I’m a Browns fan and it’s the Steelers, I’m always watching. Cleveland hosts Pittsburg this Thursday night at Huntington Bank Stadium, 8:15pm EST. Last week the Steelers (8-2) beat the Ravens 18-16, and the Browns (2-8) lost to the Saints 35-14. Pittsburg is a 4.5-point favorite.

Browns Offense vs. Steelers Defense

Cleveland is ranked 31st in total offense (274.4 yards per game), 28th in passing offense (183.4 yards per game), 28th in rushing offense (91 yards per game) and 29th in scoring offense (16.4 points per game). Pittsburg is ranked 8th in total defense (302.7 yards per game, 19th in passing defense (215.6 yards per game), 4th in rushing defense (87.1 yards per game) and 2nd in scoring defense (16.2 points per game). The Browns offense showed signs of life against the Saints, however against a poor rushing defense, Cleveland gave up on the run too soon. Establishing a run game against the Steelers will be a tall task. Running back Nick Chubb showed more in New Orleans, but I would give the bulk of the carries to Jerome Ford. He’s averaging 4.9 per carry. If the run game can work, that’ll set up the play action which will help the long passing game. The Browns have the weapons for this to work, Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore, Cedric Tillman and David Njoku all had really good games against the Saints. Keep QB Jameis Winston clean and don’t turn the ball over and the Browns offense should work, but it will take more than 14 points to beat an excellent Pittsburg defense. Their front seven is probably the best in the league, even without Alex Highsmith who is expected to miss Thursday’s night game, and their pass defense is good as well. On defense, they have play makers all over the field.

Browns Defense vs. Steelers Offense

Cleveland is ranked 15th in total defense (328.2 yards per game), 13th in passing defense (205.7 yards per game), 14th in rushing defense (122.6 yards per game) and 21st in scoring defense (23.7 points per game). Pittsburg is ranked 18th in total offense (326.3 yards per game), 26th in passing offense (188 yards per game), 8th in rushing offense (138.3 yards per game) and 12th in scoring offense (23.9 points per game. Steeler head coach mike Tomlin is the best head coach in the AFC North, hands down. Pittsburg went into Baltimore and beat the Ravens without scoring a touchdown. That’s good coaching. The Steelers are 4-0 since QB Russell Wilson took over the starting position. He’s thrown for 942 yards, six touchdowns, two interceptions and a 60.3 completion percentage. Their led in rushing by Najee Harris with 708 rushing and three touchdowns and are lead in receiving by George Pickens with 728 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Wilson is a veteran quarterback with a quick release and his long passing game is what has rejuvenated the offense. The Browns must create pressure up the middle and on the outside. Stopping the run will help. Get Pittsburg in third and long situations. Cleveland has to get better safety play and must stop the big chunks plays that have plagued them the last two games.