MATCHUP BREAKDOWN
Brian Batko analyzes Sunday’s game from both sides of the ball.
Key performers: QB Baker Mayfield, RB Nick Chubb, RB Kareem Hunt, WR Jarvis Landry, WR Rashard Higgins, TE Austin Hooper, LT Jedrick Wills, RT Jack Conklin.
What’s been working: Against a defense dotted with backups at times in Week 17, the Browns rushed 31 times for 192 yards, second-most against the Steelers this season. Chubb, who missed the first meeting with the full-strength Steelers in October, led the way with 108 yards on just 14 carries, his most productive day since a 144-yard outing in Week 12. Mayfield contributed to that rushing total, too, scrambling six times for a season-high 44 yards, the last of which was a designed run to seal the win. Who’s hot (or not): The receiving corps is still in flux due to injuries and COVID-19, but Mayfield has been able to lean on his tight ends lately. Hooper has 16 catches for 149 yards and two touchdowns over the past three weeks, including a short score against the Steelers. Rookie Harrison Bryant had been getting more involved of late before missing the regular season finale on the reserve/ COVID-19 list, but in his absence, even once-promising first-round pick David Njoku stepped up for a key first-down reception that went for 14 yards.
Game plan: There won’t be any major tweaks to the game plan, but there will be to the offense. Head coach Kevin Stefanski, who calls the plays, will miss the game after testing positive for COVID-19. Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, the leading passer in Pitt history, will step in and do his best to establish the run while also keeping Mayfield in a rhythm. Picking their spots with play-action will be key.
Keep an eye on: Wills, a first-round pick, had his hands full last Sunday with fellow rookie Alex Highsmith. Highsmith had his best game yet as a pro, racking up a season-high nine tackles and his second career sack, beating Wills with a bevy of moves on Mayfield’s blindside. Now he’ll have T.J. Watt drawing extra attention on the opposite side, and Wills won’t have stalwart left guard Joel Bitonio next to him due to COVID-19.