It’s Time To See That $230 Million Arm
Photo Credit: Sam Greene via USA TODAY Sports
After coming off a 21-point blowout win against last year’s AFC North Champion Cincinnati Bengals, the Cleveland Browns have a chance to start the 2023 season 2-0, a feat they last accomplished during Bill Clinton’s first year in office. To do so, the team must travel to the Steel City and face the rival Pittsburgh Steelers under the bright lights of Monday Night Football.
You already know the numbers. Cleveland is a brutal 2-20 over the past 20 years in Pittsburgh. But although history is on the Steelers’ side, performance, thus far, isn’t. The Kenny Pickett-led offense was beyond miserable, committing two brutal interceptions while stumbling to just one touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers. The defense wasn’t much better, allowing the Niners to blow them out, scoring 30 points in Pittsburgh’s home building.
With such a huge opportunity in front of them, here are three keys to Cleveland success on Monday night.
Watson Must Earn His Keep
Despite some late game flashes, Deshaun Watson defined sub-par in Week 1. While somehow still better than Joe Burrow, Watson’s season-opening performance is not the type that will carry this team where it wants to go. The difficult weather situation and the reality of Week 1 rust have to be accounted for, but, barring a hurricane in Pittsburgh on Monday, it’s time for Watson to finally take a big step in the right direction. If the former league leader can show that he is actually returning to form, the Browns stock will be rising faster than Patrick Peterson’s is falling.
That may have felt like a cheap shot, but a Pittsburgh secondary touted as smart and stable appeared old and sillly last Sunday. After Peterson predicted an interception against Brock Purdy on his podcast, Brandon Aiyuk embarrassed the future Hall of Famer all over the field.
Amari Cooper looked primed to excel in primetime, but a groin injury during Saturdays practice puts him as questionable heading into Monday’s game. Cooper’s potential absence could force Watson to develop more of a connection with other receivers. Donovan Peoples-Jones and rookie Cedric Tillman would certainly receive more targets, but the growing chemistry between the QB and young Elijah Moore might finally unlock Watson’s old potential. After what Watson accomplished in Houston with a very similarly built Will Fuller, Moore may be the ticket to Watson returning to form.
The Dawand Jones Show
It wasn’t all happiness Sunday, as O-line staple Jack Conklin had to be carted off the field due to a torn ACL and MCL. Now, earlier than anyone could have expected, fourth-round pick Dawand Jones has been named the starter at right tackle.
A rookie getting his first start is always a thrilling experience, but this week the youngster unfortunately draws the Browns’ grim reaper, T.J. Watt. Watt has recorded 40 solo tackles, 15 sacks, one fumble recovery, and one interception in the 10 games he has played against the Browns.
The team will surely help Jones in his debut by sending double teams Watt’s way now and again, but if Jones can use his monsterous frame and keep the All Pro relatively quiet, it could change the entire complexion of the game.
The preseason is the preseason, so take it with a grain of salt, but allowing zero sacks and just one quarterback hit through 148 pass snaps as a rookie in four games is absurd. Watt isn’t some second-string nobody, and you can expect at absolute minimum a quarterback hit or two and a sack, but keep an eye on Jones throughout the game. If he can prevent Watt from ruining the line of scrimmage, then Jones may not just shift this game but he might prove to be one of the biggest steals of the 2023 draft.
A Rising Browns Defense Vs. A Falling Steelers Offense
Jim Schwartz has already worked wonders on the Browns’ defense. The secondary put together a really good performance against a solid passing game in Week 1 while the front four controlled the trenches. This week the defensive line can take an even bigger step forward as the Steeler offense allows them an opportunity for domination.
Fantastic offseason signing Isaac Seumalo didn’t make much difference against the Niners as he and the lackluster line allowed San Francisco to run amok in the Steelers’ backfield all day. Pickett was seeing ghosts and not trusting his own eyes as he looked off open receivers all day long.
This is a Za’darius Smith game in the making. With the Steelers’ offense focused on Myles Garrett, if Smith can get to the quarterback early and keep him in the same struggling mindset it could be a really good day for Cleveland. With his No. 1 receiver, Diontae Johnson, out and his No. 2, George Pickens, still displaying separation problems, Kenny Pickett will have to rise above his circumstances to succeed against a much-improved defense. Right now that doesn’t seem likely.
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