Browns Target Steelers In Division Showdown

The Cleveland Browns travel to Pittsburgh on Sunday carrying a 5-2 record and a chance to claim sole possession of the AFC North lead. The team is tied with the Steelers for first place in the division. A victory in this matchup would mark Cleveland's first season sweep of Pittsburgh since 1988.

First-year head coach Todd Monken has guided the franchise to five winning fourth-quarter drives this season. The team's recent success stands in sharp contrast to its performance in the two previous seasons, when it finished with a combined record of 8-26. Monken, who served as the offensive coordinator in Cleveland in 2019 and for the Baltimore Ravens from 2023 to 2025, has focused on changing the team's culture and challenging long-held negative perceptions of the franchise.

Monken made the decision to name Deshaun Watson the starting quarterback. Watson arrived in Cleveland in 2022 amid questions regarding his injury history, inconsistent play, and legal issues. The move drew scrutiny from fans and media. According to Ideastream Public Media sports commentator Terry Pluto, Watson's performance against Tennessee last week was the best he has looked since his shoulder surgery in 2023.

Pluto noted that Monken rejected the common sentiment that the Browns are destined to fail. "Monken said, 'We ain't taking that. These Browns are different,'" Pluto said. The coach's approach has been to treat the team as "under construction" rather than a "work in progress," a phrase Monken dislikes. Pluto observed that the team has begun to remove some of the metaphorical construction signs.

Kicker Andre Szmyt has played a crucial role in recent close victories. He has kicked three game-winning field goals this season. Pluto identified Szmyt as an unsung hero, noting that in previous years, a missed big kick in a close game would have been expected. "You know what would happen when the Browns is the Browns?" Pluto asked. "They would be playing close, and the guy would miss the big kick."

The Browns' offense has received a boost from young talent. General manager Andrew Berry has had more draft picks to work with after giving up three first-round selections and other picks in the trade for Watson. This has allowed the team to add players like receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston, both rookies who have impressed Pluto. The offensive line remains an area Monken is continuing to build.

Pluto advised fans to enjoy the current moment rather than dwelling on past failures. "When you're 8-26 (the past two seasons), you find every imaginable way to lose games," Pluto said. "When you finally get something good, don't dwell on all the bad things that could happen. Just enjoy it."

The upcoming game against the Steelers is viewed as a test of the team's growing confidence. Pluto described the matchup as "gigantic." "If they lose it's also not the end of the world, but I just think it would be huge .. for their growing confidence," Pluto said. The team has already beaten Baltimore once and has another game against them later in the schedule.

Cleveland's defense has been responsible for some of its recent victories, while the young offensive talent has started to make an impact. The team aims to prove it can sustain its success against division rivals. A win in Pittsburgh would solidify its position in the AFC North and provide a confidence boost heading into the rest of the season.