Final Chance: Browns head to Pittsburgh in hopes of avoiding an 0-16 season

There has only been one team in NFL history that went winless in a season. That team was the 2008 Detroit Lions. Will the Cleveland Browns join the Detroit Lions as the only teams in NFL history to go 0-16?

The Browns will travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers. The Steelers are currently 12-3 on the season. In terms of the postseason, the Steelers need to win plus the New England Patriots must lose to the New York Jets to secure home-field advantage throughout the postseason. The Steelers are expected to rest some of their starters Sunday including quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and running back Le’Veon Bell. Third-year quarterback Landry Jones is expected to start.

 

3 Keys To A Browns Victory:

 

• Deshone Kizer – In his final game of the season, Kizer will look to give the Browns their first and only win of the season. Kizer has struggled throughout the season. It’s not all on Kizer but the Browns will be drafting another quarterback because of the play from Deshone Kizer. Kizer’s stats only confirm the reasons the Browns will draft another quarterback. In 14 games, Kizer has completed only 53.6% of his passes, throwing 9 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. Kizer’s 21 interceptions leads the league in turnovers.

• Execution – The Browns have not been a disciplined team this season. Big time penalties, missed tackles, failure to turn the ball over on the defense has been the downfall of the Cleveland Browns.  Whether it’s a lack of talent, a lack of coaching, or just bad luck, the Browns have been on the wrong end all season long. If the Browns want any chance of defeating the Steelers Sunday, they must play to near perfection.

• Play to your strengths – The Browns have been able to stop the run this season. This is probably their biggest strength as a team. With no Le’Veon Bell for the Steelers, the Browns should be able to contain the running game. Offensively, the Browns best chance to move the ball consistently is the running game. This may be a game where we see more attempts from running backs Duke Johnson Jr. and Isaiah Crowell. Yet again, I’ve said this many other times as well and have been proven wrong. But if the Browns run the ball consistently, it is their best chance to upset the Steelers.

 

INJURY REPORT….

CLEVELAND BROWNS – DB Briean Boddy-Calhoun (Knee/QUESTIONABLE), RB Matt Dayes (Knee/QUESTIONABLE), LB Josh Keyes (Wrist/QUESTIONABLE), DB Derron Smith (Hip/QUESTIONABLE), FB Danny Vitale (Groin/OUT)

PITTSBURGH STEELERS – WR Antonio Brown (Hamstring/OUT), C Maurkice Pouncey (Hip/QUESTIONABLE)

 

Kickoff Is at 1 pm CBS. The Steelers are -6.0 favorites at home.