The Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the team's biggest games of the 2026 season on Sunday in Week 8. The Cleveland Browns are coming to Pittsburgh, and both teams are 5-2 going into this matchup. The teams are at the top of the AFC North, but the Browns have a leg up on the Steelers as Cleveland won the first matchup between the two teams back in Week 4. No one really expected the Browns to be as good as they have been through the first seven weeks of the season, and no one really expected for the AFC North standings to look the way they currently do.
Melina Myers / Imagn Images
Cleveland Browns’ Jared Verse stretches at EverBank Stadium ahead of a 2026 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Things got a little bit chippy during the first matchup between these two teams, and it was a good game as the Steelers came back to tie the game at the end of the fourth quarter, but the Browns were able to march the ball down the field and kick the game-winning field goal. It was a tough loss for the Steelers, and the stakes in that game were roughly the same. The winner was going to take the lead in the AFC North, and that is what will happen this week. Either Cleveland will grow its lead within the division, or Pittsburgh will jump the Browns in the standings.
This rivalry has always been a large one, and Jared Verse made his debut in the Steelers-Browns saga back on October 1. After the game, he had some choice words for the offensive line of the Steelers. He said the group was talking a lot and called the unit dirty, which is going to be talked about going into this matchup. The offensive line for Pittsburgh likely wants to get some revenge on Verse for some of his comments. Cam Heyward also went on The Rich Eisen Show on Tuesday to address Verse's comments from the last time the two teams played one another.
"Double-teaming, sliding, chipping, are those not allowed in our game?" Heyward asked. "Yeah, I got the bruises to prove it. But we don't whine about it, baby. It's part of the game. And so, I'm looking forward to this game. It's gonna be a fun game. Both teams are in position to do a lot of work in this division, as they say. The AFC North is on fire and I'm glad I'm in the kitchen because I like it that way. But those are words that were said and they will be addressed."
Heyward made it seem like the entire team in Pittsburgh is well aware of these comments that were made by Verse after the last game, and the Steelers are out for revenge. The offensive line definitely wants the chance to put Verse in his place, and they will have some opportunities to do so.
Scott Galvin / Imagn Images
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) rushes for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second half at Huntington Bank Field.
Verse is a younger player, but he has already had a ton of success in the league. He was a first-round pick back in 2024 that was selected by the Los Angeles Rams. He was a Pro Bowler in each of his two seasons with the Rams, but he was sent to Cleveland in the Myles Garrett trade. He has had a good career so far, but now he is tasked with filling some pretty large shoes.
Steelers Must Win Rematch Versus Browns
The Steelers have a tough schedule throughout the remainder of the 2026 season as the team has two games left against the Baltimore Ravens, a game against the Cincinnati Bengals, plus matchups with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, and Carolina Panthers. The Steelers have to take advantage of an in-division matchup like this in order to take the lead in the AFC North. This game could also be important in the Wild Card race near the end of the year.
What do you think about these comments from Heyward? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
#SteelerNation