The Steelers’ played nine games before their first AFC North game. Tonight, they play their second division game in four days.
The weather in Cleveland could be a significant factor and place an even higher premium on the run game when the Steelers and Browns meet. Accuweather is predicting a game-time temperature of 38 degrees with the wind chill making it feel like 22. Winds will be gusting to at least 25 miles per hour and because the game is being played on the shores of Lake Erie, the 70 percent chance of precipitation could be rain, snow, or sleet…or all three.
Bad weather or not, coach Mike Tomlin says the Browns’ defense is tough.
Tomlin says the Steelers’ young offensive line will be up against one of the best defensive fronts in football, led by Myles Garrett.
The Steelers have not gotten much from their two trade deadline acquisitions, wide receiver Mike Williams and linebacker Preston Smith. But Tomlin says they are getting acclimated to the Steelers and they are making an impact…and they will be needed tonight.
Cornerback Corey Trice will not be activated from injured reserve for tonight’s game. He’s returning from a hamstring injury. Tight end MyCole Pruitt is expected to suit up after coming back from a knee injury. Linebacker Alex Highsmith is out. The only eligible Browns player listed as out for tonight is defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr., with a knee injury.
Kickoff tonight is at 8:15. The pregame begins on WDAD at 6:15.
Kicker Chris Boswell is the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for the second time this season after his second 6-for-6 performance on field goals, in Sunday’s win over Baltimore. Boswell was also Special Teams Player of the Month for September and again in October. Boswell is 29-of-30 on field goal attempts this season, with his only miss a 62-yarder in week three. He has nine field goals of 50 or more yards (the NFL season record is 11), and he is the first player in the NFL this season to top 100 points.
Steelers all-timers Hines Ward and James Harrison are among 25 semifinalists for the NFL Hall of Fame. The cutdown from 50 candidates to 25 was announced yesterday. The list will be pared to fifteen finalists, with the 2025 Hall of Fame class announced during Super Bowl festivities in February.
