The Steelers take on the Cleveland Browns on the road on Thursday night, a key AFC North matchup on a short turnaround.
The Steelers are coming into the game with an 8-2 record, while winning their last five games. The Browns are looking to turn things around this week, bringing a 2-8 record into the game and coming off a loss to the New Orleans Saints.
It will be another classic AFC North matchup, the ones that always make divisional games a toss-up.
"This is a great division," said Browns coach Kevin Stefanski. "With the AFC North and everybody knows each other so well, and when you have cities in such close proximity, I think that adds to the rivalries because there's so many people that grew up around here, grew up around Pittsburgh, obviously interact with each other throughout the year."
The Browns weighed in this week on the Steelers, including talking about Russell Wilson, George Pickens, Coach Mike Tomlin and more.
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Coach Kevin Stefanski on the Steelers-Browns rivalry:
"This is a great division. As you know, with the AFC North and everybody knows each other so well, and when you have cities in such close proximity, I think that adds to the rivalries because there's so many people that grew up around here, grew up around Pittsburgh, obviously interact with each other throughout the year. So, it makes it special. Being down at our stadium the last division game was special. I'd expect nothing but the same, especially in the setting of a Thursday night."
Cornerback Denzel Ward on Russell Wilson, George Pickens and Calvin Austin III:
"It's going to be a fun game, it's a division game. Russell Wilson, he is a veteran quarterback that's been playing very well for those guys. George Pickens, he is a top receiver in this league. Great receiver, great at catching the ball and making plays out there for his team. Austin, he is a faster guy, faster receiver, that can make plays with the ball in his hands.
"They are going to present a challenge like every team in the NFL and I'm looking forward to it."
Stefanski on why the Steelers are able to find ways to win, even when they don't score a touchdown:
"I think their plus 11 turnover margin. That's the number one stat when you think about winning and losing. I think they're doing a nice job of their offense taking care of the ball, the defense going to get the ball."
Quarterback Jameis Winston on preparing for the Steelers on a short week:
"Ever since I became a Brown, I've learned that I don't become a Brown until we beat the Steelers. We have to turn this thing around quick.
"That is a great team in Pittsburgh. I have so much respect for Coach Mike Tomlin and what they're doing year in and year out. We just have to be prepared and show up."
Stefanski on if there is anything quarterback Russell Wilson is doing differently now:
"He's a great player. The style in which he plays hasn't changed very much. He can win off schedule. He can win on schedule. Great deep ball thrower. He's taking care of the ball. He's a great player."
Defensive end Myles Garrett on how different the Steelers are with Russell Wilson and Arthur Smith:
"Fundamentally, they're still the Pittsburgh that I've seen since I got into the league. Always going to find a way to win, not going to beat themselves, just very smart and just a savvy team. They know the best way to put themselves in position to win. And Russ definitely helps them be a little more versatile move them down the field. He's playing some great football right now. Definitely hitting the deep ball with some consistency, can scramble when they need to. But their core and who they've been, that hasn't changed."
Stefanski on being around Mike Tomlin early in his career in Minnesota:
"Mike and I were together in 2006 with the Vikings. First day I showed up there was Mike's introductory press conference. It was my first day on the job. So, I got to know Mike for not even a calendar year we worked together and then he was in Pittsburgh. Good friend of mine. I have a ton of respect for what he does, who he is on the field, who he is off the field."
Winston, who has never played against the Steelers, on the Steelers overall:
"The Steelers, just since I've been growing up, have had great leadership from the head coach position and Coach Mike Tomlin is one of the best. So, his team definitely reflects on the type of person that he is. So, I know that's why their team is very disciplined and that's why they play with their whole heart. It starts with the head coach. I've got so much respect for him and the man that he is and that defense is, they're bend but don't break defense and they're disciplined, they're a sound defense.
"They don't make mistakes. They're really good. They've got three premier rushers, two on the edge, one in the interior. They got Patrick Queen who's playing better than he's played. They got a young corner that's elite. They got a veteran corner that I've seen over the course of my career. He's fast and likes to take chances and they got a safety that's a ballhawk. So, they're stacked on every level. I think the main focus is the Cleveland Browns have to come and play Cleveland Browns best version of football."
