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Steelers-Browns: Live chat, updates and analysis
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Brian Batko
11:00
Hey everyone, hope you had a great week. Saturday night was not so great for the Steelers, with the Ravens running through the Packers, but all that is moot if they take care of business today by the lake.
Jason
11:01
This should be a "gimme" game, right?
Brian Batko
11:03
Ah...no. Have you seen the recent history between these two teams? Cleveland always finds a way to get up for this game. Case in point: the Steelers lost to Dorian Thompson-Robinson in this building. I think he's now playing for the Guangdong Sharks in China. But then again, that was with Kenny Pickett and Matt Canada at the helm of the offense. Something like that should not happen under Aaron Rodgers and Arthur Smith against Shedeur Sanders.
Mags
11:04
Hope I’m wrong, but this game has me a bit concerned. It’s a typical set up for a Tomlin let down game. It’s not like the Browns can’t pull the upset. They almost beat Buffalo last week, and they did beat GB earlier in the year at home. They have a good defense, and DK is out.
Brian Batko
11:05
Right. Steelers offense has to operate without DK Metcalf, though I don't view that as a huge loss because of how much they spread it around anyway. But it's an obstacle. Myles Garrett is a bigger obstacle. He can wreck a game almost single-handedly. Plus, if the weather is dicey with bad winds and rain, fluky stuff can happen in any NFL contest.
John in SC
11:05
Happy Holidays! What are the chances of AR playing another year? I’d prefer that while using draft choices to upgrade WR, Corner and adding to OL and DL. QB can then wait until 2027.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:08
Rodgers hasn't given any recent hints about what he's thinking. He said back in the summer this season was likely his last. He wanted to go out on a good note, didn't want to end it the way it ended in New York. I do think the Steelers will have him back if he wants to come back. I do think he has genuinely liked his time with the Steelers so maybe he would come back. And it appears it's a very good year for WRs in the draft. They could probably get a good one in the first round.
Ryan
11:08
Brian who is your projected inactives today I’m thinking Austin watt Pierre Echols Johnson Howard and seumalo
Brian Batko
11:11
I like it, Ryan. And I don't disagree with any. The injuries make it easy. BUT just to be different from you, I'll say Kaleb Johnson gets a helmet this week instead of Logan Lee, who didn't play in Detroit anyway. Just think it's gonna be a run-heavy approach from the Steelers in these conditions.
LA Steeler
11:11
Is Ramsey at full strength today? If not, do I need to suit up at CB?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:12
He was upgraded to no injury designation on Saturday. He was sick for a few days. So is he full strength? I have no idea, but there is no doubt he is playing today.
Sean from Canton Ohio
11:13
Hopefully the Steelers understand that the weather is crap here today and adjust the game plan accordingly. Rain and 20mph sustained winds.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:14
I don't know about the wind, but it is supposed to rain for most of the game. It's a little windy now but nowhere near 20 mph.
Lambert Lunatic
11:16
Hey Guys, even though it’s a small sample size, Malik Willis has looked very good recently with the opportunities he’s been given. Dare I say a solid QB1. Depending on the obvious, do you see the Stillers making a play this offseason?
Brian Batko
11:18
Hey LL, I'm in! Or I'm back in! I actually can't even remember how much I liked Malik Willis coming out in 2022. We don't need to talk about the QB I believed in the most from that class. His name rhymes with Pat Morale. Anyway, Willis always had the traits. Strikes me as a bit of a different kind of cat, but that's not always a bad thing, especially for someone who dealt with a ton of adversity early in his career. He was a late-bloomer in college, too. Maybe he just needed time to adjust to the NFL. If AR hangs it up, I'd absolutely consider him, and the Steelers would have to look at all options too right?
Ryan
11:18
Ray what is your score prediction today I’m saying 35-17 Steelers win
Ray Fittipaldo
11:18
I think it's going to be a low-scoring game, Ryan. I'll say Steelers 20, Browns 16.
Brian Batko
11:20
I went 20-19, Steelers, but not sure if these teams will even score that much. If the Steelers get a comfortable lead, why not just sit on the ball and make sure get yourself to the playoffs healthy? That's another reason why I'd have Kaleb Johnson up. Hand it to him if you're winning big.
J D
11:21
Is Sanders good in the rain and cold?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:21
I don't know what his record is, but he played a couple of seasons in Boulder so he should be used to bad weather conditions.
Sean from Canton Ohio
11:24
Not yet. It will be
Ray Fittipaldo
11:24
Either way, not ideal conditions here in Cleveland today.
Brian Batko
11:25
Shedeur definitely has had some good moments in the rain. But this is his first AFC North start. Is he ready for this brand of football in these elements? Can't really know til you're in it, I assume.
J D
11:25
Are the Cleveland fans amped-up or have they lost some noise since their team is out of the playoffs?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:26
We're always amazed at the long line of tailgating for these games in Cleveland even when they're bad. Not as many cars in the lot today because of the rain, but they always seem to turn out, if for no other reason than to voice their displeasure.
KW
11:27
Is anyone else nervous about today’s game? I feel like we are going to get a great effort from Cleveland today, and I hope we do t come out flat.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:28
I remember thinking there was no way they would lose to the Browns here last year in that Thursday night game, and they lost. Anything is possible, right? Dorian THompson-Robinson beat them here a few years ago.
KW
11:29
Exactly… I think a quick start could be significant today.
J D
11:36
Anything can happen in Cleveland and it normally does.  Some freak play, turnovers, long returns all have been a big part at the mistake-by-the-lake!
Ray Fittipaldo
11:36
If they can lose to Dorian Thompson-Robinson they can lose to Shedeur Sanders. (But they shouldn't!)
11:38
Steelers inactives for today's game against the Browns: QB Will Howard (3rd QB), WR Calvin Austin III, RB Kaleb Johnson, CBs Brandin Echols and James Pierre, OL Isaac Seumalo and OLB T.J. Watt.
Brian Batko
11:39
Logan Lee gets a helmet again over Kaleb Johnson. Guess you can't have enough DL depth.
Dave
11:39
Omg watching Baltimore trample on the Packers last night, the Steelers don’t want to meet them next week especially with DK out.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:40
Maybe, just maybe, giving the ball to Derrick Henry is a good idea. Who would have thought that? And yes, lots of unnecessary drama ahead if they manage to lose to the Browns today.
Brian Batko
11:43
TJ Watt was on the field with the other pass rushers for early warmups. For what it's worth.
Franco3272
11:50
Do you think Tomlin doesn't view this as a must win since they have next week even though there is no guarantee of beating the Ravens whether Lamar plays or not?
Brian Batko
11:51
I mean, it's not a *must* win because of what you just said. But it'd be pretty darned nice. Why would you want to have to deal with the Ravens, whom you usually find a way to beat but hardly ever blow out, with your season on the line? Particularly the way Derrick Henry's running.
Franco3272
11:52
I agree. At the end of the day you're not beating the Bills, Texans or Chargers in the playoffs if you can't beat the Browns to win the division.
Brian Batko
11:52
Sure, that's another way of looking at it.
Lou
11:53
I think an “advantage” in not having DK for one game is that the new batch of guys will make the Browns a little more confused as to cover. Maybe AR spreads the ball to 6 WR
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