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Game picks for Week 12
The Steelers will look to get to 9-2 by doing something they’ve never done before – win a road divisional game on Thursday night. Will they be able to defeat the lowly Browns? Here are our staff picks.
You would have to imagine the Pittsburgh Steelers have now done everything they can to prove they are legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Now, it is time to prove they can avoid the games where they play down to less-talented opponents and drop games they should not. The Cleveland Browns have struggled mightily all season despite an impressive win over Baltimore. Their offense has fallen apart with a new QB and WR core than the one that started this season. A multiple score loss to the New Orleans Saints last week leaves them looking for vengeance and the opportunity to play spoiler against the Steelers. It will be crucial for the Steelers to keep the pedal to metal and run through the Browns like they should. With the AFC North in their hands, and possibly the AFC up for grabs, each and every game is important. – Alex Hanczar
Steelers at Browns on Thursday Night Football. Sound familiar? It has happened twice in the past five seasons and the Steelers have lost both. What makes this game different? The Browns have lost what makes them a formidable opponent. The defense has taken a step down from its great performance in 2023, the offensive line is playing at a lesser level than it has in years, and the offensive firepower just has not been there this season. The Steelers are red-hot and have been successful on the road against teams they have had problems with in the past such as the Broncos and the Raiders. All signs point to the Steelers, but fans know this could be a letdown. Playing a Thursday Night Football game after playing the Ravens is a bad recipe, just look at the game in Minnesota in 2021 for reference. All that being said the Steelers appear to be on a mission this season and there are very few battles I see the Browns outdoing the Steelers in this game. Steelers start out slow but have a strong second half to win 24-16. – Austin Cave
This has all the makings of a classic “trap game” for the black and gold. Mike Tomlin has never won a road divisional Thursday night game (0-5). Couple that with the Steelers coming off a physical, hard-fought victory over the Ravens – the ingredients for disaster are palpable. This also feels like the Browns Super Bowl, because they have nothing else to play for. However.. this Steelers team has a different vibe compared to recent squads. Russell Wilson will be much better than he was against Baltimore, and I think Justin Fields will be utilized more frequently, especially in the red zone. Jameis Winston will make some great plays, but also a few boneheaded ones – in Winston fashion. Steelers in a tight one, 20-17. – Mike Nicastro
It’s a short week after the Ravens matchup, an away game, a divisional rivalry, and the weather looks like it’ll be bad. The Browns have some talented players on both sides of the ball — this won’t be a gimme. While I think this could go either way due to the circumstances, Cleveland has only broken the 20 point threshold once this season. Pittsburgh is the better team will have some margin for error: Steelers 20, Browns 17 – Ryland Bickley
There are no trap games in the NFL. It’s an any given Sunday (or Thursday) league. The narrative that Tomlin plays down to lesser teams is also a tall tale. Over the last four years, he’s 23-8-1 against teams that finished the season below .500. Despite all of that, this is an AFC North game on the road in the cold and snow. Throw style points out the window. Steelers 17, Browns 16 – Kyle Chrise
Jameis Winston has started three games for the Browns. In those three games has thrown over 40 passes in each and totaled 11 sacks, three picks, and two fumbles. TJ Watt has 17 sacks in 12 games against the Browns. Watt ends any Myles Garrett conversation with a monster game. Offensively, the wind will affect the moon ball effectiveness and it will be another ugly struggle. Boswell 15, Browns 9. – Tom Fox
This is an odd spot for the Pittsburgh Steelers, walking into an obviously winnable game but one that is bound to be a hard-fought, physical contest against two teams that … kind of hate each other. The Steelers are playing with a chip on their shoulders and have proven themselves more than capable of winning the turnover battle; given that turnovers are a weakness, especially with QB Jameis Winston (Mr. 30 TD, 30 INT) under center. The history of this matchup (on the road against the Browns and Mike Tomlin on MNF) says Cleveland could walk away with this one, but it’s difficult to ignore the fact that the Steelers have them outmatched in all three phases. Steelers 17, Browns 10. – Kate Magdziuk
The Steelers have won five straight, and they are certainly the better team in this matchup. However, on a short week following a hard-fought game against their division rivals? It’s as prime a spot for a loss as any, especially going on the road on Thursday night to face a divisional opponent – a situation in which they have never won. Pittsburgh won’t win every game, and this is one they drop. Browns 22 Steelers 20. – Jarrett Bailey
Steelers Read & React is back to preview Pittsburgh’s Week 12 opponent, the 2-8 Cleveland Browns. Are the Browns better than their record shows? That’s debatable, but they’re an AFC North rival, almost guaranteeing that Thursday’s matchup won’t be drama-free.
What to expect from the Browns’ offense
Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images
Rushing Y/G: 88.5 (29th)
Passing Y/G: 202. 8 (20th)
Points Per Game: 16.2 (31st)
RB: Cleveland’s offense has improved a bit since Jameis Winston took over for an injured Deshaun Watson at quarterback. But as can be seen from the metrics above, the Browns offense is still one of the NFL’s worst.
Cleveland is tied for the least touchdowns scored this season with 15; they have the worst yards per play at just 4.4. Watching the Browns’ game against the Saints, the offense is rarely a train wreck, but it fails to do anything consistently.
That’s a trait that’s more or less defined Winston’s career — he’s the guy who threw 33 touchdowns to 30 interceptions in 2019. With the Browns, that ratio has calmed down a bit, at least: 6:3 in three starts.
In fact, the Browns’ offense relies heavily on the short passing game with Winston, and it was largely successful against New Orleans. Winston was dealing on Sunday, throwing for a season-high 395 yards. His group of pass-catchers is notably without a WR1, but Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman, and David Njoku are big, athletic targets who can move the chains. Elijah Moore (315 yards this season) remains a solid option in the slot.
