Footballica: Much to Chew On In This Clash of AFC Rivals

By Jason Catania

Cleveland Browns (4-8) at Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3)

Stadium: Heinz Field

Date: Thursday, December 8

Time: 8:20 PM EST

Browns Player to Watch: LB D’Qwell Jackson

There’s not much to see when it comes to Cleveland’s offense, which ranks third-worst in football with just 290.7 total yards per game and fifth-worst at 14.6 points per. Instead, keep an eye on Jackson, the Browns’ middle linebacker who makes plays all over the field. When he’s not hunting down the man with the ball – he has at least eight tackles in all but one game and his 112 combined stops are second-most in the NFL – the 28-year-old Jackson is finding loose ones (2 fumble recoveries), getting after the quarterback (2.5 sacks) and even picking him off (1 interception). If Jackson can create a turnover or notch a sack in a key spot, it could be a momentum-changer.

Steelers Player to Watch: QB Ben Roethlisberger

Big Ben is having another great season with 3,246 yards and a 19:10 TD:INT ratio. But he’s going to have to be on his game against a surprisingly stout Browns’ pass defense that tops the NFL at just 173.3 passing yards allowed per game. Cleveland is much more forgiving against the run, surrendering 151.2 yards on average (second-worst), but Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall is having a lackluster season (634 yards and 3.8 yards per carry) and Pittsburgh’s run game as a whole is middle-of-the-pack. That leaves much of the burden on Roethlisberger. He’ll need to avoid the rush from Jackson and Co. – Roethlisberger has been sacked 34 times, most in the league – and come up with some big passes to speedy wideouts Mike Wallace (977 yards, 8 TDs) and Antonio Brown (50 catches for 774 yards). If the aerial attack can stake the Steelers to an early lead, they should be able to exploit the Browns’ run defense.

Browns X Factor: WR/KR Josh Cribbs

In a game that could wind up being a low-scoring pitchers’ duel, Cribbs is Cleveland’s best shot at a home run. He’s becoming more of a factor in the passing game with career-highs in receptions (29), yards (358) and TDs (4), but it’s his ability to break a long return for a score or at least give the Browns good field position on a few possessions that could make up for their often lackluster offense. Although the 28-year-old has four runbacks over 40 yards this season, he’s yet to run one all the way back despite having done so 10 times in his career. Think he’s itching to take it to the house, on a big stage, in front of a national audience especially against a tough opponent like Pittsburgh?

Steelers X Factor: Defense

We’ve already established that the Browns’ offense isn’t the most explosive group (you got that, right?), so imagine the carnage that you may be witness to when that bunch tries to move the ball against Pittsburgh’s perennial powerhouse of a defense. Long an elite unit, the Steelers’ D is again among the best in football, allowing only 273.8 total yards per game (best) and 16.2 points per (fourth-best). As tough a challenge as Roethlisberger is going to face going up against football’s top pass defense, Browns QB Colt McCoy is going to be staring down the barrel of a gun painted Steelers gold-and-black. If the second-year quarterback surpasses the 176.8 passing yards that Pittsburgh allows on average, it will be a minor miracle.

Why This Game Is A Must Watch With Friends:

This AFC North matchup might look like a mismatch, but don’t think for a second that the Browns don’t want to spoil the rival Steelers’ chance to win the division and earn a first-round bye in the postseason. This one could get ugly. And in football, that’s a beautiful thing.

This post is sponsored by Buffalo Wild Wings. You can find the company’s web site HERE and find them on Facebook and Twitter.