Steelers’ playoff clinching hopes hinge on Myles Garrett’s attempt to make history against the team he hates the most
A preview of what to look for in a huge game for the Steelers.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have an AFC North title within striking distance. After an up-and-down year that featured lows like “fire Tomlin,” and highs like the recent win against the Lions, Pittsburgh is a win on Sunday away from hosting a playoff game.
Now, if the Ravens lose on Saturday, this game becomes moot as the Steelers will have already punched their ticket to the playoffs. But the Packers are playing with house money, the Ravens need a victory to keep their season alive, the Browns aim to spoil the Steelers’ season, and as Brandon Little of A to Z Sport Cleveland and I go over in this preview, Myles Garrett aims to set an NFL record.
Q1. Will Myles Garrett break the NFL sack record on Sunday?
“To get straight to the point, yes, I do believe that Garrett will get the sack record on Sunday. There are multiple layers to why I believe he will be able to do so against the Steelers. Whether he admits it or not, Garrett is going to want to get the record in 16 games played instead of 17 games. Michael Strahan didn’t have the extra game, so some would always look at the record with an asterisk.”
“Garrett was held to a half sack last week and sits at 22 sacks currently. When you combine that with Garrett not having a sack against the Steelers last time, he’s going to be highly motivated to grab one. Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers are going to have a good plan for the All-Pro, but he should bring the Steelers QB down at least once.” – Little
Q2.What should the Steelers’ defense expect from Shedeur Sanders?
“Sanders has had ups and downs with the Browns this season through five starts, he has an 8-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio to go along with 1,103 passing yards. Sanders has shown improvement with improving his biggest problem at times, which is holding the ball in the pocket, but that problem has still been there too.”
“Sanders is making big-time throws at points, but his desire to make those big throws costs him at times with turnovers, and that’s why he has five interceptions to one touchdown through the last two games. In the last three games, Sanders has crossed 25 yards rushing, including 49 last time out against the Buffalo Bills. Sanders isn’t fast by any means but he’s shifty and that’s been a problem for defenses recently who aren’t exactly expecting him to move.
It’s been a mixed bag so far with Sanders, and he needs to impress in the last two games if he wants to be the starter next year.” – Little
Q3. Give us your final score prediction?
“The Browns are 3-12 on the season and they have the same number of wins as they did last season when they finished the season with the second-worst record in the NFL. At this point in the season, the Browns are just trying to make it out without any more major injuries, and then they’ll move on to making potentially major changes. Cleveland wants their young players to continue to play well, but a loss to the Steelers would all but seal the Browns getting the No. 2 overall pick. As it stands right now and the Steelers are set to play their starters currently, I’ll take Pittsburgh winning, 26-17.” – Little
Pittsburgh Steelers News
Browns Pro Bowler has a message for Steelers fans hoping that Pittsburgh punches its ticket to the playoffs on Sunday
Browns corner Denzel Ward has a message for all the Steelers fans hoping to see a playoff birth come Sunday.
