Tuesday, November 19

Physical football is the norm: The message throughout the Steelers locker room has been the same no matter who you talk to.

Take care of your body this week.

The Steelers are coming off a physical game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, and head right into another physical game on Thursday night against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Stadium.

"It's tough," said linebacker T.J. Watt. "It's tough on the body. But it's one of those things where it's who can recover as quickly as possible. I think we've done a good job of getting flushed out yesterday and getting in today and having a walkthrough. Tomorrow, I think we'll crank it up a little bit. Feel good overall."

Watt knows what the expectation is for Thursday night, a game that is always a battle as there is no love lost between the two teams.

But it's nothing unusual for the Steelers this year, as physicality has been a theme in every game.

"It seems like every game this year has been pretty physical," said Watt. "We know it'll be another physical AFC North football game this week. The Browns have to deal with it just like we do."

The Steelers take an 8-2 record into the game, while the Browns are 2-8 on the season and looking to get back on track.

Watt isn't worried about the Steelers overlooking the Browns because of the record because it's just not how they operate.

"That's the special thing about this group is you don't really have to (tell guys not to overlook an opponent)," said Watt. "We have a good mix of old and young guys. Guys that have done it at a high level, whether it's here or other places. (Guys) that have played in a lot of big games that want to continue to make plays. So, it's not like it's something we need to go around encouraging guys that this is a big game this week. We all understand."

The Steelers are in first place in the AFC North after defeating the Ravens on Sunday, and are winning in different manners, with talent and potential across the board.

The key is, though, they are a team that never looks beyond the next game and that is what is leading to success.

"We're just taking it one game at a time," said Watt. "We really are. We feel like we have a lot of good personnel, good coaching, good schemes. We're trying to put together good games week after week, starting with good practices. And I feel like we're doing that week in, week out.

"We're trying to win. We're trying to continue to get better each and every week. I feel like that's something that we've been able to do, but it doesn't do anything if we lay an egg on Thursday night.

"We need to continue to grow, continue to get better and stay humble through it all."

The one thing that people are talking about is the Steelers as a unit, not individuals who are standing out. It's been a group effort from all three phases, with different players shining weekly.

"I don't want to discredit other seasons, but it definitely feels like we are a collective unit and that's not even just defensively," said Watt. "I think that's special teams, that's offense, defense all together.

"And it's not only just on the field, off the field as well.

"We don't care who's making the plays, don't care who gets the credit. We just want to win. And that is what has led to some of the success that we've had."

Bring your 'big boy' hat: If there is one thing you can't get enough of following a physical AFC North match up against the Baltimore Ravens, it's rest.

And if there is one thing the Steelers don't have time to do this week, it's rest.

With a Thursday night game against the Cleveland Browns, it is a condensed week for the Steelers, with Coach Mike Tomlin describing it best saying it's like trying "to get eight pounds in a five-pound bag."

Defensive tackle Cameron Heyward is no stranger to having to come back on short notice for a Thursday night game, and he knows it's never easy.

When asked if it's tougher having to do so coming off such a physical game, his answer was on point.

"Ask me after the game," quipped Heyward.

He does, though, admit the body is a bit sorer getting ready for this one.

"Prep is sped up, body is a little bit more sore," said Heyward. "You try to recover. The thing about it is they have to deal with it too. So, it's an even playing field on that and we'll be ready."

The challenge is two-fold for the preparation, both physical and mental, and Heyward acknowledges you have focus on both.

"The physical reps, you're not going to get that many coming off of a game," said Heyward. "But the mental side, you don't want to be the same as last week. You want to make your adjustments and you're trying to fit run, pass and situational football all into a condensed week."

And it's a week where they are going to face a veteran quarterback with the ability to make explosive plays happen in Jameis Winston.

Winston has appeared in eight games this season, starting three with Deshaun Watson on the Reserve/Injured List. He has 89 completions for 1,047 yards and seven touchdowns.

"I think Jamei is a gunslinger," said Heyward. "He can throw the ball. He's got a tremendous amount of arm talent. He's going to take chances.

"And we've got to make sure we stop the run. You've got Nick Chubb back and if you provide short downs and distance because you didn't stop the run, Jameis is going to have a lot of success.

