Cleveland Browns will look to go into Pittsburgh and put the Steelers at 0-2 on the season, which could be important in the AFC North down the stretch run in a couple of months.

The Browns are the favorites on the road in Pittsburgh for the first time since 1989 and it’s not all that hard to believe with the beatdowns that the Steelers have handed them over the years.

With the chance to go 2-0 for the first time in 30 years, Cleveland can do something they haven’t done in a long time with a win. That is some really good motivation in itself.

If the Browns want to end that bad streak to start the season, there are three players specifically that they’ll need to keep in check.

EDGE T.J. Watt

Watt is a game wrecker and one of the very best to do it in the NFL. In Week 1, the All-Pro had three sacks and two forced fumbles to start his way to another terrific season. He’s going to be expected to take advantage of the Browns youth in Week 2.

With Jack Conklin’s injury, rookie Dawand Jones is the new starter at right tackle. When he filled in during Week 1 against the Bengals, he was excellent. Watt is a different-level player than Sam Hubbard, so the competition is going to take a jump.

Earlier in the week, Stefanski already hinted that they will do some things to help Jones out, that’s the obvious. What the rookie does have working to his advantage is his length. The long wing span combined with rare athleticism is his calling card and his best bet is to minimize Watt. There isn’t a soul that is expecting Jones to make Watt a non-factor, that isn’t happening. But if the rookie can stop Watt from being a game-wrecker, Cleveland is in good shape.

WR George Pickens

As a rookie, Pickens had over 800 yards receiving with quarterback play that isn’t good. It wouldn’t be a surprise to me if the second-year wideout broke the 1,000-yard threshold this season. With the Steelers’ top option Diontae Johnson out, Pickens becomes wide receiver No. 1.

Denzel Ward will match up with Pickens a bunch in this one and try to carry over a really solid game from Week 1, along with the rest of the secondary. Pickens’ ability to make contested catches is his strength, Kenny Pickett won’t shy away from throwing it up and letting his wideout make a play.

Pickens is the offensive weapon that I believe Cleveland needs to keep in check the most. If they can do that, good things will happen.

S Minkah Fitzpatrick

Deshaun Watson threw an interception in Week 2 and the Bengals didn’t have a talent like Minkah Fitzpatrick on the back end. The Browns are going to have to know where Fitzpatrick is at all times, or he is going to make them pay.

Last season, Fitzpatrick led the NFL with six interceptions. He finds the ball and takes advantage of any chance he gets to make a play. The three-time All-Pro combined with Watt to give the Steelers a game-changer on the front and back end.

Watson will have to be precise with anything deep in this game. With Cam Heyward out, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Browns tried to run the rock even more than they were already going to. 

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin has high praise for one part of the Browns defense

Mike Tomlin has good things to say about one part of the Browns’ defense in particular.

Featured image via Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports.