Previewing the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns Week 18 showdown

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns are two teams who know each other well considering they are AFC North rivals and play each other twice every season. For the home team, the game in Week 18 is as big one. The Steelers are on a three-game winning streak, and could be in the AFC Playoffs if they win and get some help. With that said, this game gets even more attention.

Here is the game preview for the Steelers and Browns for their Week 18 matchup in Pittsburgh.

Team Records

Pittsburgh Steelers: 8-8
Cleveland Browns: 7-9

Odds (Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)

Browns (+3.0)
OVER/UNDER: 40
Moneyline: Steelers -140; Browns +120

Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.

Last 5 Games in series

Steelers: 2-3

Matchup History

Pittsburgh Steelers lead series 79-62-1

Injury Report

(Note: This will be updated throughout the week as more injury reports are released)

Steelers

Game Status

• DB Tre Norwood (Hamstring) - Out
• S Minkah Fitzpatrick (Ankle) - Questionable
• LB Myles Jack (Groin) - Questionable

Friday, January 6

WR Diontae Johnson (Hip) - FP
DB Tre Norwood (Hamstring) - DNP
RB Najee Harris (Not Injury Related - Resting Player) - FP
CB Arthur Maulet (Illness) - FP
S Minkah Fitzpatrick (Ankle) - LP
CB James Pierre (Concussion) - FP
LB Myles Jack (Groin) - LP
OL Kevin Dotson (Shoulder) - FP
DL Larry Ogunjobi (Toe) - FP
LB Alex Highsmith (Ankle) - FP
DT Cameron Heyward (Not Injury Related - Resting Player) - FP

Thursday, January 5

WR Diontae Johnson (Hip) - FP
DB Tre Norwood (Hamstring) - LP
RB Najee Harris (Not Injury Related - Resting Player) - FP
CB Arthur Maulet (Illness) - DNP
S Minkah Fitzpatrick (Ankle) - DNP
CB James Pierre (Concussion) - FP
LB Myles Jack (Groin) - DNP
OL Kevin Dotson (Shoulder) - FP
DL Larry Ogunjobi (Toe) - DNP
LB Alex Highsmith (Ankle) - LP
DT Cameron Heyward (Not Injury Related - Resting Player) - DNP

Wednesday, January 4

WR Diontae Johnson (Hip) - DNP
DB Tre Norwood (Hamstring) - DNP
RB Najee Harris (Not Injury Related - Resting Player) - DNP
CB Arthur Maulet (Illness) - DNP
S Minkah Fitzpatrick (Ankle) - DNP
CB James Pierre (Concussion) - FP
LB Myles Jack (Groin) - DNP
OL Kevin Dotson (Shoulder) - DNP
DL Larry Ogunjobi (Toe) - DNP

Browns

Game Status

• T J. Conklin (Ankle) - Out
• DE I. Thomas (Foot) - Out
• CB D. Ward (Shoulder) - Questionable

Friday, January 6

G J. Bitonio (NIR - Rest) - DNP
DE J. Clowney (NIR - Rest) - DNP
T J. Conklin (Ankle) - DNP
WR A. Cooper (NIR - Rest - Hip) - LP
DE M. Garrett (NIR - Rest) - FP
RB D. Johnson (Shoulder) - LP
CB D. Ward (Shoulder) - DNP
G D. Forbes (NIR - Personal) - FP
C E. Pocic (Illness) - FP
DE I. Thomas (Foot) - DNP

Thursday, January 5

G J. Bitonio (NIR - Rest) - DNP
DE J. Clowney (NIR - Rest) - DNP
T J. Conklin (Ankle) - DNP
WR A. Cooper (NIR - Rest - Hip) - LP
DE M. Garrett (NIR - Rest) - DNP
RB D. Johnson (Shoulder) - LP
CB D. Ward (Shoulder) - DNP
G D. Forbes (NIR - Personal) - DNP
C E. Pocic (Illness) - DNP
DE I. Thomas (Foot) - DNP

Wednesday, January 4

G J. Bitonio (NIR - Rest) - DNP
DE J. Clowney (NIR - Rest) - DNP
T J. Conklin (Ankle) - DNP
WR A. Cooper (NIR - Rest - Hip) - DNP
DE M. Garrett (NIR - Rest) - DNP
RB D. Johnson (Shoulder) - DNP
CB D. Ward (Shoulder) - DNP

News and Notes

The last time these two bitter AFC North rivals played one another was in Week 3 on Thursday Night Football. Considering this upcoming game is in Week 18, the regular season finale, that first meeting feels like light years away.

Just think about how things have changed since that game:

• Mitch Trubisky was the starting quarterback for the Steelers
• Jacoby Brissett was the starting quarterback for the Browns
• Rookies like Jaylen Warren and George Pickens were still developing a niche within the offense
• The Steelers were without T.J. Watt who was on Injured Reserve (IR)

I could go on, but when these two teams meet on Sunday at Acrisure Stadium it will be like two different teams facing one another for the first time this season. Sure, some of the same names and faces haven’t changed. Names like Cam Heyward, Myles Garrett, Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt and Najee Harris. However, at least for one team, there is a lot more on the line than just a divisional win.

With the Browns already eliminated from the postseason, they have to rely on playing spoiler for the Steelers. Pittsburgh doesn’t control its own destiny when it comes to the AFC Playoffs, but they need to win their game to have a shot. If the Steelers win and get help by way of New York Jets and Buffalo Bills wins, they are in as the 7th seed in the playoffs. I think it’s safe to say the Browns would love nothing more than to end the thought of a playoff berth for their rivals.

As for the Steelers, they are hoping to win four straight games, and to punch their ticket to the big dance. Can rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett continue his magical streak of back-to-back game-winning drives? I think Steelers fans would agree the hope is to not need those type of comebacks. This should be a good one, with plenty of scoreboard watching going on during the 1 p.m. ET games.

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Be sure to stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the black and gold for all the coverage of their game with the Browns in Pittsburgh in Week 18 of the 2022 regular season.