Steelers must prove containing Browns’ rush attack in Game 1 wasn't a fluke

The most head-scratching outcome of the 2021 Steelers season wasn’t their 16-16 tie against the 0-8 Detroit Lions on Nov. 14.

I mean, c’mon. We’ve gotten pretty used to the Steelers underperforming against lesser competition in recent years. Haven’t we?

I’d argue this team’s biggest surprise came during a 15-10 victory against the Cleveland Browns in Week 8.

Not because the Steelers managed to win up in Cleveland. But because the team’s lousy run defense somehow bottled up the Browns’ highly effective rushing attack.

Cleveland entered that game tops in the NFL at 170.4 yards per game on the ground. Yet the Steelers held them to 96.

That was on the heels of yielding 144 in the previous game to the Seattle Seahawks, 5.9 yards per carry the week prior against the Denver Broncos, 131 yards in Week 4 versus the Green Bay Packers and 90 yards on 18 carries to Joe Mixon in Week 3 when the Cincinnati Bengals came to Heinz Field.

Since that anomaly of a performance from the rush defense in Week 8 against the Browns, the Steelers have allowed at least 100 yards rushing in every game. The average rushing performance from opponents is a ghastly 174.9 yards per outing during that span of eight games.

The defense’s overall average of 142.7 yards against on the ground over the course of 2021 ranks the Steelers dead last in the NFL.

Meanwhile, due to injuries and covid restrictions surrounding the backs and linemen, the Browns’ offensive rush game has dipped since the Steelers last saw them. Coach Kevin Stefanski’s group dropped to 144.9 per game. That’s still third behind the Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts.

There was a recent three-game stretch where the Browns were only able to muster an average of 73 yards per contest. However, the rush attack, led by Pro Bowler Nick Chubb, snapped back into form on Christmas Day against the Green Bay Packers, totaling 219 yards on the ground. Chubb had 126.

Cleveland also still has a 5.1 yards per carry average, tied with the Eagles and Colts for the best in the NFL.

So what did the Steelers do so well against the Browns in Week 8 that most other teams have not? Head coach Mike Tomlin’s answer Tuesday was less about schemes or execution. It was more about the defense’s focus, dedication and desire to eliminate that element of Cleveland’s offense beyond all else.

“We had big-time urgency the last time we played these guys,” Tomlin said. “We understood how significant the game was. It was significant for us, where we were in our season. We understood that Nick Chubb was a catalyst for them. That if we didn’t minimize that component of play it was going to be difficult. Not a lot has changed in terms of that narrative and discussion.”

No. It hasn’t. Given that, if the Steelers don’t win each of their last two games, they’ll likely be on the outside looking in at the playoffs, that urgency should be ratcheted up even more.

On Monday, inside linebacker Robert Spillane offered an assessment of where the Steelers need to improve against opposing rush attacks, starting Monday night against Cleveland.

“It’s all about getting off blocks and making tackles,” Spillane said. “The fundamental principles of run defense. Staying in your gap. Staying square. Being able to fall back and make plays as an inside linebacker … Whoop a man’s (backside) who is in front of you. And make a play. We need to get back to that.”

No doubt. In fact, that’s overdue. As Tomlin pointed out, if the Steelers fail in containing the run, that makes quarterback Baker Mayfield dangerous because he is adept at running play action. He’s also capable of hurting opponents on boots and rollouts off of that play action.

Furthermore, Cleveland’s running backs may be even more dangerous now than they were when the teams met back in October because Kareem Hunt is available to the Browns. He missed that game and has been in and out of Cleveland’s lineup due to a calf injury and time on the covid-19 list.

But Tomlin insists the focus has to remain on stopping Chubb first. Despite totaling just 61 yards against the Steelers earlier this year, he is third in the NFL with 1,143 rushing yards.

“Nick Chubb is awesome,” Tomlin said. “He’s got great vision, contact balance and patience as a runner. He is a tough tackle. He is not given enough credit for his second- and third-level running. Oftentimes, when he gets in those spaces, it is Katy, bar the door.”

Based on how things have gone of late for the Steelers rush defense, plenty of extra reinforcement may be necessary.

In our weekly post-press conference wrap-up podcast, Joe Rutter and Tim Benz discuss the muddy AFC playoff picture, the Steelers’ upcoming contest against the Cleveland Browns and the prospect of it potentially being Ben Roethlisberger’s last home game.