Pittsburgh visits Cleveland on Thursday night with both teams at 2-1 and an early AFC North opportunity on the line. Kickoff at Huntington Bank Field is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video, the Browns' official game page confirms. Cleveland enters with consecutive victories over Tampa Bay and Carolina; Pittsburgh arrives after beating Cincinnati.
The first matchup to watch is Aaron Rodgers against Cleveland's pressure. The Browns' official preview describes a defense trying to disguise its intentions against a quarterback who can identify pressure and release the ball quickly. Rodgers has completed 66 of 113 passes for 700 yards and four touchdowns through three games. Cleveland's ability to force a longer decision could matter more than simply showing rushers before the snap.
Jaylen Warren carries a larger backfield role with Rico Dowdle ruled out. Warren led Pittsburgh's backfield in its win over Cincinnati while Dowdle was absent. That recent role gives Pittsburgh an established option for Thursday, though it does not guarantee an identical workload.
Cleveland's offense has its own protection test against T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. The Browns' preview lists Watt with 3.5 sacks and Highsmith with three, and each with four tackles for loss. Cleveland has ruled out offensive linemen Elgton Jenkins and Teven Jenkins, along with receiver Tylan Wallace. Those absences make the final protection plan consequential for Deshaun Watson.
Jalen Ramsey is active Thursday night despite his wrist injury, and defensive lineman Yahya Black is also active after being listed as questionable. Brandin Echols is available after clearing concussion protocol. The Steelers' final inactive list confirms that Rico Dowdle will miss the game; quarterbacks Drew Allar and Will Howard, running back Eli Heidenreich and defensive linemen Kevin Jobity Jr. and Gabriel Rubio are also inactive. Howard is the emergency third quarterback.
Cleveland's final list has quarterback Taylen Green, receiver Tylan Wallace, linebacker Justin Jefferson, center Elgton Jenkins and guard Teven Jenkins inactive. Green is the emergency third quarterback. Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk independently reported both final lists Thursday evening.
NFL on ESPN’s Thursday discussion below opens with Watson and the Browns–Steelers matchup.
