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Well, we’ve reached the point in the season that we knew was going to come; Ben Roethlisberger’s final game at Heinz Field. This event comes in the form of a monumental contest as the Pittsburgh Steelers square off against division-rival Cleveland Browns. Looking at the Steelers’ playoff picture, the math is simple for this game; win to survive. A loss for either team would end any postseason hopes, where a win would propel them forward. These stakes seem only fitting for Roethlisberger’s Heinz Field curtain call.
Let’s take a look at some things we can look forward to on Monday night.
Offense: When these teams met earlier in the season on Halloween, Diontae Johnson and Najee Harris were heavily involved in the offensive attack. I’m looking for the Steelers to copy that same gameplan. Back in Week 8, Johnson tallied 6 catches for 98 yards. Harris meanwhile had 120 all-purpose yards and a touchdown. The Steelers’ offense is going to need to establish methodical, consistent gains to slow down the game and keep control of possession. With that being said however, protecting Roethlisberger is key. So in addition to getting the ball into Johnson’s and Harris’ hands, Dan Moore Jr. is going to have to shut down Myles Garrett… again. For a rookie, Moore Jr. did well when these teams last met, as he held Garrett to only 4 tackles and a single sack. Garrett wants to play spoiler to Roethlisberger’s party, so look for him to get after Moore Jr. early and often. But I expect the Steelers to account for this and give Moore Jr. help on the outside to keep Roethlisberger upright. If there is any game the offensive line has to come prepared, this is one of those games.
Defense: The Browns’ offensive scheme is a rather simple one- run the ball. Their offense flows through Nick Chubb who is ranked third in the NFL with over 1,100 rushing yards so far this season. Since they last met, the Steelers’ rush defense has been atrocious, as they’ve allowed over 100 yards rushing in 6 of their last 7 games that followed. However, they seem to keep Chubb at bay. In their 6 games against each other, the Steelers’ defense has only allowed 405 yards to Chubb on 94 carries. That is an average of about 4.3 yards per carry, compared to Chubb’s season average of 5.5 yards per carry. Therefore, the matchup I’m watching on defense is the Steelers’ front 7 versus Chubb and the Brown’s rushing attack. With Joe Schobert and possibly Devin Bush missing this week due to the COVID-19 protocol, it’ll take the entire Steelers’ defensive front to contain Chubb. We may continue to also see Minkah Fitzpatrick coming up from his deep safety position to aid in the effort.
Roethlisberger’s final game at Heinz Field. In prime time. On Monday night when the Steelers have one of the best records in all of football. Everything is just adding up to a Steelers win and who am I to bet against Roethlisberger and the Steelers. Prediction, 24-13, Steelers. Let’s send Roethlisberger out in style.
Aside from this being the last home game for Roethlisberger, there is another mile marker that could be met on Monday. Harris is nearing the most rushing yards by a rookie in Steelers’ history. He only needs 72 yards to surpass Franco Harris’ 1,055 rushing yards back in 1972. (Najee) Harris already cleared Le’Veon Bell’s most total yards by a rookie mark in December and he could pocket another Steelers record this week. Aside from the Roethlisberger send-off, Steeler Nation could also see a historic point in Steelers’ rushing history.
What are you watching for on Monday night? What do you think the final outcome will be? Let us know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
Let’s take a look at some things we can look forward to on Monday night.
MATCHUPS AT A GLANCE
Offense: When these teams met earlier in the season on Halloween, Diontae Johnson and Najee Harris were heavily involved in the offensive attack. I’m looking for the Steelers to copy that same gameplan. Back in Week 8, Johnson tallied 6 catches for 98 yards. Harris meanwhile had 120 all-purpose yards and a touchdown. The Steelers’ offense is going to need to establish methodical, consistent gains to slow down the game and keep control of possession. With that being said however, protecting Roethlisberger is key. So in addition to getting the ball into Johnson’s and Harris’ hands, Dan Moore Jr. is going to have to shut down Myles Garrett… again. For a rookie, Moore Jr. did well when these teams last met, as he held Garrett to only 4 tackles and a single sack. Garrett wants to play spoiler to Roethlisberger’s party, so look for him to get after Moore Jr. early and often. But I expect the Steelers to account for this and give Moore Jr. help on the outside to keep Roethlisberger upright. If there is any game the offensive line has to come prepared, this is one of those games.
Defense: The Browns’ offensive scheme is a rather simple one- run the ball. Their offense flows through Nick Chubb who is ranked third in the NFL with over 1,100 rushing yards so far this season. Since they last met, the Steelers’ rush defense has been atrocious, as they’ve allowed over 100 yards rushing in 6 of their last 7 games that followed. However, they seem to keep Chubb at bay. In their 6 games against each other, the Steelers’ defense has only allowed 405 yards to Chubb on 94 carries. That is an average of about 4.3 yards per carry, compared to Chubb’s season average of 5.5 yards per carry. Therefore, the matchup I’m watching on defense is the Steelers’ front 7 versus Chubb and the Brown’s rushing attack. With Joe Schobert and possibly Devin Bush missing this week due to the COVID-19 protocol, it’ll take the entire Steelers’ defensive front to contain Chubb. We may continue to also see Minkah Fitzpatrick coming up from his deep safety position to aid in the effort.
PREDICTION
Roethlisberger’s final game at Heinz Field. In prime time. On Monday night when the Steelers have one of the best records in all of football. Everything is just adding up to a Steelers win and who am I to bet against Roethlisberger and the Steelers. Prediction, 24-13, Steelers. Let’s send Roethlisberger out in style.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Aside from this being the last home game for Roethlisberger, there is another mile marker that could be met on Monday. Harris is nearing the most rushing yards by a rookie in Steelers’ history. He only needs 72 yards to surpass Franco Harris’ 1,055 rushing yards back in 1972. (Najee) Harris already cleared Le’Veon Bell’s most total yards by a rookie mark in December and he could pocket another Steelers record this week. Aside from the Roethlisberger send-off, Steeler Nation could also see a historic point in Steelers’ rushing history.
What are you watching for on Monday night? What do you think the final outcome will be? Let us know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
