SCOUTING THE BROWNS
Last meeting
Browns beat Steelers, 13-10, on Nov. 19, 2023 in Cleveland
Key matchup
Steelers QB Justin Fields vs. Browns front seven
Fields is the backup at his position but for the first time since Russell Wilson took over starting duties in Week 7, during the Steelers’ most recent game Fields took three snaps and had two carries for 17 yards. While that was happening Sunday, the Browns were getting torched by New Orleans’ backup quarterback (nee tight end) Taysom Hill, who had seven carries for 138 yards and three touchdowns.
Key injuries
The Steelers are without outside linebacker Alex Highsmith (ankle) for a second consecutive game. … According to the status report, the only players on the active roster unavailable to the Browns on Thursday are a pair of reserves in tight end Geoff Swaim (concussion) and tackle Jedrick Wills (knee).
Series record
Steelers lead 81-63-1.
Series notes
The Browns have a 41-29-1 edge in the series in games played in Cleveland, including 4-1-1 in the past six at what is now called Huntington Bank Field. … The Steelers had won 15 of the first 19 games between the teams in that stadium, which opened when the Browns returned from a three-year hiatus in 1999. … This is the third time in six seasons that Steelers-at-Browns is a Thursday night game. Cleveland won the Thursday games in 2019 and 2022. … This is the sixth Thursday game between the Steelers and Browns over the past 19 seasons. Cleveland won three of the previous five, including all three at home. … For each of the past five games in Cleveland, the Steelers have had a different starting quarterback: 2020 was Mason Rudolph, Ben Roethlisberger the following year, Mitch Trubisky in 2022, Kenny Pickett last year and now Wilson. The Browns will have a fourth starter for the game over the past four years: Baker Mayfield in 2021, Jacoby Brissett in 2022, Dorian Thompson-Robinson last year and Jameis Winston on Thursday.
Notable
The Steelers have lost four of their past five Thursday night games. They are 4-9 since 2012 on Thursday nights. … Seven of the Steelers’ past eight Thursday games have been in November or December. … This is the Steelers’ 20th Thursday game since Mike Tomlin became coach in 2007, most of any team in the NFL in that span. … The Steelers are 2-7 on the road under Tomlin when they play on three days’ rest. … The Steelers have the second-best scoring defense in the NFL, whereas Cleveland ranks second-to-last in scoring offense. Each team has played 10 games — the Steelers have allowed 162 points and the Browns have scored 162 points. … With a win, the Steelers (8-2) would assure themselves of finishing ahead of the Browns (2-8) in the standings for the 34th time over the past 35 seasons. The only time Cleveland had the upper hand in the AFC Central/North was last season, when it went 11-6 and the Steelers were 10-7.
Fantasy tip
Over the past four weeks — during which Winston has played three games — Winston has more passing yards per game (321.3) than any NFL QB. During that span, only five tight ends have averaged more receptions than Cleveland’s David Njoku (6.3).