However, Winston’s deep ball remains incredibly hit and miss. That doesn’t mean he won’t attempt it though — he was throwing downfield a lot against New Orleans. Sometimes it works — Jeudy had an 89-yard touchdown in a monster, 142-yard game — but a number were quite inaccurate and/or thrown into crowded coverage.
The Steelers secondary will need to be ready on Thursday night. The Browns pass at the second-highest rate in the NFL (65.9% of plays). The short game could be a problem, but the downfield throws, although threatening, should present some turnover opportunities.
As a result of a pass-heavy offense, the Browns face the most light boxes (six or fewer defenders) in the NFL, 60.7% of the time. You’d think that would result in some success running the ball, but it hasn’t really materialized. The Browns have the NFL’s second worst rushing attack in terms of yards per game.
The Cleveland offensive line has struggled to get push in the ground game, and running back Nick Chubb, who’s played four games since returning from last year’s season-ending knee injury, is averaging a career-worst 3.1 yards per carry. He hasn’t regained his old explosiveness just yet.
With ugly weather expected on Thursday night, the Browns might have to rely on their struggling running game more than usual. If that’s the case, it’s good news for Pittsburgh.
And although this doesn’t have to do with the offense, it does have to do with field conditions and scoring points: Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins missed twice last week in the Superdome, once from 51 yards another from 27. That could be a situation to monitor.
There’s also some important news on the injury report: The Browns will be without both Dawand Jones and Jedrick Wills Jr. at left tackle against Pittsburgh, meaning the job will likely fall to backup lineman Germain Ifedi, who normally plays on the right side. That will immediately be a matchup Pittsburgh will try to exploit; Nick Herbig and Preston Smith could have good days, and the Steelers could also move T.J. Watt around.
Overall, the Browns offense isn’t that innovative, multifaceted, or explosive. It’s a favorable matchup for Pittsburgh. But there are still some things that Pittsburgh should be wary of. For one, Chubb has been an elite running back for much of his career, and is primed for a bounce back game eventually.
Im dead serious when I say 24 is so close to breaking one- the cuts, the vision, the burst
Sunday he had his best yards per carry (4.5) of the season
Tomorrows weather calls for heavy rain & 16mph winds
Winston has long been unpredictable, and his gunslinger style of play is always a threat. Beyond that, former Bills offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey took over Cleveland’s play-calling from head coach Kevin Stefanski back in Week 8 — there isn’t a ton of tape out there on Dorsey’s new-look Browns offense, and there’s room for the unexpected.
However, if Pittsburgh can shut down the run game and force mistakes and negative plays in the passing game, they have a very good chance at shutting down a Cleveland offense that’s only scored over 20 points once this season.
And what about the defense?
Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images
Rushing Y/G: 131.7 (24th)
Passing Y/G: 211.0 (16th)
Points Allowed Per Game: 24.8 (24th)
RP: What a difference a year makes. In 2023, Cleveland was one of the hottest defenses in the league. The Browns ranked 10th against the rush, second against the pass, and star defensive end Myles Garrett infamously took home Defensive Player of the Year honors despite having fewer sacks, tackles, tackles for loss, and QB hits than TJ Watt. Now? Cleveland ranks among the bottom half or worse against the run, pass and points allowed.
They’re actually barely giving up any more points (they averaged 22.6 points allowed in 2023), but the Jim Schwartz-led defense has lost its juice this year. And don’t just take my word for it, Cleveland fans are saying the same thing.
On paper, the Browns are the type of defense the Steelers offense should be excited to play. Cleveland’s rushing defense was struggling prior to rangy linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah’s injury, but they have cratered since. Heading into their Week 8 game against the Ravens, the Browns had allowed 126.1 rushing yards per game. Owusu-Koramoah injured his neck in the final minute of the third quarter. Cleveland had allowed 67 yards on 13 attempts (5.1 YPC). In the fourth quarter, Cleveland allowed 57 yards on eight attempts (7.1), which included both a long Lamar Jackson scramble and a 2-yard touchdown from Derrick Henry.
In the two games since Owusu-Koramoah’s injury, the Browns have held the Chargers to 96 rushing yards and been steamrolled by the Saints for 214 yards at an average of 6.0 yards-per-carry.
Cleveland defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz’s defense is known for his aggressive use of stunts and rush design with his defensive line, mixed with simulated pressure. He rarely blitzes but has a reputation for being successful when he does. However, Schwartz’s defenses have years of extreme peaks and valleys. Clever offenses are able to counter Schwartz’s aggressive style with misdirections and presnap motions. That should put a strength of the Steelers against a weakness of the Cleveland’s.
If that doesn’t calm some of your trap game nerves, let me delight in informing you that Devin Bush is a starting linebacker for the Browns. We know how he plays against the run.
On paper, Cleveland should have an excellent secondary. Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson Jr., and Greg Newsome II are all sticky man corners that shouldn’t be taken lightly. That said, remember how I mentioned earlier that clever offenses are able to counter against the Browns’ aggressive playstyle? I want you to watch safety Grant Delpit (orange sleeves), Ward (21) and safety Juan Thornhill (1) on this play.
Browns week. If Cleveland’s going to bite this hard on a play action…
We go over the lines on FanDuel Sportsbook and pick out our favorite Steelers-Browns player props for Week 12.
Following a 12-round bout against the Baltimore Ravens, the Pittsburgh Steelers now focus on another AFC North opponent, the Cleveland Browns. It will be a short week for both sides as the two meet for primetime on Thursday Night in Cleveland. While these two could not be more different in terms of this season, sparks will undoubtedly fly when these two clash.
