Don’t be surprised if Pittsburgh’s defense allows Nick Chubb to break loose.

Cleveland Browns v Pittsburgh Steelers / Lauren Leigh Bacho/GettyImages

While most people think of Jameis Winston or Myles Garrett when you mention the Browns nowadays, there are plenty of quality players. They are a poor team that has found plenty of things working against them this year, but much like Pittsburgh found out in Week 12, this will be no easy victory. With the struggles Mike Tomlin has shown against inferior teams, they could have some issues.

Cleveland comes into this contest with a 3-9 record. Their most recent win was against the Steelers on Thursday Night Football. Things should be different this time with the black and gold having some extra rest over the Browns. Factor in that Cleveland beat Pittsburgh in their previous battle, and that should only motivate the home club to push their way to glory.

Nothing will be easy from week to week, so this is a game that the Steelers need to win. They have a brutal finish to their schedule, so winning games like these will help them towards the tail end of the campaign. If they fail to beat the Browns once again, then many around the NFL community will raise red flags once again.

It all starts with playing tough AFC North football and getting a gritty win.

Prediction: Steelers can’t stop Nick Chubb from making big runs

He might not have many eye-popping numbers against the Steelers throughout his career, but Nick Chubb can be a difference-maker. We know Winston is an aggressive quarterback who is prone to turnovers, but that style of game succeeds when he has a solid rushing attack. Chubb is still trying to find his game since returning to football, but Pittsburgh has to make sure they make things difficult.

It is going to be a big challenge for the defensive line of the black and gold this week. Cleveland has an offensive line that has some weak points, but for the most part, they are one of the better units in the NFL. If they can control the line of scrimmage for most of the game, then Chubb and company will have monumental impacts on the matchup in Week 14.

They might not give up a ton of yardage as a whole, but Pittsburgh’s defense has allowed plenty of chunk plays on the ground in recent weeks. They need to find pathways to shut those things down. Allowing a big run can cripple a defense and allow a Browns team to get points. With how the game shook out last time around, this is something the Steelers won’t be able to afford.

Chubb is still one of the better backs in the NFL, even though he is still working his way back to stardom. If the Steeler’s defense can shut down Cleveland’s rushing attack, then they should stop Winston in a variety of ways. If they lack a run game, then they can send different pressures at Winston that should result in a couple of turnovers for the Steelers.