NFL
Week 8: Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Preview
Week 8 features another AFC North matchup between the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers. These two teams have already played each other once this season, resulting in a tie Week 1 of this season.
In the previous 20 matchups between these two sides, Pittsburgh has dominated the series owning a 16-3-1 record over the Cleveland Browns.
Injury Report
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns enter this week with a few key players on the injury report. Free safety standout, Damarious Randall, has missed all week of practice with a groin/ankle injury. Randall’s injury forced him to leave last Sunday’s contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Not having Randall against this Steelers’ passing attack would be a detrimental loss for this defense.
Another key player down is wide receiver Rashard Higgins who has missed practice all week with a knee injury. Although Higgins is not targeted a lot, he has the third most receiving yards for Cleveland along with six plays of twenty or more yards.
Two other players out of practice this week are linebacker Joe Schobert and center JC Tretter. Schobert is missing with a hamstring injury while Tretter is out with an ankle injury. Keep an eye on tight end David Njoku, who has been a limited participant with a knee injury this week.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers enter this week relatively healthy with only one key player missing practice with an injury. Starting right tackle Marcus Gilbert has been out of practice this week with a knee injury, which is bad news as Cleveland is in the top ten in total sacks this season. Center Maurkice Pouncey did miss Wednesday’s practice, but it was listed as a coach’s decision for rest.
One good piece of news for the Steelers is strong safety Morgan Burnett has finally practiced in full for the first time since Week 2. Although Burnett may not start, having a veteran presence back in the fold would be huge for the Steelers’ secondary.
Key Matchups
James Conner vs. Cleveland’s Run Defense
James Conner has been marvelous this season. In his Week 1 appearance vs. the Browns, he put on a show. Conner had 36 touches for 192 total yards and two touchdowns. Even following the bye week, Conner ranks among the top ten running backs in yards, touchdowns, and rushes of 20+ yards.
Conner should have another big game going against a Browns rush defense that ranks 29th in rush yards allowed and 31st in rushing touchdowns allowed.
Fantasy Implications
Cleveland Browns
One of Cleveland’s biggest fantasy matchups this week will be tight end David Njoku. The Pittsburgh Steelers are allowing nearly 80 yards per game to tight ends, and Njoku’s play has skyrocketed since the initiation of the Mayfield era. Njoku ranks second on the Browns with 51 targets and 297 receiving yards, while tied for first with two touchdowns this season.
Landry had seven receptions for 106 yards in their Week 1 matchup and should post similar numbers. One player I would be cautious about starting this week is Nick Chubb. The Steelers’ defense is ranked 11th in rushing yards per game, allowing only 97 rushing yards a game.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Once again the Pittsburgh Steelers will have multiple players primed for huge fantasy weeks. James Conner is a clear RB1 going up against one of the worst rush defenses in the league. The Browns are allowing 134.7 rushing yards per game, including Conner’s masterful Week 1 performance. Antonio Brown appears to be back on track, and there is no telling what numbers he can put up. In his last two games, Brown has put up 206 receiving yards and three touchdowns making him a must-start impact fantasy player this week.
Ben Roethlisberger is also in line for a huge week, on pace to break most of his career highs. Roethlisberger comes into this week tied for the most passing yards per game, including a 335-yard performance against Cleveland in week 1.
Prediction
These teams enter this game on opposite ends of the division, as the Steelers are in first with Cleveland in the last place. A win for Cleveland keeps them in the hunt, but a win for Pittsburgh keeps them in the driver seat.
The Cleveland Browns have played in four overtime games already this season, and that wear and tear are showing on this defense. Pittsburgh’s offense has continued to improve each week and will pounce on this struggling defense. The Steelers coming home to Heinz field will only help their cause, as they have not lost to the Browns at home since 2003.
Pittsburgh will take this one comfortably behind a strong offensive showing 31-21.
Date: Sunday, October 28th, 2018
Time: 1:00 pm Eastern
Location: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh PA
Team Records:
Cleveland Browns: 2-4-1
Pittsburgh Steelers: 3-2-1
Photo Credit
Featured Image courtesy of Steeltownusa.com
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