Speaking of sparks, hopefully, we can spark a victory with a few of our favorite player props to consider for the Steelers’ Week 12 matchup against the Browns on Thursday Night Football.
The Steelers QB1 comes into this contest after yet another 200+ pass-yard game, even against a stingy Ravens defense. Now, he will get the chance to do it against a struggling Cleveland side giving up 226.5 pass yards per game so far this season.
The undefeated QB has not failed to surpass this line thus far in his time with the black and gold. In fact, the closest he has gotten to the mark is his 195-yard performance against the Washington Commanders two weeks ago. While the weather does not look ideal, 186 seems slightly disrespectful to Wilson. Think of it this way: this line is much closer to his floor than it is to his ceiling.
Jaylen Warren OVER 52.5 rushing + receiving yards (-114)
Ever since Jaylen Warren worked through his early season injury bug he has been on an absolute tear for Pittsburgh. Whether it be in the run game, the passing game, or both, Warren is back to 2023 form.
With his line at 52.5 against the Browns, Warren should likely smash this number. With his health back to normal and his production high, Warren should see an increase in snap share. The Oklahoma State product is averaging 70.25 yards rushing plus receiving per game in that stretch. With it looking to be a gloomy night in Cleveland, the Steelers backs will likely get plenty of runs and check-down passes from Russell Wilson.
Jameis Winston to throw an INT (-198)
Jameis Winston has been solid for the Browns over his three starts this season only throwing an interception in just of the three contests. The problem here is that he threw three interceptions in that one game. That game happened to be against statistically the best defense in the NFL the Los Angeles Chargers.
Now, Winston will see the second-best defense statistically in the Steelers. The Steeler’s pass rush has caused quarterbacks fits all season long and even forced Lamar Jackson into an interception last week. Of their ten games played this season, the Steelers have failed to bring in an interception in just three outings. Expect them to come at Winston fast and furious knowing his performance against Los Angeles two weeks ago.
How to ensure you do not miss a moment of this Week 12 contest
For the second time in less than a week, the Pittsburgh Steelers will meet another AFC North foe. This time around, it will be the Cleveland Browns from Huntington Bank Field under the Thursday Night lights.
The tale of these two could not be more different in terms of their fates this season. The Steelers were predicted by many to digress and finish toward the bottom of the AFC North. The Browns, on the other hand, were thought of by many as a fringe playoff team. Now, in Week 12, the Steelers sit atop the division at 8-2, while Cleveland sits at the bottom at 2-8. Although, this is the AFC North, and absolutely anything is possible in this division. It was just three weeks ago that the Browns shocked everyone by taking down the Baltimore Ravens on this same field they will host Pittsburgh.
Without any further adieu, here’s all you need to know on how to watch the Steelers vs. Browns to kick off Week 12.
How to watch Steelers vs. Browns
Date: Thursday, November 21
Game time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Local TV channel: WPXI-TV (PIT) or WEWS News 5 (CLE)
Since Steelers-Browns is a Thursday Night Football game, it will air on PRIME VIDEO, Amazon Prime’s video streaming service. The good news is that those with an Amazon Prime subscription can watch the game for free. However, if you’re not an Amazon Prime subscriber, it’s an inconvenience. The monthly cost for Amazon Prime is $14.99, or you can sign up for an annual subscription for $139.
With a valid Amazon Prime login, you can watch the game via desktop on Amazon’s website, or using the Prime Video app, available for most phones, tablets, and smart TVs.
If you don’t have an Amazon Prime subscription but are located within the United States, you can also watch Steelers-Browns with an NFL+ subscription. With NFL+, users can watch live local and primetime games in the regular and postseasons, with additional access to watch NFL Network. A subscription is available for $6.99 per month or $49.99 annually. With just three months left in the season, it makes the most financial sense to subscribe monthly if you’re primarily looking to watch games and don’t intend on watching NFL Network.
The Pittsburgh Steelers (8-2) are coming off an emotional victory over the Baltimore Ravens that gaven them sole possession of first place in the division. This week, they will have to play on short rest against the Cleveland Browns (2-8) on Thursday Night Football. I spoke with Chris Pokorny of Dawgs By Natureto get a better idea of what to expect in this week’s matchup.
You can read my questions and his answers below:
1. The season hasn’t gone how Browns fans would have wanted. From the outside looking in, the team seems too talented for their 2-8 record. What’s been the biggest reason for the way this season has gone? Is it all on the quarterback play? Injuries? The staff?
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Initially, I think a lot of it was on the quarterback play. Deshaun Watson’s play was so uninspiring, so limiting, that it got to the point where I think it was just tough for anyone to believe the team could win. It’s insane that in all the games Watson played this season, the Browns didn’t score 20 points once, and he didn’t throw for over 200 yards passing once. And yet, as soon as Jameis Winston plays, he’s thrown for 300+ yards in two of his three games, and not having much of an issue putting at least some drives together.
Unfortunately, the Browns are still 1-2 without Watson, and I think that is where the disappointment of the defense shines brighter. So I don’t spoil one of your later questions, I’ll address the defense in a bit.
As far as coaching goes, I think the team was also hurt by hiring Ken Dorsey as their offensive coordinator. He was hired to try to put together an offense that was more fit for Watson, despite it going against the strengths of the rest of the personnel on offense. It just didn’t work, and the team has had a lot of special teams lapses too, aside from the punter. Now it’s frustrating because there’s still a lot of season left, but we have nothing to look forward to and now all of the big salary cap numbers look dreadful heading into 2025.