Ward on going against Pickens and if he tries to get under the defender's skin:
"He's fun to go against. People really don't get under my skin. I am not too concerned about a player getting under my skin. I am going to go out there and do what I can to help the team win, make plays and try to find a way to get a win. That is the ultimate goal."
Stefanski on how physical George Pickens is and what kind of challenge he presents:
"They're doing a nice job utilizing him in a bunch of different ways. He's obviously a down the field threat, as everybody knows, and he can go down on those 50-50 balls one-on-one. But he can catch quick gain. They can run jailbreak screens to him. There's really a bunch of different things that they're doing with him."
Garrett on what it is about the Steelers makeup that allows them to win games even when they don't score a lot of points:
"Great coaching, very consistent across the board, the standards and expectations, no matter who's in there. And that kind of coaching seeps into the players and leads to the execution just being on point down the stretch, especially when they need it."
Stefanski on why the Steelers are good at close games:
"I think it probably goes back to the earlier point about that turnover margin. If you do a good job taking care of the ball, you take away on defense, you're typically setting yourself up in those final four minutes of the game to be in four-minute and try to use the clock to your advantage and play that complementary ball. But I think it really goes back to that turnover margin."
Winston on if you have to be aware of where Watt is at all times:
"Yeah, he's an amazing player. I was fortunate enough to play against his brother (J.J. Watt). Anytime you got a dominant edge rusher, you definitely have awareness where he is at all times. I think he just needs to continue to keep doing what he's doing, and he'll lead himself to the Hall of Fame."
Stefanski on offensive coordinator Arthur Smith:
"Arthur does a great job. He's done a nice job marrying that run and pass game. He's doing a nice job utilizing all of his guys, the receivers, the tight ends, the backs. So, I think Russell fits in well."
Receiver Jerry Jeudy on what he has heard about the Steelers-Browns rivalry and how excited he is to play in it:
"I am excited to go out there and play ball. It's a big game, a big rivalry game. It's been going on for a long time. We have to go out there and get the win. I don't feel anything but get the W."
Stefanski on how disruptive linebacker T.J. Watt is:
"He always is disruptive. A great player, an elite rusher. Plays hard. Good versus the run. Good versus the pass long. He's long, so you can see on sacks where he just gets that long arm in there and can knock the ball out. So great player."
Ward on getting up for the Steelers-Browns rivalry even with the Browns current record:
"It's easy to get up for a division game. Going against a team like Pittsburgh, it's a tough game, a physical game, but it's definitely a game you look forward to playing in and competing."
Stefanski on Preston Smith being added to the defense:
"He's playing on both sides. Again, speaking of length, very long player. Strong, good against the run. Plays with effort. He can really be a factor in the run or the pass."
Stefanski on Preston Smith being added to the defense:
"He's playing on both sides. Again, speaking of length, very long player. Strong, good against the run. Plays with effort. He can really be a factor in the run or the pass."
Winston on if it's better to have a quick turnaround when coming off a loss;
"Losses aren't ever good. But we have a great opponent coming into our house that we have to be ready for because they are a good football team. We don't have time to linger, we have to focus on our next matchup."
Stefanski on how to bounce back after a loss on a short week:
"These Thursday night games don't allow you really to spend much time thinking about the previous one. You got to get on the next opponent, understand what they're about as a team, offense, defense, special teams, all those things. So, we need to lock in this week versus a division opponent. Obviously yesterday, like we talked about after the game, very disappointing. Disappointing, going into the fourth quarter with a chance and then not finish that game. We all share in it. It's an offense, defense, special teams, players and coaches type of thing. So, we're all sharing it. We have to look at all those things and go back to how you win games in this league and correct those things starting this week so you can go out and find a way to win versus a good Steelers team."
Winston on preparing for the rush from the Steelers defense and what you have to do to combat it:
"Well, it's precision passing, getting the ball out on time, elite operation and just doing our job. It's the simple things. Like this team is not going to try to fool you. They're going to line up and say, "Give us your best, we're going to give our best."
Stefanski on if there are any signs of Cameron Heyward slowing down:
"No. No signs. He's healthy. I think he was battling injuries going into last year, but he's as good as there is. He's so strong. Good versus the run. Sacks the quarterback. Beats one-on-one blocks. Gets his hands up, bats a lot of footballs. He is outstanding."
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