.
Expect to see the Browns run behind Pro Bowl center Alex Mack and left tackle Joe Thomas. Mack is sandwiched beside two less experienced guards, John Greco and rookie Joel Bitonio, but the running game is the Browns most obvious advantage this Sunday.
ROETHLISBERGER’S REVENGE
Ben Roethlisberger has a 9-0 record at home against the Browns—payback for the team who selected Kellen Winslow, Jr., instead of their hometown fan in the 2004 draft.
Outside of his longtime teammates tight end Heath Miller and wide receiver Antonio Brown, Roethlisberger will be working with three new receivers in their revamped offense. With Brown matched against Pro Bowl corner Joe Hayden, Roethlisbeger will need Marcus Wheaton, Darrius Heyward-Bey, and even rookie RB/WR Dri Archer to get open.
It’s an offense like the Browns’, with unknown potential and speed. Brown will not be ignored just because he is matched against Hayden, but offensive coordinator Todd Haley will need to create multiple ways to move the ball. Haley’s biggest decision will be which three receivers will start.
Due to the injury to Lance Moore, Haley will need to decide if Wheaton will continue to stay on the outside or move to the slot . The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Wheaton continued to struggle in preseason with blocking assignments and getting open. He has great hands but Roethlisberger had trouble finding him.
Heyward-Bey could move to the outside, where he played very well in the preseason. His 6-2 stature and 4.3-4.4 speed with Wheaton in the slot may be a better lineup than Wheaton on the outside alongside mediocre slot receiver Justin Brown.
With as much transition as these teams have undergone, Sunday’s outcome is tough to predict. The way Roethlisberger has dominated the Browns in the past and the improvements in Steelers offensive line gives an edge to the Steelers offense.
Will it be a rerun of Roethlisberger’s dominance or a surprise ending (a win) for the visiting Browns?
GAME PREDICTION: 27-13 STEELERS over BROWNS