Browns Preview 9/8/17: Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cleveland Browns

By Katelin Marshall, @KatelinKnowsCLE

Week one is finally here! The Cleveland Browns open up the season hosting the division rival Pittsburgh Steelers. The Browns haven't won a opening day game since 2004 with Jeff Garcia at quarterback. Yes it's been that long...But eventually the drought will end...but not this year.


Browns Offense vs Steelers Defense

The Browns offense is going to be put to the test. Led by rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer, the Browns play calling should be a bit conservative to start out. Isaiah Crowell will get the majority of the carries Sunday. He has yet to have a game where he is given 20 carries in his career, and Sunday would be a great time for him to get it. The Browns can't give up on the running game because it will set up the couple deep shots down field the Browns are obviously going to take.

The Browns still have questions at receiver, even though they acquired three wideouts in the past week. Corey Coleman, Kenny Britt, Ricardo Lewis, and even Duke Johnson will see time lined up at wide receiver. Coleman and Kizer seem to have little bit of chemistry, as we seen in the third preseason game. Kenny Britt needs to step up and be the security blanket for Kizer. Duke Johnson is another weapon Kizer will utilize whether its checking down or in the slot.







Browns Defense vs Steelers Offense

The Browns will be without number one overall pick Myles Garrett for a few weeks. The Browns will need to get pressure on Big Ben and contain Le'Veon Bell. Bell didn't participate in the preseason and just signed his contract earlier this week. Stopping the running game will be a tall task of the Browns defensive line and linebackers Jamie Collins and Christian Kirksey. Jamar Taylor and Jason McCourty will lineup the most against Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant. Brown is the best receiver in the league. Taylor and McCourty will have a handful Sunday especially if the pass rush struggles with Garrett out.




Five Guys to Watch

DeShone Kizer: This one is pretty obvious. The Browns are starting a rookie quarterback week one for the first time since Brandon Weeden in 2012. There is a lot of excitement with Kizer this could be the start to a very successful career for Kizer and Hue Jackson in Cleveland.

Jamie Collins: Collins will play almost every snap Sunday. Collins is a main staple on defense for the Browns. Whether is in base defense or in sub-packages. Collins is one of the few players who can cover Bell and the opposing tight end.

Sammie Coates: Coates probably won't see many snaps but when he's out there watch out for the deep ball down field. Coates is a deep threat and a speed demon. So when Kizer takes his shots deep its most likely going to be in Coates direction

Isaiah Crowell: Crowell should be the headline for the Browns offense. Crowell has been hyped up as a guy who is the "bell cow back" and should end the season with over 1000 yards in his contract year.

Corey Coleman: "Kizer to Coleman" is something that we all can get use to. Coleman is going to be the number one receiver going forward. Coleman and Coates will be matched up with former Browns cornerback Joe Haden, which will be exciting to watch as fans.




Weather Report:
Injury Report:

Betting Line: Pittsburgh -9

Final Prediction: 24-17

I don't think the Browns pull off the miracle. But I do think they cover. Kizer will play well and the overall the young Browns will be in the game all the way to the end. Go Browns!!!