Tuvieron que pasar 11 semanas para que los Pittsburgh Steelers enfrentarán su primer duelo divisional el domingo pasado y ahora toca semana corta porque este jueves el equipo jugará ante los Cleveland Browns en su segundo juego dentro del norte de la Conferencia Americana.
Los Steelers llegan como líderes divisionales y una racha de cinco partidos ganados de manera consecutiva. La historia en Cleveland es muy diferente, los Browns tienen marca de 2-8 y han tenido muchos problemas con lesiones durante la temporada, pero no es motivo para confiarse, ya que las visitas a su estadio siempre resultan complicadas no importa la situación.
"Cuando tienes juegos divisionales consecutivos es un tema importante, pero cuando tienes juegos divisionales consecutivos y el segundo es en semana corta de visitante te obliga a ponerle mucha atención y urgencia de diferentes maneras", palabras de nuestro Head Coach, Mike Tomlin.
Hablemos un poquito más de los Browns, son la ofensiva 31 en puntos anotados y la defensiva 20 en puntos permitidos por sus oponentes. Tienen una tendencia clara a pasar muchas más veces el balón que a correr (70% pase - 30% carreras), lo que nos hace suponer que la defensiva secundaria de Pittsburgh tendrá una tarde ocupada, sumándole a que Jameis Winston ha tenido un buen porcentaje de pases completos bajo presión. Watt contra Conklin y Herbig contra Ifedi serán duelos clave para nuestra defensiva.
Del otro lado del balón hay un reto importante en frenar a Myles Garrett, un viejo conocido de los Steelers en estos duelos divisionales. Dan Moore Jr. será el encargado de enfrentarse a Garrett, la protección a Russell Wilson y los espacios que pueda abrir nuestra línea ofensiva para que Najee y Jaylen puedan establecer el juego terrestre es esencial para poder tomar control del partido desde temprano.
Este partido lo podrán disfrutar en Fox Sports México en punto de las 7:15pm y en nuestro sitio web con la narración de Álvaro Martín y Arturo Carlos. Es muy importante mantener la ventaja dentro de la división y continuar por el camino de la victoria rumbo al cierre de la temporada regular. Falta mucho futbol americano por jugar.
Here we go!
The Steelers prepare for the Week 12 matchup against the Cleveland Browns

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 12 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 12 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts (50) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 12 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 12 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Ben Skowronek (15) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 12 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Adetokunbo Ogundeji (48) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 12 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko (96) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 12 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Preston Smith (91) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 12 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 12 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Scotty Miller (13) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 12 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 12 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Isaiahh Loudermilk (92) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 12 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 12 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers guard Mason McCormick (66), Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54), and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Broderick Jones (77) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 12 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon (49) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 12 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Isaiahh Loudermilk (92) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 12 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Isaiahh Loudermilk (92) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 12 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 12 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)