2. What’s been the biggest change on offense since the change at quarterback?
Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images
The offense has looked potent in two of three games since Jameis Winston became the quarterback. To a degree, it’s tough to judge because he’s succeeded against two bad defenses (Baltimore and New Orleans), but struggled by throwing three interceptions against a Chargers defense that allows the fewest points in the NFL. He just has the presence of an NFL-caliber quarterback. That might sound so basic, but the reason I phrase it light that is to show just how far Watson had fallen in terms of productivity.
Watson was so slow with his dropback and decision-making, didn’t anticipate throws, and didn’t have a feel for the pocket, but was really too slow to escape rushes. Winston is giving these wide receivers a chance to shine, which has probably become the best unit on the team to watch over the past three weeks despite having traded Amari Cooper away. I think the receivers were getting open before (with Watson), but now they’re actually getting the ball on timed routes, and also being able to have some yards after the catch too since Winston isn’t staring everything down like Watson was.
3. Second-year receiver Cedric Tillman has been having a breakout performance over the past month. The Steelers didn’t see him much during his rookie season. What can you tell us about the young wideout?
Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images
Cedric Tillman was not utilized much in his first six games this season, catching 3 passes for 9 yards. After Amari Cooper was traded, in his last four games, Tillman has 35 catches for 302 yards and 3 touchdowns. He has benefited both from Watson being gone, and now being a starter, finally getting a chance to shine after being behind three higher-paid receivers previously.
If this season is a wash, then the development of Tillman is one of the things we hope can continue blossoming in these final seven games. I wouldn’t say he is doing anything exceptional yet per se, but you can see the hunger, confidence, and route running ability on display when he’s getting 8+ targets a game instead of spinning his wheels hoping that the ball comes his way once. Tillman has been able to shine more, but the same has been true for more established receivers in Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore, which again points back to the change in quarterback.
4. The defense is still able to pressure the quarterback at a high rate, but the Browns have regressed in other areas from last year’s elite unit. Can you give us the state of Cleveand’s defense at this point in the season?
I think it’s a combination of things. First, last year in these Q&A’s, I kept telling opposing blogs that teams that utilize misdirection, end arounds, or find ways to take advantage of the Browns’ aggressiveness on defense can make them look nothing like a top defense in the league. I feel one of the top reasons the Browns’ defense ranked so well last year was because they played so aggressive in every facet that teams were just shocked by it and didn’t know what to do. Before they knew it, they were sacked, or turning the ball over. It struck fear in them.
Then, smart offensive coordinators used that aggressiveness against them, and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz didn’t adjust: he still wants Cleveland to attack, attack, attack. What we’ve found is that against teams like Jacksonville and Cincinnati, which are too stubborn to adjust and just have their quarterback drop back against this defense, the Browns’ defense looks like it can still thrive. Other teams know the blueprint and take advantage of it.
And then, against other offenses that are bad, Cleveland has had issues this year in which they dominate on 90% of the snaps, but those other 10% of the snaps, they have a big communication issue that leads to an easy touchdown. By the end of the game, we’re thinking, “We should have owned that team, but those three lapses led to three big touchdown plays out of no where.”And they haven’t been able to fix it. Frustrating.
5. Fan Duel has the Steelers as 4.5-point road favorites. Any fan of a team in this division knows the sportsbooks are no match for the chaos that is AFC North Football™, but what’s your best guess at how this game goes?
That’s right about AFC North football — anything goes; just look at the Browns upsetting the Ravens a couple of weeks ago. I am taking the Steelers to win this game, though.
Pittsburgh has found a good formula, and if they saw Taysom Hill run for three touchdowns in the Wildcat on Sunday, then they’d probably love to try the same with an even faster Justin Fields on some plays. I can’t imagine Cleveland’s defense corrects that issue so quickly.
And then offensively, even though Jameis Winston gives this team a chance to move the ball, he struggled with turnovers against the Chargers two games ago, so I expect a similar setback against a good Steelers defense. The weather could be something that makes the game up-for-grabs, but we’re also talking about a Browns kicker in Dustin Hopkins who missed a 32- and 27-yard field goal this past Sunday in a dome.
Photo by Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
It’s no secret that Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell has had the special sauce this year, earning his second AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honor this season following a stunning outing against the Baltimore Ravens. In Week 11, he accounted for each of the team’s 18 points with six total field goals made — including three from 50+ yards.
It was the second game this season where Boswell had made six field goals — the first time being back in Week 1’s 18-10 road win over the Atlanta Falcons, having also won AFC Special Teams Player of the Week then. Boswell’s Week 11 accomplishment made him the first player in NFL history with six field goals made in three separate career games.
Boswell has made a league-high 29 field goals this year, kicking at a 96.7% clip (100% on extra points, mind you). He’s got a three-game lead on the nearest kicker (Kai’imi Fairbairn, Houston Texans) and could be well on his way to making NFL history at this point.
Former journeyman kicker David Akers currently holds the NFL record for most field goals made in a single season with 44, a feat he accomplished in the 2011 season at the age of 37. Akers attempted 52 field goals that year, for just an 84.6% FGM percentage, and his long that year was a kick of 55 yards. That means Boswell needs just 16 more field goals over the next seven games to beat the NFL record — an average of 2.28 per game, which could be well within reach.
Boswell, a 1x NFL Pro Bowler, has scored 1,076 points over his 10-year career, which ranks only behind kicker Gary Anderson in all-time scoring for the franchise. Notably, he is outpacing him on a points-per-game basis, as Boswell sits with 7.5 PPG compared to Anderson’s 6.8.
Do you think Boswell breaks Akers’ record for most field goals in a season?
