Ben Roethlisberger set to return as the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Cleveland Browns
The Pittsburgh Steelers-Cleveland Browns rivalry is one of the most storied in all of professional football. The two teams will be meeting for the 117th time this Sunday, October 17, but it will be Ben Roethlisberger who steals all the headlines as he makes
his return to the Steelers lineup after serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.
Recent records
The Steelers have a slim 60-56 edge over the Browns in their historic rivalry, but the Steelers have absolutely dominated the last decade, winning 18 of the last 21 meetings. The Browns, however, did win the most recent contest 13-6, in Cleveland, in what
was considered the coldest game ever between the two teams with the wind chill dropping to well below zero.
So far this season, the Browns are off to a poor start. After getting their first win of the season in the battle of Ohio, over the Cincinnati Bengals two weeks ago, the Browns were defeated by the 4-1 Atlanta Falcons last week.
Despite being without their starting quarterback for their first four games, the defence-first Steelers did remarkably well, winning their first three games before losing to a formidable Baltimore Ravens side.
How they match up
Ben Roethlisberger has put up no numbers so far this season, but he's coming into this game refreshed. He's got a proven track record of success and is a two-time Super Bowl winner.
Colt McCoy also has put up no numbers because he's never played in an NFL regular season game in his young life. He will be up against a punishing Pittsburgh Steelers defence (ranked fourth in the NFL). To say that there is a mismatch at quarterback would
be an understatement.
Running back Rashard Mendenhall has been the main offensive threat for the Steelers and has carried the ball for over 400 yards and four touchdowns. But with Roethlisberger in the lineup, one would expect the game plan to change a little with receivers Hines
Ward and Antwaan Randle El getting a chance to see more of the ball.
The Steelers have not become known for winning with their offence. The offence only ever needs to score more points than the defence allows, and, as it stands, that isn't much. The Steelers lead the league in points allowed per game with 12.5. If you figure
that Mendenhall is good for a least one touchdown, and kicker Jeff Reed good for two field goals (as he's averaged so far this year), then that's a win right there.
Browns tight end Benjamin Watson has been the main target for the Browns' quarterbacks and has 23 receptions on the year.
Running back Peyton Hillis has been decent rushing for 350 yards, but he's now up against the league's best run defence.
What to expect
By all accounts this should be a whitewash as the Browns are outmatched in every way. But who know? Perhaps the Steelers are going to come up against a severe case of Murphy's law.
The Browns may even win 13-10.
Tags: