It's Week 8 of the NFL regular season and the Pittsburgh Steelers AND Cleveland Browns are playing meaningful football. And it's against one another. This is rare air and great for the AFC North, which is once again proving to be one of the most balanced divisions in football.

The Browns and Steelers are both 5-2 and duking it out for the top of the division and here are the big storylines to watch this week.

All the trash talk

Both sides, players and fans alike, are letting the trash talk fly. I think it is great for the game and great for both franchises. The only thing that matters is who win, then the talk can really amp up for one side while the other licks its wounds and rebounds for the next game.

Missed tackles corrected?

The Steelers missed 16 tackles in the first matchup and if it happens again, they will be swept by the Browns for the first time since 1988. Tackling is better but still somewhat inconsistent but improving. Of all the metrics to watch this week, missed tackles could end up the most important.

Who has the confidence here?

The Browns team seems to be brimming with confidence after their hot start and early-season win over Pittsburgh. This is the best start they have had since 2020, which is the same season the Browns beat the Steelers in the playoffs. Steelers players don't have that same level of energy despite the same record to start the year.

What would a loss mean?

For the Steelers, a loss to the Browns could set them up for an active bye week. It's not the end of the season by any means but it could definitely change how the Steelers approach the trade deadline without a game to play. A win would give the Steelers the lead in the North and give some cushion heading into their bye.