The Cleveland Browns carry an NFL-best seven-game winning streak on “Thursday Night Football” into tonight’s trip to the Pittsburgh Steelers, winless in nine divisional road games played on the fourth night of the week.
Go numbers.
It is essential that the AFC North contenders have something to give in this match. It should come as no surprise that he owes it to the Browns.
Of all teams under .500 through three weeks, Cleveland has the worst point differential at minus-17. Pittsburgh’s minus-7 isn’t much better, but the Steelers boast a balanced, creative offense that finally looks to be humming.
After allowing just 13 points from offense in two games — sorry, Steelers fans, TJ Watt’s interception-return score from Week 1 counts elsewhere — Pittsburgh won Sunday’s shootout against Cincinnati.
Bengals 27 veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers led a 411-yard effort that led to the Steelers 30. He passed for 292 yards and three touchdowns to pass Joe Burrow, and even if Rodgers picked up four sacks and had a 60.5 rating in New England the previous week, his reputation precedes him.
“He’s a wizard,” Cleveland linebacker Jared Verse said. “He can throw. He can make all these throws that elite quarterbacks can make. His legs may not be what they were at one point, but his arm, I would argue with you, is even better than it was.
“He takes care of everything. He hits tight windows. He throws deep. He can handle it. If you let him sit back and be the quarterback, he’ll tear you apart all day.”
Verse seems to mean any day of the week, but Rodgers was especially effective on Thursdays as he prepared for the final scheduled “TNF” appearance of his career. Rodgers has thrown 46 touchdowns against seven interceptions, winning 13 of 20 games.
A win tonight would tie him with Tom Brady for the most QB wins of all time on Thursday.
Rodgers enjoys a supporting cast that includes wide receivers DK Metcalf and Roman Wilson, who caught TDs against Cincinnati. But a solid ground game also creates openings and opportunities.
Running back Jaylen Warren had a career-high 176 yards and more touchdowns as running back Rico Dowdle (toe) was sidelined.
“Jaylen came out guns blazing and it was a lot of fun,” guard Mason McCormick said. “Great block for Jaylen.”
Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson called the game “a great opportunity to showcase what we’re all about on a big national stage.”
Right now, toughness is Cleveland’s calling card. After a season-opening loss at Jacksonville, the Browns responded with narrow wins at Tampa Bay and against Carolina, outscored by a combined seven points.
Watson played fairly steady, averaging just under 200 passing yards per game, but completed 68.3 percent of his passes with five touchdowns against one interception.
Jalen Ramsey (broken wrist) is questionable and Joey Porter Jr. (back) With the Dallas Cowboys on contract, he will face the Steelers secondary. Of course, there’s still the matter of pressure-happy defenders Alex Highsmith and Watt, and another stat that stands out.
Watson had 18 sacks in three starts against the Steelers.
All of this, with a Steelers win and a reversal of fortune for the Browns last Thursday, will happily send Rodgers and Co into a mini-bye after a short week.
“I just swallowed for those three hours, and then I know you’re going to get a reward on the back,” Rodgers said. “I think it’s part of the game now because of the money in it. I think I’m excited for the weekend.”
Think he’ll save some snark for Thursday’s swan song.