When the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Cleveland Browns this weekend, they understand this is a game they cannot lose and still think in terms of the playoffs. But after losing to the browns 21-7 in the last matchup, what has to change to turn those results around?
It has to start with these four guys. Here are the four Steelers who must step up this week.
RB Benny Snell
Last week, once the run game got going it was because of Snell. The last times these two teams squared off, running backs only mustered 43 rushing yards. With James Conner almost certainly still out of action this week and Jaylen Samuels seemingly out of the mix for carries, it is Snell or nothing if the running back hopes to succeed.
WR Diontae Johnson
The best thing a young quarterback can have is a dependable receiver. James Washington has finally started to emerge but Johnson still hasn’t shown enough consistency. He’s tremendous with the football in his hands but the Steelers still haven’t figured out how to get him more touches.
LB Devin Bush
We don’t like the downturn we’ve seen in Bush’s snaps over the past three weeks. The Browns are going to trot out a two-headed rushing attack with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt and Bush needs to be on the field.
QB Devlin Hodges
This one might seem obvious but I want to see more from Hodges than just managing the game and don’t turn the football over. The Browns have proven they can score on this defense. Hodges is going to need to make more throws this week and cannot rely on the defense carrying him.
