The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to host the Cleveland Browns on Sunday in Week 8. Both teams come into the matchup with a record of 5-2, and each team is near the top of the AFC North. The Browns currently have a leg up on the Steelers as Cleveland won the first matchup between the two teams during the 2026 season, but the Steelers can take the lead in the division with a win at home. The Browns have not won a game in Pittsburgh during the regular season since 2003, and the Steelers are going to try to keep that streak alive on Sunday.
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) rushes for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second half at Huntington Bank Field.
Things are always chippy between these two teams, and that is especially the case whenever the Browns decide they want to show signs of life. Usually the franchise is a doormat for the rest of the NFL, but Cleveland has surpassed expectations in 2026. The Browns kind of controlled the entire game against Pittsburgh back in Week 4, but the Steelers came back to tie the game at the end. The Browns were then able to march the ball down the field and kick a game-winning field goal with little time left on the clock.
After that first game between the two teams, Jared Verse had a lot to say about the Steelers. He called the team dirty and mentioned that he had no respect for Pittsburgh. Cam Heyward addressed those comments recently, saying Verse was just whining. Verse spoke to the media on Thursday and had a rebuttal for Heyward.
"I’m not worried about Cam, I’m not worried about their OL, I’m not worried about nobody they got on their team," Verse said. "We out there to go dominate. 'Bout to make Pittsburgh ours on Sunday."
Verse has been nothing but confident since arriving in Cleveland after being traded by the Los Angeles Rams for a better player. He has been very outspoken, and that was evident from the way he talked about the Steelers after the last game between these two teams. It is very rare for a player to predict a win during the week, but that is basically what he did with this comment while disrespecting a lot of players in Pittsburgh.
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Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) looks to pass the ball under pressure from Cleveland Browns defensive end Jared Verse (8) during the first quarter at Huntington Bank Field.
Verse has played fine since coming over to the Browns. He has generated pressures and hurries, but he has just 10 solo tackles on the season to go along with a surprising zero sacks. Based on his comments, one might think he has already reached double-digit sacks on the year. That couldn't be further from the truth. The offensive line for Pittsburgh should be extra motivated to keep Verse in check throughout the game on Sunday, which will hopefully help the unit keep its foot on the gas pedal.
Steelers' Offense Can't Go Dormant In Week 8
The offense for the Steelers has looked fine over the last few weeks, and it did at times against Cleveland during the first game between these two. However, the offense went fairly dormant during the middle two quarters of the game as the group only put three points on the board. The offense came alive in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 24, but that wasn't enough to get the win. The offense needs to be productive throughout the entire game on Sunday, while the defense has to do a better job when it comes to slowing down Deshaun Watson.
The Steelers and the Browns have split the season series over the last several years, and that is what would happen if Pittsburgh can win on Sunday. It is a big game for both sides, and the Steelers have to win.
What do you think about these crazy comments from Jared Verse? What are your predictions for Sunday? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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