This Sunday, the Cleveland Browns will travel east to play the Pittsburgh Steelers in a key divisional matchup. Both teams have a 5-2 record as they jockey for position in the race to win the AFC North. I won’t call it a must-win game, but every division game is important in a close race.

The Steelers are early favorites as the home team. If the Browns want to pull off the upset, then they will have to win the pivotal battles. Here are my three key matchups for the Browns in Week 8 against the Steelers.

Limit The Edge Rush

The Steelers have one of the best edge rushing groups in the NFL, and they are led by future Hall of Fame linebacker TJ Watt. Keeping that group in check and out of the face of Deshaun Watson will be critical. 

Rookie left tackle Spencer Fano will have his hands full. It would be wise to help him with tight end chips and running backs in pass protection. The more obstacles the Browns can put in the path of the pass rusher, the easier time the offense will have.

Continue To Feed KC

This Steelers defensive front is difficult to run against. So instead of trying to force the running game, the Browns should look to extend that with the short passing game. We saw success with this last week when throwing the ball to rookie KC Concepcion. 

Concepcion is very quick and elusive. Even against a good tackling cornerback in Jamel Dean, this is a matchup the Browns could exploit. Sprinkle in some designed runs, and it could be another big day for the rookie.

Stop The Run

The Steelers have the 9th lowest average in yards per pass attempt. They also have the 10th  best average in yards per carry. They are much more effective at running the ball than airing it out.

It will take a full team effort to slow this running game down. It can’t just be Carson Schwesinger; it has to be guys like Quincy Williams and Grant Delpit who make their presence felt. If they can do that and limit this Steelers run game then it will go a long way to helping the Browns get the win.