Uncommon Advantage For Steelers' TJ Watt Could Ruin Browns Rookie Dillion Gabriel In Week 6

The Pittsburgh Steelers got through five weeks of the 2025 regular season without facing off against an AFC North opponent. In Week 6, the Cleveland Browns will travel to Acrisure Stadium in a highly-anticipated matchup. While the two teams are on opposite ends of the standings, all of that can be thrown out the window due to the fierce rivalry that will be on display. In recent years, contests between the two organizations have been more talked about than normal because of the presences of both TJ Watt and Myles Garrett. The edge rushers are two of the best in the business.

The Browns sit at 1-4 while the Steelers will be well-rested and ready to go with a record of 3-1. If history has taught fans of either team anything, it's that anything can happen when the two squads face off. Back in 2024, Cleveland was 3-7 entering a Thursday Night Football game, but beat an 8-2 Pittsburgh group by a score of 24-19. It was one of Mike Tomlin and co's worst losses of the year.

Garrett was an absolute monster in the game with three sacks, three quarterback hits and another three tackles for loss. It was an All-Pro showing for the 2023 AP Defensive Player of the Year. Watt was relatively quiet, contributing just one tackle for loss. The two have a unique rivalry because they will never actually face off against one another, but each guy is trying to have the better performance each time the Steelers and Browns play.

Garrett typically moves all around the line of scrimmage and Pittsburgh's offensive line will have to be ready for just about everything, but it is Watt that has a unique opportunity to gain an advantage in Week 6. Cleveland is starting rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel, a third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft that was pretty consistent in his first ever outing in Week 5 against the Minnesota Vikings.

Gabriel threw for 190 yards and two touchdowns, but his team wasn't able to get the win. Now, after traveling back from London, the Browns will be tasked with playing in a hostile environment in the Steel City. What makes this a unique chance for Watt to wreak havoc is specifically because of which hand Gabriel throws the ball with. The lefty will not be able to see Watt coming off the edge, as the 2021 AP Defensive Player of the Year rarely gets to rush the opposing quarterback's blindside.

Jack Conklin consistently has his hands full with Watt when the two franchises play each season, but the right tackle for Cleveland will be feeling a little bit more pressure knowing that Watt could wreck the game at any moment without Gabriel evening knowing what was coming. Conklin returned from injury in Week 5 versus Minnesota, so he may not be completely up to par with where he should be.

Watt is a menace no matter who is playing quarterback, but when you add a rookie who is also left-handed, it could get ugly pretty quickly. The Steelers should look to shut down the run early and force Gabriel to throw the football. If Watt is racing in from the blindside, there could be multiple sacks and forced fumbles that end up coming as a result.

Steelers Need To Take Care Of Business Against The Browns

Pittsburgh is in a great position in the AFC North, but that is all that many fans can talk about after the Week 5 bye. Tomlin teams have had moments when they play down to competition. It will be a great test in Week 6 and not necessarily because Cleveland is a better team, but because it will be a good measurement to see if the 2025 Steelers are the real deal. Watt has a great opportunity to lead the way.

Do you think that the Steelers and Browns' Week 6 matchup will be closely contested? Let us know in the comments below!

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