Aaron Rodgers intends to maintain his usual sleep schedule on Saturday night, despite the Pittsburgh Steelers having the chance to clinch the AFC North title with a favorable outcome for his former team, the Green Bay Packers. If the Packers defeat the Baltimore Ravens, the Steelers’ upcoming matchup against the Cleveland Browns becomes a mere formality since it would ensure Pittsburgh’s first division title since 2020.
Rodgers stated that his focus remains strictly on preparing for the game, expressing excitement about the matchup regardless of the Steelers’ potential playoff positioning. Having won their last three games, the Steelers boast a strong record of 9-6 and are likely to secure the fourth seed in the AFC playoffs. However, they must first defeat the Browns and hope for losses from Jacksonville and Houston to improve their seeding.
Should Pittsburgh successfully claim the AFC North title, it would mark Rodgers’ ninth division championship as a starter, tying him with Joe Montana for the third most in NFL history—behind Tom Brady’s 19 and Peyton Manning’s 12.
The Browns, meanwhile, have their own motivation with star pass rusher Myles Garrett aiming for the single-season NFL sack record. Currently, with 22 sacks, Garrett needs just one more to surpass the records set by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt. Although Garrett has faced Rodgers twice without recording a sack, achieving this milestone by sacking the legendary quarterback would hold great significance for him.
Rodgers is known for his quick release and has been pressured on only 21.9% of his dropbacks, a league-low. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski hinted at the challenge of facing a player of Rodgers’ caliber, stating he often seems one step ahead of the defenses he encounters.
In a twist, the Steelers will not have their top wide receiver DK Metcalf for the remainder of the season due to a suspension following an incident with a fan. Despite his absence, the Steelers’ offense remains versatile, with veteran players like Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling stepping up. This season, the team has seen eleven players score touchdowns, showcasing a well-distributed offensive approach.
On the other side, the Browns’ rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders faces challenges of his own, especially after running back Quinshon Judkins suffered a season-ending injury. Tight end Harold Fannin, a key contributor who leads NFL rookies in receptions, may also miss the game due to a groin injury.
Pittsburgh’s backfield duo of Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell is recognized as one of the top partnerships in the league, having combined for over 2,000 scrimmage yards and 15 touchdowns. Their collaborative dynamic reflects the team’s emphasis on a holistic offensive strategy, with contributions from multiple players across different positions.
The highly anticipated Steelers vs. Browns clash is set to kick off at 1 p.m. from Huntington Bank Field, with local fans able to catch the action on KDKA. As the teams prepare, both sides look to rally their strengths and strategies, highlighting the excitement that the final matchups of the season bring.