The Pittsburgh Steelers are playing in one of the most highly-anticipated games of the Week 8 slate in the NFL as the team is hosting the Cleveland Browns. Before the regular season began, there probably was not much thought being given to this game due to the fact that many fans expected the Browns to have another poor season. That hasn't been the case in 2026 as Cleveland will walk into Acrisure Stadium with a record of 5-2 and the lead in the AFC North. The winner of this game will leave the stadium with the division lead, and the game is huge for Pittsburgh as its bye week is in Week 9.
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) reacts with Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) after the game at Huntington Bank Field.
The Steelers lost the first matchup of the season against Cleveland back in Week 4. That loss continued Pittsburgh's streak of struggling in games played on Thursday Night Football, and struggling in games played in Cleveland. Now it is the Steelers' turn to host, and the Browns have not won in the regular season in Pittsburgh since 2003. The odds are in Pittsburgh's favor as the Steelers are favorites going into this game, but it is hard to feel too confident about this matchup.
The Browns took away the passing game during this game earlier in the year, and Cleveland was able to move the ball through the air when they were on offense. This happened at the end of the game as the Browns were able to move the ball down the field with ease in order to kick the game-winning field goal. The Browns' passing game is expected to be a big part of this game once again, as ESPN's Seth Walder recently predicted a big game from rookie wide receiver Denzel Boston.
"Browns wide receiver Denzel Boston will record 80-plus receiving yards," Walder wrote. "It has been a down couple of weeks for Boston, but I'm a believer and think he bounces back. Steelers cornerback Jamel Dean is allowing 1.5 yards per coverage snap, well above average for an outside corner."
Boston has had a pretty good rookie season for the Browns, and it seems like he is going to be a problem for the Steelers to deal with for quite some time. However, the Steelers cannot let the rookie duo at wide receiver of Boston and KC Concepcion pick the secondary apart on Sunday.
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Steelers cornerback Jamel Dean during a regular season game against the Falcons on September 13, 2026.
Walder mentioned Jamel Dean as a potential liability for the Steelers in coverage as he is giving up more yards per route than the average cornerback. That isn't good, but it probably has a lot to do with the fact that the Steelers insist on playing soft zone coverage, which puts cornerbacks at a bit of a disadvantage when it comes to underneath routes.
The fact that there is a thought of a rookie wide receiver "picking on" an eight-year veteran is a bit bizarre, but the Browns will probably try to exploit this matchup. It is worth noting that Dean actually exited the first game against Cleveland with a sprained ankle, and he didn't return to the field until Week 6.
Steelers Need The Pass Rush To Help The Secondary Out On Sunday
There are a few reasons that opposing teams have been able to find easy completions against the Steelers. One is the constant off coverage that is played by the secondary that leaves them completely vulnerable to routes that break off before the sticks. The second is the pass rush not having enough time to get home. The coaching staff clearly is not comfortable playing a ton of man, but if the Steelers improve in their pass rush, the team should be able to play man. Man coverage muddies things up a bit for opposing quarterbacks, and it should buy pass rushers some extra time to get home.
What do you think about the Browns having a matchup to exploit? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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