Steelers vs. Browns Preview: Rodgers, Rising Rookies, and a Battle in the Trenches
As the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare to face the Cleveland Browns in a pivotal Week 17 AFC North clash, there’s no shortage of storylines to track. Both teams are still in the thick of the playoff hunt, and while the Browns have home-field advantage, the Steelers come into this one with a bit of late-season momentum and a few under-the-radar contributors stepping into the spotlight.
Let’s break down where Pittsburgh stands heading into this matchup - from Aaron Rodgers’ evolving role to the reshuffling of the receiving corps, and of course, the looming presence of Myles Garrett.
Rodgers’ Role: More About the Pieces Around Him Than a Personal Renaissance
Aaron Rodgers hasn’t exactly turned back the clock, but he hasn’t needed to. The story of his season isn’t about a dramatic resurgence - it’s about the infrastructure finally catching up around him.
Pittsburgh’s young offensive line has quietly become one of the more intriguing units in the league. Rookie center Zach Frazier might not be getting national buzz, but he’s been a rock in the middle - the kind of steady presence that allows a veteran like Rodgers to operate with confidence.
Alongside him, second-year linemen Troy Fautanu and Mason McCormick are showing signs they could be long-term fixtures. Even with injuries thinning the depth chart, backups like Dylan Cook, Andrus Peat, and Spencer Anderson have stepped in without the unit missing a beat.
Anderson, in particular, has been a Swiss Army knife in the Steelers’ frequent jumbo sets.
That improved protection has given Rodgers the time to figure out who he can trust. His arm isn’t what it once was, and his deep-to-intermediate accuracy can waver, but he’s still capable of making the throws that matter - especially when the run game is working.
The Steelers’ offense isn’t explosive, but it’s becoming functional. And with Rodgers, that’s often enough to win close games.
Life Without DK: Who Steps Up in the Receiving Game?
With DK Metcalf sidelined due to a suspension stemming from an incident involving a fan, Pittsburgh is forced to pivot. And the truth is, there’s no one-for-one replacement for a player like Metcalf.
After him, the team’s second-most targeted player is running back Kenneth Gainwell - a stat that tells you everything you need to know about the state of the Steelers’ passing game. Tight ends have been heavily involved, with three of them logging over 40 targets this season. Jaylen Warren, the starting running back, is also sitting at 40 targets, making it clear that the Steelers are leaning on short, high-percentage throws to move the chains.
Veterans Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Adam Thielen have been worked into the mix recently, and with two games left, the Steelers will likely continue to piece things together by committee. It’s not flashy, but it’s functional - and that’s been the theme of this offense down the stretch.
The Numbers Don’t Lie - But They Don’t Tell the Whole Story, Either
On paper, this team shouldn’t be anywhere near the top of the AFC North. The Steelers rank 27th in total offense and 28th in defense - and yet, here they are, in the thick of the division race.
The biggest issue? Offensive inconsistency.
Pittsburgh has run the fewest plays in the league, largely due to a rash of three-and-outs that have plagued them all year. When the run game stalls, the offense becomes one-dimensional, and that’s where the limitations of the passing game start to show.
Still, the Steelers have found ways to win ugly - and in December, that can be just as important as lighting up the scoreboard.
Defensive Bright Spots: Joey Porter Jr. and Derrick Harmon Emerge
While the Steelers’ defense hasn’t been dominant by the numbers, there are individual performances worth highlighting.
Joey Porter Jr. has been rock solid all year, but he’s taken it to another level over the past month. He’s playing with confidence, physicality, and the kind of lockdown ability that makes opposing quarterbacks think twice.
Meanwhile, rookie Derrick Harmon has made a noticeable difference since returning from injury. His presence was felt immediately, helping shut down Detroit’s typically potent rushing attack. He may not be a household name yet, but he’s quickly becoming a key piece of Pittsburgh’s run defense.
The Myles Garrett Factor: Keeping the Sack Record at Bay
Myles Garrett is sitting just one sack away from breaking the NFL’s single-season sack record, and the Steelers know it. Last time these two teams met, Pittsburgh managed to keep Garrett off the stat sheet in that category - a feat they’ll try to replicate this Sunday.
Mike Tomlin has made it clear that Garrett will get plenty of attention, as he should. But while the team may not be openly talking about the record, you can bet it’s in the back of some players’ minds - especially the young offensive linemen who’ll be tasked with keeping Rodgers upright.
Rodgers has one of the quickest releases in the league, which helps. But containing Garrett is never a one-man job - it’ll take a coordinated effort from the entire offensive front to keep the record intact for at least one more week.
Final Thoughts
This Steelers team is far from perfect. The offense is inconsistent, the defense has holes, and the receiving corps is a patchwork operation. But they’re scrappy, they’re improving, and they’ve found ways to win when it matters.
Against a Browns team that’s just as hungry, this Week 17 matchup isn’t just about playoff implications - it’s a test of identity. Can the Steelers continue to win ugly?
Can the young offensive line rise to the occasion against one of the league’s most dominant pass rushers? Can Rodgers summon just enough magic to pull out another close one?
We’re about to find out.