Browns-Steelers Preview
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| SCOUTING REPORT |
Browns must protect Anderson, stop the runThese teams opened the season against one another and Pittsburgh completely dominated the Browns in Cleveland, winning 34-7 and controlling every facet of the game, and the Steelers have owned this series since the Browns have returned to the NFL. Cleveland pulled out an overtime win against Seattle last week, though, never abandoning the running game and overcoming a big early deficit to win on the strength of a Phil Dawson field goal. The Steelers are on a short week after abusing the Ravens on Monday night. Pittsburgh has done a great job of controlling time of possession this season while Cleveland has really struggled in that department, so this will be a great barometer to measure how far the 5-3 Browns have come since opening day. |
· Full Scouting Report
|
| Matchup |
| | W-L | PF | PA | HOME | ROAD | DIV | CONF |
| CLE | 10-6 | 402 | 382 | 7-1 | 3-5 | 3-3 | 7-5 |
| PIT | 10-6 | 393 | 269 | 7-1 | 3-5 | 5-1 | 7-5 |
| · Complete Standings |
| | Pittsburgh Receiving | | | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | | Ward | 63 | 798 | 12.7 | 5 | | Holmes | 50 | 764 | 15.3 | 1 |
|
| TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS |
| TEAM OFFENSE | TEAM | PER GAME AVERAGE |
| Total Yards | CLE | 351.0 |
| PIT | 327.0 |
| Yards Passing | CLE | 232.9 |
| PIT | 191.9 |
| Yards Rushing | CLE | 118.4 |
| PIT | 135.5 |
| TEAM DEFENSE | TEAM | PER GAME AVERAGE |
| Yards Allowed | CLE | 359.6 |
| PIT | 266.4 |
| Pass Yds Allowed | CLE | 230.1 |
| PIT | 176.5 |
| Rush Yds Allowed | CLE | 129.5 |
| PIT | 89.9 |
| HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001) |
| Pittsburgh leads 14-1 |
| Sep 9, 2007 | CLE 7, @PIT 34 |
| Dec 7, 2006 | CLE 7, PIT 27 |
| Nov 19, 2006 | CLE 20, @PIT 24 |
| Dec 24, 2005 | CLE 0, @PIT 41 |
| Nov 13, 2005 | CLE 21, PIT 34 |
| Nov 14, 2004 | CLE 10, @PIT 24 |
| Oct 10, 2004 | CLE 23, PIT 34 |
| Nov 23, 2003 | CLE 6, @PIT 13 |
| Oct 5, 2003 | CLE 33, PIT 13 |
| Jan 5, 2003 | CLE 33, PIT 36 |
| Nov 3, 2002 | CLE 20, @PIT 23 |
| Sep 29, 2002 | CLE 13, PIT 16 |
| Jan 6, 2002 | CLE 7, PIT 28 |
| Nov 11, 2001 | CLE 12, @PIT 15 |
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PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Pittsburgh Steelers fullback Dan Kreider was held out of Sunday's game against Cleveland because of a concussion, while safety Ryan Clark missed his third consecutive start because of an injured spleen.
Clark, replaced by Anthony Smith, hasn't played since developing the spleen problem while playing in Denver's high altitude on Oct. 21. Kreider hurt an ankle Oct. 28 against Cincinnati, then developed the concussion during Monday night's game against Baltimore.
Earlier in the week, coach Mike Tomlin said Kreider "should be fine."
The Steelers also held out wide receiver Willie Reid, running back Gary Russell, offensive lineman Darnell Stapleton, offensive tackle Trai Essex and tight end Jerame Tuman.
The Browns deactivated cornerback Ricardo Colclough, the former Steelers second-round draft pick that Cleveland recently signed. Also held out were starting linebacker D'Qwell Jackson, right guard Seth McKinney, defensive back Kenny Wright, running back Jerome Harrison, wide receiver Travis Wilson and defensive lineman Louis Leonard.
Jackson was listed as doubtful on the final pre-game injury report Friday.
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