Trice Jr. has been trending toward a potential return…
The Pittsburgh Steelers have released their final injury report ahead of Week 12’s matchup with the Cleveland Browns, and praise be — it’s mostly good news, and more importantly, there are no major surprises.
The team has only designated two players as out for Week 12 and not a single player as “questionable” — a pretty remarkable achievement considering they’re 10 games into the year and playing on a short week.
Unsurprisingly, edge rusher Alex Highsmith is out for the second straight week with an ankle injury suffered in Week 10. Tomlin noted on Monday that he expected as much; Highsmith is yet to return to practice following the injury that was expected to sideline him around 2-3 weeks.
The bigger surprise (though not a shocking development) is the fact that cornerback Cory Trice Jr. has been ruled out for this game. He’s been out since suffering the injury in Week 3 and has logged four full practices since the team opened his 21-day practice window from injured reserve last week. The team has generally been cautious with their approach to injuries, however, so it’s possible the team would like to see him log a full week of practices (which he technically has yet to do given the nature of a short week playing on Thursday Night Football).
Steelers injury report Week 12
OUT: CB Cory Trice Jr. (hamstring), OLB Alex Highsmith (ankle)
Questionable: N/A
Steelers practice report for Wednesday, November 20
Full: CB Cory Trice Jr. (hamstring), TE MyCole Pruitt (knee/rest)
Ryan Parish and Ryland Bickley tackle the week’s hottest topics. This week: Mike Tomlin’s Coach of the Year case, red zone struggles, Hard Knocks stars, and more!
Following a Week 11 win over the Baltimore Ravens, it’s never been better for the Steelers in 2024. But there’s still plenty more to look forward to: marquee matchups, AFC North rivalries, in-season Hard Knocks, and of course, the playoffs keep inching closer.
We dive into the upcoming schedule and much more in this week’s Read & React:
Is Mike Tomlin the 2024 Coach of the Year?
Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images
RP: As much as I think he deserves it, Tomlin has aged himself out of the demographic for Coach of the Year’s usual recipients. Coach of the Year is an extremely narrative-driven award, and is typically given to the newest coach on the team with the lowest expectations to pull off a playoff run. We have plenty of examples in recent years: Sean McVay (2017), Kevin Stefanski (2020), Brian Daboll (2022), Matt Nagy (2018) and Jim Harbaugh (2011) are all recent examples of first-year coaches to win the award.
However, the NFL is open to other narratives as winners. Mike Vrabel (2021) won the award for unexpectedly leading the Titans to the AFC’s top seed in his fourth year. Stefanski won the award again last year for surviving half a season of Deshaun Watson quarterback play to make the playoffs with old Joe Flacco. Jason Garrett (2016) went 13-3 with rookies Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott leading the way, and John Harbaugh (2019) got the Lamar bump in Jackson’s first season as a starter. Bruce Arians got the award in 2012 with rookie Andrew Luck and for filling in admirably while Colts coach Chuck Pagano missed the season while battling leukemia. Arians won again in his second season in Arizona in 2014. Ron Rivera (2013, 2015) got the award twice for holding the head coach title during Cam Newton’s two best statistical seasons.
All that’s to say, the NFL rarely gives coaches like Tomlin the award. They like new faces, whether it’s the coaches themselves or coaches with young exciting quarterbacks. Russell Wilson and Justin Fields are probably too talented to get the 2023 Stefanski treatment.
Does Tomlin deserve the award? Yes. Will he be the Coach of the Year in my personal record book? Certainly. Will the NFL agree? Call me jaded, but I think Dan Campbell (turning Detroit into a dominant team), Dan Quinn (Jayden Daniels and first year with a new team bump), Kevin O’Connell (winning with Sam Darnold), or Jonathan Gannon (low expectations) if the Cardinals win the NFC West, will better fit the narratives the award voters tend to favor, especially if the Steelers drop a game or two during their insane December schedule. I think Tomlin’s only chance is if the Steelers win out.
RB: Tomlin is definitely a top candidate. The Steelers’ history means a successful season is rarely the story it would be with other teams, but don’t forget just how low the expectations were for Pittsburgh ahead of the season. Tomlin finally got some winning quarterback play, and just like that, Pittsburgh is overperforming even the most optimistic of predictions.
The Steelers haven’t been anything revolutionary schematically, but they’ve been dominant in second halves, are top-10 in point differential, and are holding up well so far with a difficult schedule. If that keeps up, those are all strong arguments for Tomlin’s Coach of the Year case. Generally, the award goes to a coach whose team is succeeding more than expected, and that fits the 2024 Steelers.
But don’t forget that there’s some tough competition. Jim Harbaugh has the “rebuilding” Chargers at 7-3. Even Sean Payton is a candidate, with the 6-5 Broncos looking like a playoff team with rookie Bo Nix under center.
Moving to the NFC, Dan Quinn and rookie passer Jayden Daniels are turning the Commanders franchise around. Media darling Dan Campbell has the Lions looking like the best team in football, while Kevin O’Connell has led the Vikings to an 8-2 record with Sam Darnold as the starting quarterback. Jonathan Gannon has the oft-forgotten Cardinals in the current lead of the NFC West.
Tomlin’s work this season has been impressive, but he’s far from the only coach deserving of the award. I think AP voters will find a better story elsewhere and Tomlin won’t win, but he should certainly be in consideration — and plenty of the season is left for him to differentiate himself.
How can the Steelers fix their red zone struggles?
It’s a great first-and-10 play call, with the Steelers setting up the screen well and leaving George Pickens with a one-on-one with the safety. That safety is Kyle Hamilton, so who knows if Pickens breaks free, but Pittsburgh is giving its most dynamic player an open field opportunity. No notes, Arthur Smith.
