Steelers vs. Browns: Breaking Down Pittsburgh's Game Plan

It is already rematch time for the Pittsburgh Steelers. After nearly surrendering a 27-3 halftime lead, the Steelers held off the charging Cleveland Browns at home to get an opening-weekend victory.

Now, the Steelers travel to Cleveland in an attempt to keep pace with the rest of the AFC North, where things are incredibly tight.

In the first matchup, Cleveland rode a physical rushing attack paired with a rapid tempo that had the Steelers defense on its heels for much of the second half.

It feels like it has been a lifetime since Week 1, and after going back and watching both teams’ games since, there have been some pretty significant changes for each squad. How can the Steelers get the road win? Read on and find out.

History on the Steelers’ side

There was a time when the Steelers and Browns were one of the most heated rivalries in the league. You threw the records out when these two franchises squared off and could always count on a great game. 

Don Wright/Associated Press

In recent seasons, things have been a bit more one-sided. In fact, during the time that Pittsburgh has had quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers are 18-1 against Cleveland.

If the past is any indication of the future, the clear advantage here goes to Pittsburgh.

When the Steelers are on offense

The Steelers offense is something of a paradox. Through five games, Pittsburgh has been able to move the football seemingly at will. Pittsburgh has a real three-headed monster on offense with Roethlisberger, running back Le’Veon Bell and wide receiver Antonio Brown. All three are among the elite at their respective positions.

However, for all of their ability to move the football, Pittsburgh only ranks No. 18 in the league in scoring. Scott Brown of ESPN gave sobering stats about this electrifying offense.

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The Steelers have scored touchdowns just 44 percent of the time they have had the ball inside their opponents’ 20-yard line, and their red-zone offense is what needs to be fixed the most with an AFC North game looming Sunday in Cleveland. 

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There are several ways to look at all of this, but Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette summed up a big part of it quite nicely.

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Not counting 3 kneel-downs at end, #Steelers attempted pass on all 10 plays in the red zone in Jax. TBay it was 8 of 9. 33 of 47 in 2014.

— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) October 8, 2014"

This is completely unacceptable. In the first game, Bell rushed for 109 yards on 21 carries. This Sunday, the Steelers need to line up and run right at the Browns, especially in the red zone. That inside delay over the right side has become Pittsburgh’s bread-and-butter.

Pittsburgh must walk a fine line between becoming predictable in their calls and trying to get too cute with gadget plays and exotic sets. The fact of the matter is there are some things that Pittsburgh does really well, and whether it is Cleveland or any other team, they should do it. Don’t let the defense dictate what you do. Do whatever you want.

Don Wright/Associated Press

Establishing the run game opens up play-action passing, and that’s where Roethlisberger can really hurt a team. The weapons are there with Brown, tight end Heath Miller and wide receiver Markus Wheaton, it is just a matter of utilizing them properly. 

The horizontal passing game is all well and good when the defense is giving you coverage that allows it. But it’ll be those deep throws against crowded run-stopping fronts that will win the day. Fewer multiple-tight end sets and more spread will keep Cleveland on its collective heels.

When the Steelers are on defense

Since that opening weekend when the Browns gashed the Steelers for 191 yards rushing, they have really stiffened with their run defense. This has been a case of more base defense and much more sound fundamentals. The defense still has lapses in technique and miss tackles they should make, but things are looking up. This is especially good news when you consider that the Steelers are playing without multiple starters.

Gene Puskar/Associated Press

Again, part of the return of prominence for the Steelers defense has been getting back to basics. Trusting in the veteran presence on this roster and putting them in positions to make plays. We could talk coverage schemes and pressure concepts if we wanted, but against Cleveland, it is really much more simple than that.

There are really three fundamental things Pittsburgh must do on defense. 

1. Gap integrity against the run: In the first matchup, Pittsburgh was caught overpursuing on those stretch run plays and left inside lanes for the Cleveland running backs to exploit. The Steelers defensive players need to know that it is OK not to make every tackle and should instead stick to their assignment. There will be plenty of tackles to go around.

2. Tackle the route: While the Pittsburgh pass rush is making baby steps toward credibility, the onus for the pass defense is still going to fall on the secondary. Yikes. But things aren’t all doom and gloom. While the defensive backs might be giving up some throws, limiting yards after the catch is what keeps them in games.

3. No stupid penalties: Pittsburgh has taken drastic measures the past two weeks to try to curb the glut of penalties this team has been racking up.

It is a rather unusual tactic to have referees attend NFL practices. How unusual for Pittsburgh? Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review says it is very unusual.

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Referees were at Steelers practice today like Tomlin promised. I can say have never saw anything like that in my 13 years covering the team

— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly_Trib) October 1, 2014"

The great equalizer 

In the final analysis, the one player, position or factor that will impact this game the most is the battle between the quarterbacks. Both Roethlisberger and Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer have played very efficient football to this point.

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

Hoyer has thrown for 1,008 yards in four games with six touchdowns and only one interception. He has also completed 62.1 percent of his attempts.

Roethlisberger has 1,365 yards passing in five games, throwing seven touchdowns and only two interceptions. Roethlisberger is also on pace for a career-best completion percentage at 68.9 percent.

Hoyer and Roethlisberger are an interesting comparison. While Roethlisberger has more talent and better skill players, Hoyer has a far superior offensive line. The edge here goes to Big Ben, but not by as great of a margin as you might think.

Predictions and implications

This game is pivotal for the AFC North race. If the Steelers can win, they go to 4-2. They are tied with the Baltimore Ravens, who get the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and a half-game behind the Cincinnati Bengals, who host the Carolina Panthers.

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

If we assume things go the way they appear they would, the Steelers can’t afford to drop this one, especially if the Ravens and Bengals both win. Pittsburgh finally settles down after a couple of oddball weeks and lets history be its guide. The game is physical and the game is close, but the Steelers win it late.

Steelers 24, Browns 17