The Pittsburgh Steelers won't have to worry about a few critical Cleveland Browns players when they meet up for their Week 11 game. Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is out for the remainder of the season with a shoulder injury. They also lost their star running back, Nick Chubb, who suffered a season-ending knee injury during the two teams' first matchup in Week 2. One player they will still have to contend with is Defensive Player of the Year candidate, Myles Garrett. Garrett recently told the media he is also getting ready for the Steelers.
USA Today
Steelers left tackle Dan Moore Jr. has been able to hold his own against Browns star Myles Garrett in their meetings over the past two years.
Steelers offensive lineman, Dan Moore Jr., also recently told the media that he is ready to go up against Garrett again. He knows that the defensive end is one of the best in the league, but Moore said he is a familiar foe with this being their sixth time meeting.
Moore has played well against Garrett in the prior matchups. The Steelers have won four of the last five games between the two bitter AFC North rivals. For his part, Garrett has four sacks, four tackles for a loss, and eight quarterback hits in those five games. When the two teams played during Week 2 of 2023, Moore looked solid against Garrett. He held him to just one tackle and did not allow any sacks. But Moore knows that Garrett won't be easy come Sunday.
Garrett also knows it won't be as easy as it is against some other teams. He told the media recently that the Steelers tend to try to "chip him" and will play him more physically than other teams. He said he knows exactly how to combat that, exactly what to throw at the Steelers, and it's not what you think.
"Shoot, we gotta get more physical with them, got to find a way. You know they're going to throw the kitchen sink at me, well I got to throw the fridge back," joked Garrett.
Garrett said he is on to the Steelers' plans and knows what to expect from the offense. They will send a tight end to follow him around and try to ensure that he never gets a one-on-one matchup.
Matt Freed / AP
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) celebrates a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans.
Garrett was asked about the Steelers' propensity to win games late in the fourth quarter as well. The reporter asked Garrett about those games and mentioned that while Pittsburgh has been outgained in every game this year, they are still 6-0 in one-score games (note their overall record is 6-3). Garrett said he is prepared for that late-game push and how to keep the score going in the Browns' favor.
"I think sometimes teams just let off the gas just a little bit later in the third quarter, fourth quarter, that's when they really turn it up."
Steelers' T.J. Watt And Myles Garrett Neck And Neck For DPOY
Another kind of competition is quietly going on between the Steelers and the Browns and that is the neck-and-neck race for AP Defensive Player of the Year between T.J. Watt and Garrett.
Abigail Dean / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers outside linebacker TJ Watt scoops up a loose ball in the fourth quarter during Week 2 in 2023 against the Cleveland Browns.
Currently, Watt and Garrett have similar stats despite playing slightly different positions. Garrett has played nine games this season with four forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 11 sacks (tied for lead with Danielle Hunter from the Minnesota Vikings), 28 combined tackles, and 20 quarterback hits. Watt has also played nine games this season and has one interception, two forced fumbles, 10.5 sacks, 30 combined tackles, and 20 quarterback hits. Watt even scored a touchdown this season off a fumble recovery.
For Steelers fans, it's frustrating that Watt is consistently disrespected by the media. The real test comes on the field and not from an imaginary matrix invented by Pro Football Focus. Watt has dealt with injuries that Garrett hasn't and has still consistently managed to have the best pass rush rate. On top of that, Watt has some extra intangibles. For example, when a big play is needed, Watt seems to find a way to get it done. When the game is on the line, you can count on him to make a big play or help make one.
There is no disputing Garrett's talents, he is an incredible defender, but so is Watt. Once again this weekend, we will get to watch the two best defensive players in the league play in the same game. May the best team win!
What do you think about the Steelers' ability to stop or at least slow down Garrett? Click to comment below!
#SteelerNation