However, Pickens catches the ball, bumps into a blocking Pat Freiermuth, and the Ravens defense catches up to minimize the gain. You can’t scheme it up much better, but a few little things went wrong and sabotaged the play. That’s just life in the NFL and not necessarily something that needs an overhaul.
But later on, we see some systemic issues in the offense that go beyond the true-but-broad categories of “lots of pressure on the quarterback” and “the receivers aren’t getting open.” More specifically, the spacing needs work on some of the team’s route concepts.
Check out the first play that caught my eye. On the right side of the screen, you can see George Pickens and Calvin Austin III running some sort of corner/out combination. Look how close Austin is to Pickens, essentially taking away any chance of Wilson throwing to either because the defender covering Austin can easily make a play on both.
Sure, it’s third-and-eight here and Austin is running to where the sticks are, but it’s going to be tough for either to make a play here due to the spacing.
Think I’m being nitpicky? Here’s Pickens and Cordarrelle Patterson actually running into each other on a play that was mercifully stopped due to a false start.
Finally, here’s my favorite example, which results in the Steelers’ top three red zone targets running aimlessly into the same chunk of the end zone while Wilson is running for his life behind the line of scrimmage.
In the red zone, the defense is just too compressed — that was never going to work.
There’s plenty to fix in those clips, but for the spacing, it comes down to two main elements: some of these Arthur Smith red zone concepts need to be adjusted or just thrown out of the playbook. But there’s also sloppy route running in many cases that needs to be corrected — just look at how slow that last clip plays out. Brutal.
RP: I’m fully in agreement with Ryland that route spacing is probably the number one issue. Throw on any of the Steelers’ tape from this year and you’ll spot this issue in every game, and not just exclusively in the red zone. But since Bickley highlighted that so well, I’ll provide another, likely unpopular to bring up factor: Russell Wilson.
No, I’m not here to doom and gloom or hate on Wilson’s game. But there are things to consider here. No way around it, he hasn’t been good in the red zone this season. On passing attempts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line, Russ has completed just 7-of-24 passes. That’s a completion percentage of just 29.2 percent. Focus that in to plays within the 10-yard line, and Russ is just 2-14 (14.3 percent). He’s turned four of those seven completions into touchdowns — and both of his completions inside the 10-yard line went for touchdowns — and his only interception came last week.
I’ve been saying all year that rooting for Wilson is a roller coaster with its fair share of frustrations. He’s a volatile quarterback, but he’s had a successful career because he’s got a knack for making just enough plays during the flow of the game to win more often than not. But efficient? Hardly.
The red zone is the perfect spot to appreciate the duality of the Russell Wilson experience. Of Wilson’s 340 career passing touchdowns, 225 (66.2 percent) have come from the red zone, and 143 (42 percent) have come from within the 10-yard line. He’s also been good about limiting turnovers, with just 14 career interceptions in the red zone. Of those interceptions, however, nine have come within the 10-yard line. Wilson also sees his completion percentage plummet in the red zone. In his career, Wilson is completing 64.7% of his passes. That plummets significantly inside the 20 (53.09%) and within the 10 (51.05%).
Some of that — but not all — has to do with where Wilson likes to throw the ball. As we’ve discussed previously, Wilson is like a modern NBA player: all threes and layups. In football terms, that means he thrives throwing deep shots down the sideline or short passes to the outside near the line of scrimmage.
russell wilson’s target heatmap through the years is climate change. the coastlines are being eroded pic.twitter.com/JnTOGcoplF
When you get to the red zone, naturally, the field shrinks. There’s less space to cover vertically and the horizontal game comes more into play. Look at the graphs above and visualize the field. Quite simply, there is less space to work with in the red zone. If the quarterback relies mostly on the sideline, that means screens and contested catch balls are going to be something you rely on, and those are high-reward, low-efficiency endeavors. Wilson’s had a successful career finding them, but when they aren’t hitting it can be frustrating as hell to watch.
Let’s look at the interception against Baltimore, it highlights several things going wrong with the Steelers’ execution in the red zone. For starters, look at the spacing as Bickley highlighted. Darnell Washington and Calvin Austin on the right and George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth on the left are running the exact same route combinations on opposite sides of the field. Look where those receivers are the moment Russ gets spooked in the pocket.
The outside routes do nothing to make it easy for Wilson. On both sides of the field, the targets are so close together, that any throw Wilson makes will likely be contested by at least one defender, if not two. Russ’ options here are to either:
a) Throw a corner fade to the diminutive Calvin Austin who isn’t a contested catch threat, and the throw would need to be perfect to protect the ball from the defender.
b) Low and away to Washington, which at best would be short of the end zone and at worst could be jumped by the defender.
c) Turn and throw across his body to Freiermuth and hope it doesn’t get jumped by the defender.
d) Throw an even crazier cross-body throw to Pickens who is fully turned and not headed to the back corner.
e) Check it down to the back who is short of the goal line and would have to get through two, maybe three, Ravens to score.
f) Scramble up the middle, hope to get past the defensive tackle and then have to deal with at least three other Ravens defenders between him and the goal line.
Arthur Smith didn’t make it easy on Wilson here, but Wilson is not without blame. Wilson has always been antsy in the pocket, it’s part of his backyard style of play. That’s a double-edged sword because it has allowed him to make numerous highlights in his career, but will also often make plays harder than they needed to be.
He’s one of the most sacked quarterbacks of all time for a reason. He will sometimes drift to a side of the pocket or outright scramble out of it when he doesn’t see a play developing right away. Sometimes it’s the right call, sometimes it kills a play unnecessarily. As a fan, you learn to live with it. Still, this was a bad play for Wilson who reacted to the pressure early, spun wildly, and then made the poor decision to put this ball in harm’s way.
