The Cleveland Browns host the Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend at First Energy Stadium. The brown-and-orange are coming off a shell-shocking loss to the division leading Cincinnati Bengals. The black-and yellow (not gold) have won four of their last six games. Here is what it will take to beat the hated rival Steelers on Sunday.
Dawg Bone #1
Get Back to the Old Jason
Last week against the Bengals, Jason Campbell looked Brandon Weeden-esque. The veteran signal caller is a huge key to this game. Part of it may be offensive coordinator Norv Turner, but the other part of it may also be on Campbell on why he was “Captain Check down” last week. Campbell needs to rally the troops on offense, get his head focused, and put efficient drives together against the a Steelers team that is giving up 24.5 points per game. The “Jason Campbell” that beat the Baltimore Ravens needs to show up on Sunday. Opportunities will be there on Sunday.
Dawg Bone #2
Containment on Big Ben
Ben Roethlisberger is one of the best in the business at extending plays and avoiding pressure in the pocket. The Browns have been burned many times by Big Ben both with his legs and his arm in the past. Who could forget the 3rd-and-28 third down run by Roethlisberger in the late 2000’s? The Browns defense is good enough to contain Roethlisberger, but Horton must dial it up just like he did against Joe Flacco and the Ravens. Cleveland must prevent the big extended play in order to get this important victory. Get in there Barkevious Mingo!
Dawg Bone #3
Bring It! This is Steelers Week!
I have no doubt in my mind that coach Rob Chudzinski has instilled the importance of this game too his players. That same feeling you have when you hear the word “Pittsburgh”, Chudzinski has for them. First Energy Stadium will be loud and there will be a lot of emotions throughout the entire facility. Browns fans have no regards for the little yellow towels (many of them front running) that will be flopping in the wind. Cleveland players must bring the same intensity and emotion that these die-hard fans have. Do not let this team, with quite possibly the ugliest throwback uniforms in the history of the NFL, come in and walk away with a “W”. While the Browns are playing for their fifth win in eleven contests, this is game where records do not matter. This game has been marked on everyone’s internal calendars for many months now, find a way to win this game. What matters is pride and beating the team that has had their number for the past 13 years. Bring it and leave it all on the field.
Ryan Ruiz is the Cleveland Browns Beat Writer for The Inscriber: Digital Magazine. You can follow him on Facebook: Ryan (BrownsWriter) Ruiz and Twitter @ryanpruiz24. Ryan is also a Browns correspondent for The Sportsfix. Tune in every Friday at noon on www.thesportsfix.net. Have a question or comment for the “ASK Ryan” column on Fridays? Email Ryan at ryan.ruiz@theinscribermag.com
