Admin November 20, 2024
The Pittsburgh Steelers will be looking to win their sixth-straight game when they travel to Huntington Bank Field to take on their division rival Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football.
The Steelers are coming off the back of an impressive 18-16 win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, cementing their place at the top of the AFC North with a record of 8-2.
Their defense is among the best in the NFL and their offense has made vast improvements since Russell Wilson became the starting quarterback in Week 7, with the Steelers averaging over 27 points-per-game with Wilson under centre.
In stark contrast, the Browns’ 35-14 defeat to the 4-7 New Orleans Saints on Sunday leaves them toiling at the bottom of the AFC North with a record of 2-8, making them one of five teams who have registered just two wins this season.
Despite the mismatch on paper, the Browns can take encouragement from the fact that seven of Pittsburgh’s 10 games this season have been settled by just one score, therefore if Cleveland can keep the game tight, they have every chance of causing what would be a huge upset.
Injury Report
Pittsburgh Steelers
With it being a short week for the Steelers, it will be hard for linebacker Alex Highsmith to recover in time for Thursday night having suffered an ankle injury against the Washington Commanders in Week 10, an injury which forced him to miss their win over Baltimore on Sunday as well as practice on Monday and Tuesday.
Whilst Highsmith is a doubt to play, one player who could return this week is corner back Cory Trice Jr., who’s window to come off the Injury/Reserve List opened when he returned to practice last week. Najee Harris, T.J. Watt and MyCole Pruitt were rested on Monday, but all three were full participants in Tuesday’s practice and look set to play on Thursday.
Cleveland Browns
Whilst Pittsburgh have a relatively clean bill of health, the same cannot be said about the Cleveland Browns. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett was placed on the injury report on Tuesday having missed practice due to a hip injury, whilst Elijah Moore, Greg Newsome II, David Njoku, Denzel Ward and Jedrick Wills Jr. were all limited in practice.
No decisions have been made on their game status’ just yet, but it does not bode well for a Browns team who are preparing to go up against one of the hottest teams in the NFL.
Key Players
Russell Wilson (QB) – Pittsburgh Steelers
Having been written off in the off-season following a down year with the Denver Broncos last year, Wilson has transformed the Steelers’ offense since being named the starter in Week 7.
He is averaging 235.5 passing yards-per-game, has thrown for six touchdowns with just two interceptions, and has won all four games he has started thus far.
Wilson is now set to face a Browns team who have lost seven of their last eight games and rank 24th in the league in points against-per-game, presenting a real opportunity for the former Seattle Seahawk to put on a show and help his team keep the pressure up on the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills at the top of the AFC.
Nick Chubb (RB) – Cleveland Browns
With many of Cleveland’s key defensive players such as Garrett, Ward and Newsome II on the injury report, the offense will be required to step up and show out if the Browns are to give the Steelers a test on Thursday night, and that starts with Nick Chubb at running back.
The four-time Pro Bowler has not been at his best after returning from injury in Week 7 – scoring just one touchdown whilst averaging 3.1 yards-per-rush in four games this season – but he was able to notch 50 rushing yards against the Saints on Sunday which included a longest run of 14 yards.
It will be a daunting prospect coming up against a Steelers defense who in the last two weeks limited the Washington Commanders to just 60 rushing yards and held the NFL’s leading rusher Derrick Henry to just 65 on Sunday, but Chubb will be crucial for the Browns when it comes to controlling the clock and being clinical in the red zone.
Where and When
The game will be played in Cleveland, Ohio at Huntington Bank Field on Thursday 21st November. The game will kick-off at 20:15 ET/17:15 PT/01:15 BST.
How to watch
The game will be broadcast live on Prime Video for the US audience, whilst UK viewers will be able to watch the game on the Sky Sports Main Event channel.