I intend to do a more extensive film room look at Russ and the Steelers’ red zone issues following the Thursday night game against Cleveland, so keep your eyes out for that. For now, I’ll conclude my answer by summarizing: Arthur Smith needs to work on the spacing of his red zone route concepts, and Russ needs to make quicker decisions. The red zone efficiency almost can’t get worse than it has been statistically, but I do think it can get better. There’s still time for the Steelers to figure it out before the playoffs.
Is Thursday night versus the Browns a trap game?
Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images
RB: With the Browns being the hated rival they are and a mini bye week following the Thursday night game, I have a hard time believing the Steelers are going to overlook this one.
However, while Pittsburgh is clearly the better team, a win is far from guaranteed. It’s a short week, an away game, and directly following a physical matchup against the Ravens. Plus, the weather forecast is doing its best to guarantee another ugly edition of Thursday Night Football.
Beyond that, parity is the name of the game in the NFL — the Browns might’ve lost by 21 to the Saints on Sunday, but they also recently beat Baltimore and gave the Eagles and Bengals a run for their money. Oh yeah, Steelers-Browns is another heated AFC North rivalry and Cleveland has had some flashes this season with Jameis Winston at quarterback.
The Steelers know this. It’s going to be a tough game, but not a trap.
RP: I don’t believe so, if only because I think the short week negates that. I know a trap game is technically any unexpected loss, but to me, a trap game has always symbolized a game where you look past your opponent to a game in the future. The Steelers are a savvy enough team not to underestimate the voodoo that is AFC North Football™. Cleveland is a more talented team than their record suggests and Jameis Winston has their offense moving the ball better than they were under Deshaun Watson. If the Steelers drop this one, I think I’d chalk it up to having only three days of rest and preparation more than “overlooking” a division rival.
The official trailer for Hard Knocks: In Season with the AFC North has dropped. Who do you think will be the star of the series for the Steelers?
Stay tuned for a special Read & React Hard Knocks podcast following Dec. 3 — we’re trying something new!
RP: I expect Tomlin and Russell Wilson to get most of the early focus, but that doesn’t necessarily make a Hard Knocks star. I’m personally most excited for DeShon Elliott and Patrick Queen ahead of the Ravens game. The trailer showed clips from the Giants game, so I have to imagine we get something from the first Steelers-Ravens of the season. And of course, with someone as unique as George Pickens on the squad, I’m curious to see how much access the Steelers give HBO to their young receiver.
RB: I’ve recently become a huge fan of Russell Wilson’s pregame interviews. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen someone so clearly “locked in” in my life. It’s always a fast-paced string of football platitudes delivered like a Madden career mode voice actor who left the oven on at home.
“Calm as can be. Ready to go. Neutral, man. Ready to go win it. Let’s go get it.” (Abruptly leaves).
Russell Wilson isn’t fazed by facing the Ravens today
Wilson always brilliantly toes the line between endearing authenticity and mindless coach speak — it never fails to crack me up. And it also helps that he’s a legitimately good dude as well.
Wilson is the quarterback of the current first-place AFC North team, and he hasn’t exactly been media shy throughout his career — you bet he’s going to be featured a lot on Hard Knocks. Personally, I can’t wait to see more of late-career renaissance Russ: his work with the team, his work with the community, and of course, those instant-classic sound bites:
Truthfully though, I’m hoping the star of the show is a player absolutely no one expects — maybe, say, Matt Sokol was a genius comedian this whole time and we just won’t know until Hard Knocks airs.
Join in on Steelers R&R by sharing your takes on this week’s topics. Has Mike Tomlin been the NFL’s best coach this year? Can the Steelers improve their red zone efficiency? Are you looking forward to Hard Knocks? Let us know in the comments! Feel free to pitch future questions in the comment section or on Twitter/X: tag @_Ryland_B or @RyanParishMedia.
Photo by Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
A look at the greatest defensive efforts after ten games
The 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers defense is on pace to be among the franchise’s greats. Through ten games, the team currently has the NFL’s second-best scoring defense, allowing 162 total points, good for 16.2 points per game. That point total is the best in close to 20 years. Only 14 Pittsburgh defenses in the Super Bowl era have been better after ten games. Let’s look at the greatest defensive starts of the last 52 years.
#16: 2011 – 179 points allowed in first ten games
Cameron Heyward’s career in Pittsburgh started with a very stingy defense. This team had the NFL’s best defense, allowing 14.2 points per game. It also allowed the fewest passing yards and total yards that season. In their first ten games, they held eight opponents to 20 points or less. After that, they were even better, allowing more than nine points only once. This season ended when Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos delivered a heartbreaking overtime loss in the playoffs.
#15: 2010 – 165 points allowed in first ten games
This team led the NFL in points allowed with 14.5 per game. This defense also led the league in rushing yards allowed, rushing yards per attempt, and rushing touchdowns allowed. In its first five games, the defense never allowed more than 17 points. In the final seven games, they only gave up more than 16 points once. This team won the AFC North and secured a first-round bye in the playoffs, but the Green Bay Packers defeated Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XLV.
#14: 2024 – 162 points allowed
TBD
#13: 2005 – 161 points allowed
The Super Bowl XL champions had the season’s third-best scoring defense, allowing 16.1 points per game. They were a top-ten unit against the run but were Pittsburgh’s only championship team to give up more than 3,000 passing yards in a season. Although this defense gave up a combined 62 points in games 11 and 12, with the season on the line, it rebounded by allowing only 12 total points in games 13-15. In the playoffs, they never allowed more than 18.
