4 bold predictions for Week 6 vs. Steelers

The Cleveland Browns’ 38-6 loss by the hands of the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1 appears far-off now. Not solely have the Browns racked up 4 straight wins since their season-opening defeat, however their offense particularly has been rejuvenated, as they’ve scored 30 factors in every of their wins. Cleveland is coming off a 32-23 win over the Indianapolis Colts, the most effective defenses within the NFL.

The Browns’ 4-1 begin is their finest since 1994. Cleveland now heads to Metal Metropolis as its offense faces one other take a look at in a longtime rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers are 4-Zero and now have a stingy protection. There’s a little bit of dangerous blood right here due to the assembly final November that noticed Myles Garrett and Mason Rudolph go at it, although Garrett is making an attempt to maneuver previous it.

Nonetheless, there needs to be loads of depth on this recreation given the circumstances. Listed below are 4 issues that would occur when Cleveland visits Heinz Subject to tackle Piitsburgh.

1. Baker Mayfield (or Case Keenum) has two landing passes

In opposition to the Colts in Week 5, Mayfield handed for 247 yards and two touchdowns, finishing 21 out of 37 passes. The primary general choose of the 2018 NFL Draft additionally had two interceptions within the second half, which capped off an up-and-down efficiency.

Mayfield took a tough hit on a kind of interceptions, and he was later revealed to have suffered a chest damage that restricted him in observe earlier this week. Whereas he has expressed optimism that he can play in opposition to the Steelers, Cleveland has added Kyle Lauletta from the observe squad to the workforce’s lineup, which might imply that backup quarterback Case Keenum might make the beginning for the Browns in opposition to Pittsburgh.

Even when Mayfield doesn’t play, the 32-year-old Keenum is a veteran who’s conversant in Alex Van Pelt’s offense. With the Steelers being one of many league’s finest defenses in opposition to the run, count on the Browns to rely extra on Mayfield or Keenum regardless of being the league’s finest speeding workforce.

If there’s a seam within the Pittsburgh protection, it’s in opposition to the go. The Steelers have given up 237.5 passing yards per recreation, which ranks simply 15th within the NFL. If Mayfield or Keenum can take benefit and discover their targets, it bodes effectively for the Browns’ probabilities of selecting up their fifth straight win.

2. Huge video games from Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry … in the event that they play

With the Browns relying extra on their quarterback in opposition to the Steelers, broad receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry are primed for large video games … assuming they play. Regardless of being despatched residence from observe earlier this week for feeling below the climate, the three-time Professional Bowler has examined detrimental for COVID-19 and is hoping to be good to go in opposition to Pittsburgh.

His finest good friend and former LSU teammate Jarvis Landry additionally missed observe attributable to a rib damage suffered in opposition to the Colts. If each broad receivers are in a position to play, Landry and Beckham might be a frequent goal for Mayfield or Keenum, and it wouldn’t be stunning for the five-time Professional Bowler to search out the tip zone for the primary time this season.

3. Myles Garrett makes an influence and has two sacks 

After lacking the ultimate six video games of the 2019 season due to a suspension stemming from his altercation with Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph, Myles Garrett has bounced again properly and at present has six sacks 5 video games into the season. Garrett trails Los Angeles Rams star Aaron Donald by simply 1.5 sacks for the perfect mark within the league, and he might quickly eclipse his personal-best mark of 13.5 sacks that he set two seasons in the past.

An enormous story of this recreation is the 27-year-old enjoying in his first recreation in opposition to Rudolph and the Steelers since his suspension, however Garrett stays targeted on the duty at hand: attending to Ben Roethlisberger, who has been sacked a complete of six occasions this season. The Browns have averaged simply 2.Four sacks per recreation up to now this season regardless of Garrett’s particular person success, however a motivated Garrett ought to wreak havoc and assist the Browns’ protection disrupt Huge Ben and the Steelers.

4. The Browns pull out an in depth win to win their fifth straight

The Browns would have an uphill climb in opposition to the Steelers if Mayfield, Beckham, and Landry are unable to play, as all three are listed as questionable for Sunday. Regardless of the damage to working again Nick Chubb, Cleveland stays the perfect speeding workforce within the league due to Hunt and D’Ernest Johnson, who’ve each been enjoying effectively. However they are going to be dealing with a Steelers protection that permits a median of simply 64.Zero speeding yards per recreation, the second-best mark within the league.

If the Browns are to win, they must put their religion into the palms of Mayfield or Keenum. However their signal-caller will want his standard targets, and it’s important for Beckham, Landry, Higgins, and tight finish Austin Hooper to be current and at their finest. Their offense is clicking proper now below coach Kevin Stefanski, and if their finest gamers can be found on the sphere come Sunday and the protection can disrupt the Steelers’ offense, the Browns might win an in depth one and rack up their fifth straight win whereas blemishing Pittsburgh’s immaculate document.