Steelers inactives for Week 3 at Browns
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| Source: Steelers |
Browns look to get to back on track against the Steelers on Thursday Night Football
We are on to Pittsburgh. Yes, the Browns should be 2-0 rather than 1-1, but they get a chance to get back to their winning ways on a short week against the T.J. Watt-less Steelers in a critical early season AFC North matchup.
The Steelers head into tonight's game against the Cleveland Browns a healthy team, and the gameday inactives reflect that.
Linebacker David Anenih, who was signed to the 53-man roster just one week ago, will be inactive for the second straight week.
With Anenih inactive, linebacker Delontae Scott will be active for the game. Scott was elevated from the practice squad to the Active/Inactive Roster just before gametime.
Scott, who was also elevated to the Active/Inactive roster for the Patriots game and saw action in the game, was originally signed to the Steelers practice squad in 2021 and spent time on the Active/Inactive roster as a game day call up last season as well, playing in one game.
Also inactive tonight are quarterback Mason Rudolph, guard Kendrick Green, receiver Steven Sims, defensive tackle Isaiahh Loudersmilk and linebacker Mark Robinson.
The Browns elevated tight end Miller Forristall and wide receiver Chester Rogers to the Active/Inactive roster for tonight's game. In addition, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is inactive, ruled out earlier this week. Two former Steelers offensive linemen, tackles Chris Hubbard and Joe Haeg, are inactive as well.
The Winning Mix: 3 keys to a victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers
Don't Beat Yourself
I don't care if we're talking about turnovers, special teams blunders, back-breaking penalties or blown coverages on defense because if the Browns do their jobs tonight, they will beat the Steelers. Pittsburgh is struggling mightily on offense, and without T.J. Watt in the lineup, they are 0-5 all time. The Browns should be 2-0 with two easy wins, and can only look in the mirror for the reason that they sit at 1-1. So, if they can clean up those mistakes and not beat themselves, the Browns will beat the Steelers and get to 2-1.
Run The Ball
Through two weeks, the Browns are averaging 200.5 yards rushing per game, most in the NFL. The Browns have been generating 5.1 yards per carry and they already have four rushing scores. Currently there are only seven players in the NFL with 100-plus rushing yards and two-plus total touchdowns. Two of them, Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb, are on the Browns.
Last week, the Patriots gashed the Steelers on the ground, with their running backs alone rushing 24 times for 118 yards (4.9 yards per carry) and a touchdown. They were especially dominant rushing outside of the tackles where the Pats averaged a whopping 5.8 yards per carry. Wouldn't ya know that since entering the NFL in 2018, Nick Chubb leads the NFL in rushing yards (3,791), yards per carry (5.8) and rushing touchdowns (28) on runs outside of the tackles. With Watt out, the Browns can attack the smaller edge defenders of the Steelers with their punishing ground game. It should also be noted that the Browns are 19-7 in their last 26 games with at least 100 yards rushing, so it is a very good formula for success. Also keep an eye on if the Browns can hit 180 yards on the ground tonight, because if they do, it will be the first time with four straight games of 180-plus since the days of Jim Brown carrying the rock back in 1957. T
Tight Coverage and Pressure Trubisky
Despite all of their talent at wide receiver — and they do have plenty of it — the Steelers are currently averaging 4.8 yards per pass attempt this year, dead last in the NFL. A big reason for that is that Mitch Trubisky is checking down often and getting the ball out of his hand as quickly as possible behind the shaky Steelers offensive line. 33 of Trubisky's 43 completions this year have come within nine yards of the line of scrimmage. So play tight and expect the ball out quickly and the Browns should be able to contain this anemic passing attack and potentially get their hands on the ball for game changing interceptions.
Trubisky has also struggled when under duress this year. When under pressure he is completing just 29 percent of his passes and averaging just 4.0 yards per attempt with a quarterback rating of 63. With no Jadeveon Clowney, young ends Alex Wright, Isaac Rochell and Isaiah Thomas have to step up and help Myles Garrett and Taven Bryan get after the quarterback. Another wrinkle for DC Joe Woods is the idea of blitzing Trubisky, who is completing just 33 percent of his passes for 3.9 yards per attempt and a 68 rating against the blitz. Let's turn up the heat on a cold night on the lake and get a big win for the Browns.
Steelers Inactives
No. 2 QB Mason Rudolph
No. 53 G Kendrick Green
No. 82 WR Steven Sims
No. 92 DT Isaiahh Loudermilk
No. 93 LB Mark Robinson
No. 96 LB David Anenih
Browns Inactives
No. 8 QB Kellen Mond
No. 12 WR Michael Woods II
No. 25 RB Demetric Felton
No. 39 S Richard LeCounte III
No. 59 T Joe Haeg
No. 74 T Chris Hubbard
No. 90 DE Jadeveon Clowney