#12: 2004 – 161 points allowed
Ben Roethlisberger thrived during his rookie season thanks to a dominant defense, which led the NFL with 15.7 points allowed per game. The defense was also first in total yards allowed, rushing yards allowed, and passing touchdowns allowed. This time won the division crown and earned the number one seed in the AFC, but lost to the New England Patriots in the conference championship 41-27.
#11: 1996 – 160 points allowed
The last season for block-numbered jerseys was a defensive powerhouse. This team was ranked fourth overall, allowing an average of 16.1 points per game. They were also second in total yards allowed, second in turnovers, third against the run, and fifth against the pass. This season ended with a division crown, but an exit in the divisional round following a 28-3 loss to the New England Patriots.
#10: 1979 – 157 points allowed
Surprisingly, the Super Bowl XIV champions have the worst defense on this list. They finished the season averaging 16.4 points allowed per game, good for fifth-best in the NFL. But they were overshadowed by the league’s best offense. In four of their first ten games, the defense held their opponents to a touchdown or less.
#9: 2008 – 150 points allowed
The Super Bowl XLIII champs are the modern definition of legendary. The defense led the league in nearly every defensive category, including total yards allowed, passing yards allowed, first downs allowed, yards per play, and yards per pass. Their 13.9 points allowed per game was also a league-best. The defense was even more effective after their tenth game, allowing 13 or fewer points in five of their final six regular-season contests.
#8: 1974 – 149 points allowed
The Super Bowl IX champions had the league’s second-best defense that season, allowing 13.5 points per game. They led the NFL in total yards allowed, passing yards allowed, and turnovers. This team got even stingier after Week 10 and allowed only 11 points per game in the playoffs, including only six in the Super Bowl.
#7: 2007 – 145 points allowed
Mike Tomlin’s first season as head coach was led by its defense. They had the league’s second-best scoring defense, allowing 16.8 points per game. They also gave up the least total yards and the least amount of first downs. However, the cracks in the defense began to show in the last month of the season, where they gave up an average of 28.5 points in their final four games. Although this team won the AFC North, the season ended with a 31-29 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wild Card round.
#6: 1992 – 139 points allowed
Bill Cowher’s first season as head coach brought a new commitment to defense as well. Pittsburgh finished the season with the NFL’s second-best scoring defense, allowing only 14.1 points per game. They were a top-ten unit against the pass, but middle of the pack against the run. What made this defense stand out was its league-leading 43 turnovers. They finished the season with the number one seed but lost to the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round 24-3.
#5: 1978 – 139 points allowed
The Super Bowl XIII champions held ten opponents to ten points or less. They had the NFL’s stingiest scoring defense, averaging 12.2 points allowed per game. They also had the second-best rushing defense in the league. After Week 10, the defense got even stingier, giving up more than ten points only twice. The stat from this season that may be the most impressive is the defense’s average of three turnovers per game.
#4: 2000 – 119 points allowed
The short-lived Kent Graham era had a rocky start, starting 0-3. But after that, the defense became inspired, giving up a total of 22 points during a five-game winning streak. Unfortunately, they would later have a five-game stretch where they gave up an average of 27.6 points per game. Although this defense was ranked sixth overall by season’s end, averaging 15.9 points allowed per game, the team finished with a record of 9-7, missing the playoffs.
#3: 1976 – 119 points allowed
Some consider this defense Pittsburgh’s greatest ever. They finished the season as the league’s best, allowing only 9.86 points per game, the lowest in franchise history. They were ranked #1 not only in points allowed but also in total yards allowed, rushing yards allowed, rushing touchdowns allowed and first downs allowed. They completely shut out five teams that season. But in the AFC Championship game without Franco Harris or Rocky Bleier, they lost to the Oakland Raiders 24-7.
#2: 1975 – 114 points allowed
The Super Bowl X champions had the NFL’s 2nd best defense, allowing only 11.6 points per game, the stingiest of Pittsburgh’s Lombardi winners. They were the eighth-best in the league against the run and fourth-best against the pass. More importantly, they gave up the fewest passing touchdowns all year, a meager nine. This team only gave up more than 17 points twice all season.
#1: 2001 – 97 points allowed
This team finished the season with the third-best defense in the league, averaging 13.3 points allowed per game. They were #1 against the run and #4 against the pass. They gave up more than 17 points in only four games, and only twice in the first ten games. This team entered the playoffs with the #1 seed but ultimately lost to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game.
Ward is one of the best wide receivers in Steelers history and possibly the greatest blocking receiver to ever do it. He’s logged plenty of accolades: four Pro Bowls, two Super Bowls, and the MVP award from Super Bowl XL. He’s Pittsburgh’s all-time leading receiver with 12,083 receiving yards and 85 receiving touchdowns.
Harrison also had a dominant career: five Pro Bowls, two All-Pros, two Super Bowls, and a Defensive Player of the Year award in 2008. His 80.5 career sacks are the third-most in Steelers history, and he’s had plenty of iconic on-field moments, the most special being his 100-yard pick six in Super Bowl XLIII.
However, Ward and Harrison will have some tough competition, with the 25 semifinalists including names such as Eli Manning, Antonio Gates, Luke Kuechly, Steve Smith Sr., Adam Vinatieri, Darren Woodson, Vince Wilfork, and other legendary NFL players.
The 25 semifinalists will be narrowed down to 15 finalists in December, along with three names from the seniors class, one coach, and one contributor. Of those 20, four to eight will make the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.
Steelers executive Art Rooney Jr. is also still a Hall of Fame candidate. He was named a semifinalist in the contributor class back in October.
