WHERE: Cleveland Browns Stadium.
WHEN: Today, 1 p.m.
TV: CBS.
RECORDS: Steelers (6-4); Browns (2-8).
SERIES: Steelers lead, 64-56.
BROWNS ON OFFENSE: Quarterback Brandon Weeden continues to show inconsistency in his rookie season. His completion percentage (55.3) needs to improve, but since throwing four interceptions in the opener he's thrown 11 touchdown passes and eight interceptions. Running back Trent Richardson has 670 rushing yards and five touchdowns, but he hasn't been able to break any long runs. Receiver Greg Little has cut down drastically on his drops. He has 30 receptions. The line has been outstanding in giving Weeden time to throw, but it needs to improve in the running game.
STEELERS ON OFFENSE: Injuries have hit hard, including a rib-and-shoulder injury to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Byron Leftwich replaced Roethlisberger last week against the Ravens, but he has cracked ribs. Enter 15-yard veteran Charlie Batch. Batch has played well in a backup role in the past, but he hasn't taken a snap this season. Receiver Plaxico Burress was added this week in the wake of injuries to Jerricho Cotchery and Antonio Brown. Burress hasn't played since last season with the New York Jets. The line has dealt with several injuries but has played better of late. Running back Rashard Mendenhall has had an injury-plagued season. Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman have performed well in Mendenhall's absence. Mike Wallace leads all receivers with 46 receptions for 565 yards and six touchdowns.
BROWNS ON DEFENSE: The interior of the line finally had tackles Ahtyba Rubin and Phil Taylor on the field together for the first time this season against the Cowboys. That should prove crucial in trying to limit the Steelers' power run game. The two leading tacklers are cornerbacks Buster Skrine and Sheldon Brown, which is an indication of opponents working the two in the passing game. Getting cornerback Joe Haden back from an oblique injury would be huge. The Browns lost all five games he's missed this season. The defense allowed 10 penalties that resulted in first downs against the Cowboys. Can someone tell Skrine that he's not allowed to bump receivers beyond 5 yards?
STEELERS ON DEFENSE: The Steelers are again the top-rated unit in the NFL, allowing 259.1 yards a game. They're first against the pass and fifth against the run, giving up just 89.8 yards a game. Linebackers Larry Foote and Lawrence Timmons lead in tackles with 71 each. Free safety Ryan Clark is having a big year and is third in stops with 61. Strong safety Troy Polamalu might be back after missing several games with a calf injury. Needless to say, Weeden will have to be careful in dealing with all the zone blitzes he'll see.
BROWNS ON SPECIAL TEAMS: What more can be said about kicker Phil Dawson, who's 19-of-19 on field-goal tries and 5-of-5 at 50 yards and beyond. Punter Reggie Hodges has a 36.9 net average, which needs to improve. Return specialist Joshua Cribbs averages 28.4 yards on kick returns and 13.2 yards on punt returns. The return units have been penalized too many times.
STEELERS ON SPECIAL TEAMS: Kicker Shaun Suisham has connected on 21-of-22 field-goal attempts. Punter Drew Butler has a 37.2 net average. Returner Chris Rainey will be called on because of injuries.
BROWNS MUST: Get production from Richardson. If he's bottled up, the Steelers will blitz Weeden all day. The Browns need to get in Batch's face.
STEELERS MUST: Do what they always do on defense shut down the run and rattle the quarterback with their blitz packages. If they can't get much out of their running attack, it could be a long day for the offense.
PREDICTION: Steelers, 20-13.
