Browns Face Uphill Battle Against Steelers After Key Injury
The Cleveland Browns are navigating a meaningful setback as they prepare to face the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday. Star rookie running back Jerome Ford suffered a fractured right fibula and a dislocated ankle during last week’s 23-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills. This unfortunate injury will sideline Ford for an estimated four to six months, placing him on injured reserve.
Ford’s absence is a blow to the Browns’ offense.He quickly became a vital component, ranking second among all NFL rookies with 827 rushing yards. Remarkably, he was just two yards short of reaching 1,000 yards from scrimmage this season.
Running Back Outlook
With Ford out, the Browns will lean on their remaining running backs. Raheim Sanders and Trayveon Williams are expected to shoulder the majority of the workload. Dylan Sampson’s availability remains uncertain as he continues to recover from a hand injury, having missed the past two games.
Tough Matchup for Sanders
Shedeur Sanders, the browns’ quarterback, faces a particularly challenging opponent in the Steelers. Pittsburgh boasts an remarkable record against rookie quarterbacks, going 27-6 against them as 2007 under head coach Mike Tomlin – the best in the NFL during that period.
You might recall that the Steelers’ defense recently sacked Cleveland’s Dillon Gabriel six times in their Week 6 matchup, a 23-9 victory for Pittsburgh. This highlights the pressure Sanders will likely face on Sunday.
Steelers Aim for AFC North Crown
For the Steelers (9-6), a win against the Browns would secure their first AFC North title since 2020. They are highly motivated to clinch the division and solidify their playoff position.
This game carries significant weight for both teams, but the Browns must overcome a key injury and a historically tough opponent to keep their playoff hopes alive.You can expect a hard-fought contest with a lot on the line.
