The Steelers close out the regular season on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, with the Steelers already having secured a playoff spot and the AFC North Division, while the Browns are battling for a playoff spot.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger won't play on Sunday, instead Mason Rudolph getting the start.
But the Browns know they are going to get the Steelers best no matter who is on the field, especially from a defense that has impressed them.
"It's a really talented defensive front," said center J.C. Tretter. "I think it's the most talented front seven in football."
The Browns weighed in on the Steelers this week, including talking about linebacker T.J. Watt, the defensive line, and the quarterbacks.
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Coach Kevin Stefanski on linebacker T.J. Watt:
"He is a great player. He is somebody that when you watch the tape, he is making a play almost every play. He plays with great violence and anticipation. He is long. Plays with effort. Really have a lot of respect for him."
Quarterback Baker Mayfield on Watt and having to account for where he is all of the time:
"T.J. is a great player. He is a guy you have to know where he is at on the field at all times. They do a good job of moving him around, putting him in spots to create plays. You see teams bringing extra guys over there to help block. He is a smart football player first. He recognizes a lot. He is talented. There is no question about it. You definitely have to notice where he is at all times."
Running back Nick Chubb on the Steelers defensive front:
"I think watching those guys, they are very big and physical up front. They play hard, they play together. I think for the most part that is why they have had so much success. The guys they have on defense are very good players. It will be a challenge for us for sure."
Stefanski on the different challenge facing quarterback Ben Roethlisberger vs. Mason Rudolph:
"I see the challenge as facing the Pittsburgh Steelers. I have a ton of respect obviously for Ben Roethlisberger. He is a great, great player. We need to get to know this entire team, and that is part of our preparation. We really have to dive in and understand the challenge in front of us. At the end of the day, really the onus is on us and making sure that our preparation is on point. We do everything that we need to do to get prepared and really worry about ourselves as much as our opponent."
Stefanski on game planning for quarterback Mason Rudolph and others who might play this week:
"We have tape of Mason Rudolph playing in games so that is where you start. You make sure you understand him as a player and understand him and his strengths. Really, we prepare to face the Steelers. You study their depth chart. You study their players and you study their schemes. In regard to the quarterback, you just have to get to know him, and that is what we are working hard as a staff and as a defensive staff to understand his strengths and how we anticipate they will play the game."
Center J.C. Tretter on the Steelers line, including Cam Heyward, Stephon Tuitt and Tyson Alualu, bringing pressure up front:
"I think they're three extremely talented defensive linemen. They do really good at bringing five, getting pressure with five. They have five really good rushers. You as an offensive line realize in many cases you are going to have five one-on-one blocks you are going to have to hold up. It's not easy to do, especially when you are doing five one-on-one blocks against five of the better rushers in the league. That is something they have that is a big advantage for them.
"You've seen the sack numbers they have had over the last four years. They have a lot of talent on that side of the ball. They are good pass rushers. They're good in all phases of the game. It's a really talented defensive front. I think it's the most talented front seven in football."
Tretter on whether it's talent or scheme that has the defense so successful:
"They have a great scheme too, but when you have that amount of talent in your front seven you're set up for success as is. Any scheme on top of it just helps the cause."
Tretter on handling the Steelers defense if he thinks they will play everyone on Sunday:
"I think it would be a miscalculation if you didn't. I think we go into this game ready to take their best, and I think they are going to give us their best."