"They have different playmakers. You have Chubb, you have (Jerome) Ford, (David) Njoku, Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman, who does a lot of the dirty work for them. They have different playmakers. There's a lot of respect for that O-line.

"You have to bring your big boy hat this week."

The Steelers currently lead the AFC North with an 8-2 record, while the Browns are in last place at 2-8.

If there is one thing Heyward has learned through the years, though, it's when it comes to the AFC North, just throw the records out the window.

"We're going into a hostile environment," said Heyward. "We respect the Dawg Pound. We understand what those fans and that team are capable of.

"It's like those big rivalries in college football. It doesn't matter what the record is. You're going to get their best shot, and you have to respect that. We're looking forward to going up there."

Heyward is hoping they are greeted by Terrible Towels on Thursday night, something that has overwhelming happened this season for the team on the road.

"I would love it," said Heyward. "It's not that far of a drive. I'm not saying I'm paying for tickets, but I would love to see a lot of Steeler Nation there in Cleveland.

"Fans are very passionate about their AFC North teams. But I think it's always fun when you see our team working towards a win and you see those Terrible Towels in enemy territory."

Get some sleep: Patrick Queen sat at his locker in the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex and just smiled as he said what likely everyone one of his teammates are thinking right about now.

"I think I need more sleep," said Queen.

Not that he isn't trying to get some extra Z's this week. The problem is, there just isn't enough time.

Normally on a Tuesday Queen and his teammates would be off, enjoying some down time as they recover from the previous game.

But not this week. Tuesday is a combination of multiple days for the players, trying to fit everything into a small window of preparation time for Thursday night's game against the Cleveland Browns.

"I think that's the big thing. More sleep," said Queen. "I think that's the only thing that could help. I think no matter what, you're going to be sore, you're going to be hurting and you're going to be fatigued body-wise and mentally.

"This game is going to come down to whoever is more physical. Whoever is more mentally tough. And finally, whoever makes the least amount of mistakes."

Queen admits that it's tough having two AFC North games, the Ravens and Browns, back-to-back on a short week, but in the end, they have to go out and do their job.

"I just go out there and play the game," said Queen. "The little thing everybody always says is nobody cares, work harder. So honestly, they feel the same way we feel right now.

"So, it's whoever has the stronger mindset and whoever makes the least mistakes is going to win the game."

The Browns offense likes to be relentless against the defense, trying to pound the ball down their throats. It's not much different from the way the Ravens play, with physicality at the top of the list.

"It is tough with a team like Cleveland that likes ground and pound," said Queen. "You've got big, physical guys over there. Guys who run hard. It makes it a tough matchup, but we're the team for that."

Flying around: The Steelers secondary will be tested on Thursday night against Browns quarterback Jameis Winston, a veteran who can be dangerous.

Multiple players referred to Winston as a 'gunslinger,' and they aren't wrong.

"They've got a gunslinger in Winston who's going to throw that ball," said cornerback Joey Porter Jr. "So, we just got to be prepared from the secondary just to make plays and fly around.

"He's a good quarterback that's going to give his wide receivers opportunities to make plays. The back seven has to stand up and make plays when it comes to us."

Fellow cornerback Donte Jackson agrees that Winston is dangerous with the ball in his hand, and they have to be at the top of their game on Thursday night.

"We just have to go out and execute," said Jackson. "I have a lot of respect for Jameis and what he has done over his career. He's a great player.

"It's a division game. So that's what we expect. We know what type of challenge Jameis can pose if you're not on your P's and Q's, you're not detailed, you're not executing."

So nice, you can watch it twice: The Steelers 18-16 win over the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday was selected as one of the Week 11 Games of the Week.

As a result, fans can watch a re-airing of the game on NFL Network on Wednesday, November 20 at 8:00 p.m. ET, and Thursday, November 21 at 2:00 p.m. ET.

Bringing you the action: For fans who don't want to miss any of the action, NFL+ is here, which means you can now watch the Steelers live and on the go! Watch live local and primetime regular season games on mobile, plus NFL RedZone, NFL Network, live audio and more - all in one place.

**Sign up today**.