Cleveland’s “Super Bowl” in Pittsburgh

It’s David vs Goliath. The Worst vs the Best. The NFL Team Pretenders vs the Super Bowl contenders.

It’s Cleveland vs Pittsburgh.

The Steelers don’t have much to play for. They officially have clinched a first round bye, and while they can still lock up home field advantage, its highly unlikely. They would need a heavily favored Patriots loss to the New York Jets and a win against the Browns, both games kick off at 1pm.

Cleveland on the other hand is trying to avoid the perfect 0-16 season achieved only once before by the ‘07 lions. The Browns have already clinched the first draft pick of next years NFL Draft (again) and are now playing just to avoid embarrassment. So can Cleveland win in Pittsburgh this Sunday and shock the world? Well it is the NFL and anything can happen, however it would need a miracle for the Browns to win, what is essentially, their Super Bowl. If teams like New York, Indianapolis, and Denver are the equivalent of a dumpster fire this season, then Cleveland is a city dump ablaze. Their brightest star is first round draft pick Myles Garrett, and you can’t expect a single rookie to dominate one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. However, luckily for him and Cleveland’s defense they won’t have to deal with Antonio Brown and maybe some more of the Steelers starters. Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh’s Head Coach, is still on the fence about playing his starters Sunday, so the likes of Big Ben and Levon Bell playing in this game is still up in the air. You could probably expect them to start the first half, then sit the second, unless the game is close at the start of the third, and the Patriots game is the same.

So what would Cleveland have to do to win?

Well their hopes may lie in the hands of, wait for it, Tom Brady. If the Patriots just dominate the Jets from the beginning of the game, then the chances of the Steelers sitting their starters earlier in the game is more likely, giving Cleveland an easier opponent but by no means an easy one. Last year the Browns lost in overtime to Pittsburg during there final game of the season when Laundry Jones was put in over Ben Roethlisberger. The Browns forced the game into overtime and watched the Steelers throw a game winning touchdown. With an improved defense however, Cleveland’s starters may be able to beat the Steelers second string and it all comes down to turnovers. If Cleveland can force at least a few, then they will win this game if Pittsburgh sits it starters.

It’s time Cleveland

Do it for Joe,

Do it for your fans,

Do it for Honor.

May God be with you.

Written by Connor Hoehn