The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the midst of the 2024 regular season, and with it being the team’s latest game fans’ hopes remain high heading into the second half of the season. The hope is there is a winning performance on the horizon on Thursday in Week 12 when the team travels to play the Cleveland Browns.

What exactly do the Steelers need to do to on defense to claim their ninth victory of 2024? Let’s break it down…

Defense

Stop the run

In the offensive keys to victory I talked about sucking the life out of Cleveland. What I meant there was imposing your will on the ground. The opposite is true for the defense. If the Steelers want to definitively dominate the Browns, it all starts with stopping the run. On paper, the Steelers certainly have the upper hand in this regard.

• Pittsburgh Rush Defense Yards Per Game: 90.8 (4th)
• Cleveland Rush Offense Yards Per Game: 88.5 (29th)

If the Steelers are able to stop Nick Chubb and company, it will force the offense into obvious passing situations. In this regard, the Steelers can pin their ears back…

Get after the QB

Forcing the Browns into obvious passing situations helps the defense take advantage of a banged up offensive line. The Browns will be down to their 3rd string left tackle, and they are a team who has surrendered the most sacks in the league heading into Week 12.

• Cleveland Sacks Surrendered: 46 (1st)
• Pittsburgh Defensive Sacks: 24 (Bottom 3rd)

If there was ever a game where the Steelers could benefit from a “sack party”, it would be this week. The Steelers aren’t sacking the quarterback at a ridiculous clip, but this game seems like one where T.J. Watt and company might impose their will on the Browns banged up offensive line.

Take it away

The Browns don’t necessarily turn the ball over more than most, but they absolutely will take risks. With Jameis Winston at the helm, he is not afraid to try and thread the proverbial needle. The Browns turnovers this season match up well with the Steelers defense.

• Cleveland Turnovers: 12 (8 INTs, 4 Fumbles)
• Pittsburgh Takeaways: 19 (11 INT, 8 FR)

The Steelers aren’t just taking the ball away, but they are protecting the ball as well. In terms of turnover differential, they are sporting the second best number in the NFL.

• Pittsburgh Turnover Differential: +11 (2nd)

More importantly, could this be the game Minkah Fitzpatrick gets an interception? It’s been well over one season since Fitzpatrick has gotten his hands on a football, maybe Fitzpatrick breaks his dry spell in prime time.

I talk about this, and MUCH more on the “Let’s Ride”, and you can hear that podcast in the player below this article. In the meantime, be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the team as they gear up for game time!