Thursday Night In Cleveland

The Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers meet tonight with identical 2 and 1 records, with the winner taking an early lead in the AFC North. On paper, Pittsburgh has plenty working in its favour, particularly after Aaron Rodgers delivered one of his better performances of the young season last week.

Still, there are two reasons to believe Cleveland can pull off the upset.

Watson does not need to be spectacular

The easiest way to dismiss Cleveland tonight is to point at Deshaun Watson and suggest the Browns cannot win unless their quarterback plays at an elite level.

That has not been the formula during Cleveland’s two game winning streak.

Watson was good enough against Tampa Bay, completing 24 of 30 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns in the Browns’ 23 to 19 victory. Against Carolina, his numbers were far less impressive, but the Browns still found a way to win. Watson completed 16 of 30 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns, including the late scoring pass that put Cleveland ahead.

The point is not that Watson has suddenly returned to his best form. The point is that he has made enough plays when Cleveland has needed them.

That could be enough again tonight.

Cleveland’s defense should make this uncomfortable

The Browns have quietly built their 2 and 1 record around their defense. Cleveland held Tampa Bay to 19 points and Carolina to 18, despite the Panthers entering their matchup after scoring 34 points against Atlanta.

That creates an interesting matchup against Rodgers.

Rodgers looked excellent against Cincinnati last week, while Pittsburgh’s offensive line also appeared considerably better. Better protection allowed the Steelers to establish their running game and gave Rodgers the time necessary to make the throws that made Pittsburgh’s offense far more dangerous.

Cleveland will need to disrupt that rhythm.

There is also an opportunity for the Browns in the Pittsburgh secondary. Joey Porter Jr. has been ruled out again, while Jalen Ramsey is dealing with a wrist injury and remains questionable. Porter was subsequently traded to Dallas on Thursday, meaning Pittsburgh enters this game without one of its established cornerbacks.

That could give Watson opportunities to attack downfield, particularly if Cleveland can establish enough of a running game to prevent Pittsburgh from simply loading up against the pass.

This feels like a classic AFC North game. Physical, uncomfortable and potentially decided by a handful of plays.

The Steelers have the quarterback coming off the better performance. Cleveland has the home field, a defense that has already demonstrated an ability to keep games close and a quarterback who has been good enough in both victories.

The Cover is taking the Browns to cover the spread and win by a field goal.