CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns entered the season with plenty of questions, but seven games later, they find themselves in first place in the AFC North. Sunday's trip to Pittsburgh gives them a chance to strengthen that position and put some distance between themselves and one of their biggest division rivals.
Cleveland and Pittsburgh both enter the matchup at 5-2, with the Browns holding the tiebreaker thanks to their 27-24 victory over the Steelers on October 1. Another win would improve Cleveland to 6-2, drop Pittsburgh to 5-3, and give the Browns a season sweep that could prove extremely valuable in the division race.
The Browns have put themselves in this position by finding ways to win close games. Their first victory over Pittsburgh required a 56-yard field goal from Andre Szmyt with 10 seconds remaining, while their recent wins over Baltimore and Tennessee were decided by a combined six points.
There is something encouraging about a team that consistently finds ways to win, but Cleveland has also made things more difficult than necessary. Against Tennessee last Sunday, the Browns fell behind 14-0 before rallying for a 27-24 victory. A similar start in Pittsburgh could leave them chasing the game against a defense that has been difficult to score against. The Browns need to get their offense going early, as they did in the second quarter of their first meeting with Pittsburgh.
The Browns' defense has been the foundation of their success, with Jared Verse, Maliek Collins, and Mason Graham providing strength along the defensive front. Cleveland will need that unit to continue setting the tone against a Steelers team that has won three consecutive games since losing to the Browns.
Pittsburgh has also shown it can win without putting up big offensive numbers. The Steelers beat New Orleans 16-10 last Sunday in Paris, relying on their defense to protect a narrow lead. Sunday's matchup returns them to Acrisure Stadium, where they have won all three of their home games this season.
Offensively, the Browns need more consistency from Deshaun Watson and the passing game. Rookie receiver KC Concepcion is coming off an eight-catch, 129-yard performance against Tennessee, giving Cleveland another weapon capable of making plays downfield. The Browns cannot rely exclusively on their defense to keep them in games, particularly against a Pittsburgh team that can create pressure and force mistakes.
The larger picture makes Sunday's matchup especially important. Cincinnati looms just behind Cleveland and Pittsburgh at 4-2, while Baltimore remains in the race at 4-3. Which means the AFC North is still wide open.
A victory Sunday would give Cleveland a 3-0 record in the AFC North and the head-to-head tiebreaker over Pittsburgh for the season. It would also move the Browns a full game ahead of the Steelers in the standings, making Cleveland the team its division rivals will be trying to catch as the season moves into November.
Cleveland has earned its place at the top through seven games. Now it has an opportunity to make that position more difficult for its rivals to challenge.
