The Pittsburgh Steelers have built a reputation for making life difficult for opposing teams at Acrisure Stadium, and Cleveland Browns safety Grant Delpit recently explained what makes playing in Pittsburgh such a challenge. His answer included a familiar complaint about the playing surface, but he also acknowledged two factors that have made the Steelers a difficult opponent for Cleveland over the years.
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Steelers WR DK Metcalf makes a catch after getting past Browns safety Grant Delpit in the second half of 2026 week 3 matchup
Speaking about what makes it tough to win in Pittsburgh, Delpit didn't hold back when discussing the grass at Acrisure Stadium.
"The grass sucks. That's one. Grass is terrible, but they have a good crowd, of course, and they're a good team. So they just had our number the past few years there and hopefully we get that back," Delpit said.
The comments offer an interesting perspective ahead of the latest Steelers-Browns matchup. While Delpit clearly isn't a fan of playing on Pittsburgh's grass, he recognizes that the challenge goes beyond the field itself. The Steelers have a passionate fan base, a home environment that can make communication difficult for visiting teams, and a history of giving Cleveland problems in Pittsburgh. For Steelers fans, the acknowledgment that their team has had Cleveland's number at home is particularly noteworthy. Division games are rarely easy, regardless of the teams' records, but Pittsburgh has often found ways to make the Browns uncomfortable when they travel to the Steel City.
Delpit's remarks also show that Cleveland understands the challenge awaiting it. The Browns aren't simply preparing to face another opponent on the schedule. They're heading into a divisional rivalry in which the home crowd, the atmosphere, and the Steelers' familiarity with their surroundings can all play a role.
Steelers Have More Than Home-Field Advantage Working In Their Favor
The complaint about the grass isn't new. Acrisure Stadium's playing surface became a major talking point in 2025 after players criticized its condition following a Steelers-Browns game. Aaron Rodgers described the field as "borderline unplayable," while other players also voiced concerns about the footing. The stadium's surface drew additional scrutiny after Chris Boswell slipped on a field-goal attempt.
However, the playing conditions aren't something Pittsburgh can simply ignore. The Steelers need a reliable surface just as much as their opponents do, particularly when footing can affect cuts, changes of direction, and kicking. The organization replaced the playing surface ahead of the 2026 season, making the condition of the new grass an important storyline whenever the team returns home. Still, Delpit's larger point was about the difficulty of winning in Pittsburgh. A loud crowd can make it harder for an opposing offense to communicate protections and adjustments, while the Steelers can feed off that energy when the game gets close. Those factors become even more important in a divisional matchup, where a single mistake can swing momentum.
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Steelers' Sebastian Joseph-Day celebrates with teammates in front of the crowd at Acrisure Stadium in 2026.
The Browns will need to handle that environment while staying focused on the game itself. Cleveland has the talent to compete with Pittsburgh, but playing well at home and winning on the road are two different challenges. Delpit's comments suggest that the Browns are well aware of how difficult it can be to leave Pittsburgh with a victory. The rivalry itself adds another challenge for Cleveland. Steelers-Browns games tend to carry extra intensity because both teams understand how much divisional wins matter. When the crowd gets involved and momentum starts shifting, visiting teams can quickly find themselves under pressure. Pittsburgh will look to use that energy to its advantage again.
For the Steelers, the goal is to make sure that reputation continues to mean something. The crowd can provide an advantage, but Pittsburgh still has to execute on both sides of the ball, avoid costly mistakes, and take advantage of opportunities when they appear. Delpit's hope that Cleveland can finally turn things around in Pittsburgh adds another layer to an already intense rivalry. The Browns want to change the recent narrative, while the Steelers have every reason to protect their home-field advantage.
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