Cleveland Browns

Steelers-Browns Capsule

Published Sep. 6, 2018 2:20 p.m. ET

PITTSBURGH (0-0) at CLEVELAND (0-0)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

OPENING LINE — Steelers by 6 ½

RECORD VS. SPREAD — Pittsburgh 7-10, Cleveland 4-12

SERIES RECORD — Steelers lead 73-58

LAST MEETING — Steelers beat Browns 28-24, Dec. 31, 2017

AP PRO32 RANKING — Steelers No. 5, Browns No. 31

STEELERS OFFENSE - OVERALL (3), RUSH (20), PASS (3).

STEELERS DEFENSE - OVERALL (5), RUSH (10), PASS (5).

BROWNS OFFENSE - OVERALL (24), RUSH (18), PASS (22).

BROWNS DEFENSE - OVERALL (14), RUSH (7), PASS (19).

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — One-sided rivalry for two decades, Steelers are 33-6 against Browns since 1999. ... Steelers without Pro Bowl RB Le'Veon Bell, who has been in extended contract holdout with team that has turned nasty. ... Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger is 21-2 as starter against Browns. ... Roethlisberger surpassed 50,000 career yards passing last season, one of only eight NFL QBs to reach plateau. ... Ohio native Roethlisberger is 24-4 in games played in home state. ... Steelers went 7-1 on road last season. ... Steelers All-Pro WR Antonio Brown led all receivers with 1,533 yards receiving in 2017. Brown burned Browns in last season's opener — 11 catches, 182 yards — and made critical 38-yard reception in fourth quarter to seal Pittsburgh's 21-18 win. ... Brown's 582 catches and 7,848 yards are most in five-year span in league history. ... Steelers DT Cameron Heyward had team-best 12 sacks in 2017. ... Steelers will face former offensive coordinator Todd Haley, whose contract was not renewed after six seasons. ... Browns coming off just second 0-16 season for any NFL team. ... Cleveland's roster has been overhauled, with 31 new players from last season. ... Browns have lost 13 straight openers and are 1-18 in Week 1 since returning as expansion team. Lone win came in 2004. ... QB Tyrod Taylor will be 29th different starter for Cleveland since '99. Taylor expected to start while Browns develop top overall pick Baker Mayfield, who had strong training camp. ... Browns DE Myles Garrett missed last season's opener vs. Steelers with ankle sprain. He's vowed to "chop down" Roethlisberger since being drafted first overall in 2017. ... Browns starting RT Chris Hubbard was Steeler from 2013-17. ... Browns WR Josh Gordon set to play in first season opener since 2013, when he led league with 1,646 yards receiving. Gordon, who says he's as "locked in" as at any point in career, has been suspended for 54 of past 64 games. ... Gordon missed training camp to get counseling and won't start, but expected to have major role. ... Browns coach Hue Jackson needs strong start after going 1-31 past two seasons. Fantasy Tip: Until Gordon gets up and running, Browns WR Jarvis Landry will likely be feature target for Taylor. Landry led league with 112 catches last season and his 400 in first four years are most by player to start career.