Admin November 21, 2024
Bills hand Chiefs their first loss, Steelers atop the AFC North
Mackenzie Salmon breaks down the top storylines from Week 11 in the NFL.
Sports Seriously
The “Thursday Night Football” schedule has delivered top-notch divisional matchups all season, and Week 12 brings another with a classic AFC North showdown.
The Pittsburgh Steelers (8-2) will battle the Cleveland Browns (2-8) in Week 12 at Huntington Bank Field. This will be the first meeting of the season between the divisional foes.
The Steelers are off to an outstanding start and sit at the top of the AFC North standings. Cleveland enters Week 12 after a 35-14 loss to the New Orleans Saints. The Browns have had a disappointing 2024 season but will look to play spoiler in an always competitive AFC North. They have an opportunity on “Thursday Night Football” to upset the Steelers and show some fight over the final seven weeks of the regular season.
Here’s everything to know about the “Thursday Night Football” matchup for Week 12.
Who plays on Thursday Night Football tonight?
The Steelers travel to Cleveland on Thursday night to take on the Browns. This is the first of two matchups between these division rivals over the next three weeks.
How to watch Thursday Night Football
- Live stream: Amazon Prime Video
- TV Channel: Pittsburgh market: KDKA-TV | Cleveland market: WEWS News 5
“Thursday Night Football” will exclusively stream on Amazon Prime Video.
Watch “Thursday Night Football” with a Prime Video subscription
Thursday Night Football preview
The Steelers are 8-2 and on top of the division entering this showdown on Thursday night. On Sunday, they defeated the Baltimore Ravens 18-16 to put their stamp on the AFC North. The Steelers lead the Ravens by two games in the loss column entering Week 12. Head coach Mike Tomlin has led the team to five consecutive wins and four straight since inserting Russell Wilson as the starting quarterback. They have exhibited toughness and determination to win football games every week. The Steelers are one win away from going 18 consecutive seasons, finishing at .500 or better.
The Steelers defense has been terrific, holding eight of ten opponents to 20 or fewer points. Pittsburgh is tied with the third-most takeaways in the NFL and has allowed the second-fewest points per game overall (16.2). They rank sixth overall in EPA per play allowed. Defensive end T.J. Watt is tied with the most forced fumbles in the NFL (4).
Meanwhile, the Browns’ defense has flipped on its head compared to 2023. Cleveland has struggled to slow opposing offenses, allowing the fourth-highest EPA per play. According to FTN, they rank dead last in team total DVOA compared to eighth overall in 2023.
Under offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, the Steelers are second in rush rate and lean on their running backs. Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren give Pittsburgh a dynamic 1-2 punch out of the backfield.
The Browns will have quarterback Jameis Winston under center, marking the fourth straight week starting for the former No. 1 overall pick. Winston has performed well since Deshaun Watson’s season-ending Achilles injury, but turnovers remain an issue for the 30-year-old: Winston has thrown three interceptions and has lost two fumbles in his last three starts.
Winston’s ability to avoid sacks and turnovers is a key to the game. Watt has 7.5 sacks on the season and played all 17 games last season, finishing with a league-high 19. He was the runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year behind Myles Garrett, and many believe he was snubbed from the award.
This clash will have a classic AFC North atmosphere for this late-November battle.
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