PLAYER NOTES
–S Morgan Burnett returned to practice Wednesday on a limited basis. Burnett, who began the season as the starting strong safety, has missed the past four games with a groin injury.
–WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, who missed the past two games with an ankle injury, returned to practice Wednesday.
–T Marcus Gilbert did not practice Wednesday due to a knee injury.
–LB L.J. Fort returned to practice Wednesday after missing the Bengals game with a knee injury.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: T Alejandro Villanueva. The Steelers’ left tackle hasn’t allowed a pressure the past two games against the Falcons or Bengals. He’ll need to continue his strong play this week against Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, who recorded two sacks against Villanueva when these two teams met in the season opener. Garrett also beat Villanueva around the edge and caused running back James Conner to fumble in the fourth quarter. That turnover led to a Browns touchdown.
GAME PLAN: The Steelers established their running game against the Falcons and Bengals and the offense was much more efficient. They will need another strong performance from running back James Conner against the Browns, who thrive on letting loose with their pass rush in longer downs and distances. Conner had 135 yards rushing against the Browns in the season opener, but Ben Roethlisberger threw five interceptions in wet and sloppy conditions. If Conner can produce another 100-yard game it will take some pressure off Roethlisberger and put offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner in position to call some play-action passes, which have become a go-to play for the Steelers during their recent victories.
The Steelers want to put pressure on rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield. They were able to do that to Tyrod Taylor when these two teams met in the opener. Linebacker T.J. Watt had three sacks and the Steelers finished with seven for the day. One thing the Steelers defense did not do well in that game was contain Taylor, who was the Browns’ leading rusher with 77 yards on eight carries. Mayfield is mobile as well so the Steelers have to do a much better job of containing him and preventing broken plays from turning into positive gains.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Steelers WR Antonio Brown vs. Browns CB Denzel Ward. Brown had nine receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown when these two teams met in September, but Ward had two interceptions. He has just once interception in the past five games, but the rookie playmaker from Ohio State will have another chance to step onto the big stage against Brown, who has made a living over the years by beating up on Browns corners.
–Steelers S Terrell Edmunds vs. Browns QB Baker Mayfield. Edmunds has assumed the starting strong safety job because Morgan Burnett has been injured. He is still learning on the job as is Mayfield, who has thrown five interceptions in his first five starts. The Steelers defense has been prone to giving up big plays. Which rookie will blink first Sunday?
