Steelers Keys to Victory vs. Browns in Week 4 NFL Game
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Steelers Keys to Victory vs. Browns in Week 4 NFL Game originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have another AFC North test ahead of them.
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Pittsburgh improved to 2-1 with a 30-27 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3. Now, the Steelers will travel to Cleveland to face the 2-1 Browns on Thursday Night Football.
Cleveland has won two straight after opening the season with a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Browns most recently beat the Carolina Panthers 21-18 behind two touchdown catches from tight end Harold Fannin Jr.
Pittsburgh will have to handle a Browns offense that has found ways to win despite some inconsistent production, while also finding a way to keep its own offense moving on a short week.
Here are four keys to victory for the Steelers against the Browns.
Steelers keys to victory vs. Browns
Don't Let Fannin Take Over
Harold Fannin Jr. has quickly become one of the Browns' most reliable offensive weapons.
The tight end caught seven passes for 51 yards and two touchdowns in Cleveland's Week 3 win over Carolina. He has also seen 15 targets over the Browns' last two games.
Pittsburgh's secondary could be tested even more with Joey Porter Jr. ruled out for Thursday night's game and Jalen Ramsey listed as questionable.
The Steelers can't afford to lose track of Fannin, particularly near the goal line. If Cleveland wants to move the ball through its tight end, Pittsburgh needs to make those completions short and limit what happens after the catch.
Keep Feeding Warren
Jaylen Warren gave the Steelers' offense a much-needed spark last week.
With Rico Dowdle sidelined, Warren finished the win over Cincinnati with 127 rushing yards and 49 receiving yards.
Dowdle is once again out against Cleveland, meaning Warren should have another opportunity to be a major part of the offense.
The Browns have allowed some success on the ground this season, so Pittsburgh should have a chance to establish the run early. Warren's ability to create plays both as a runner and receiver also gives Aaron Rodgers an easy outlet when the Browns bring pressure.
Make Cleveland's Offense Earn It
The Browns haven't exactly been lighting up the scoreboard during their two-game winning streak.
Cleveland scored 23 points against the Buccaneers in Week 2 before putting up 21 against Carolina. Deshaun Watson threw for just 144 yards in Sunday's win, although two of those completions went for touchdowns to Fannin.
Pittsburgh doesn't need to completely shut down Watson. It needs to avoid giving him easy plays.
The Steelers should make Cleveland put together long drives rather than allowing Watson to turn broken plays into chunk gains. That becomes even more important with Pittsburgh dealing with injuries in the secondary.
Give Rodgers Another Balanced Attack
Aaron Rodgers had one of his better games of the season against Cincinnati.
He finished with 292 passing yards and three touchdowns as Pittsburgh's offense totaled 411 yards. Warren's production on the ground helped keep the Bengals from being able to focus entirely on the passing game.
The Steelers need something similar in Cleveland.
Pittsburgh doesn't need Rodgers to throw 40-plus times. If Warren can keep the Browns' defense honest, Rodgers should have opportunities to make plays downfield without having to carry the offense by himself.
A balanced attack would also help Pittsburgh control the pace against a Browns team that has won its last two games by a combined seven points.