The Browns will face their third AFC North opponent in the first six weeks of the season when they travel to Pittsburgh for the Oct. 12 matchup. It will be the first of two matchups this season against the Steelers.
"Excited about these opportunities, these rivalry games and going against division opponents," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "Obviously, they're atop the division right now, playing really good football. I think they're plus-7 turnover margin, doing a nice job taking it away. They're playing very well on the offensive side, and they always play great on special teams. So, really good players, coaches that I have a ton of respect for. So, its division football, it's AFC North, we know what to expect."
As the Browns prepare for their Week 6 matchup, here are three burning questions for Sunday's game against the Steelers.
How does QB Dillon Gabriel handle the pressure of the Steelers' defense?
QB Dillon Gabriel will face his first divisional opponent on the road when the Browns face the Steelers in Week 6.
Through the first four games of the season, the Steelers have given up 382.5 total yards per game, the fifth most in the league. They also give up the third-most passing yards per game at 260.5 yards. However, the Steelers only give up an average of 80 rushing yards per game, the second-best in the league, and they have 10 takeaways this season – including five interceptions and five fumbles.
Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees said the challenges of Pittsburgh's defense starts with their defensive front.
"They have an excellent front across the board, usually got five covers," Rees said. "It's a lot of one-on-one matchups. Linebackers are aggressive, retooled secondary that has a lot of talent. So, certainly you might know where they line up, but that doesn't mean it's an easy task. They have really good players, and do a nice job of playing hard, physical and creating pressure on the quarterback. They do a nice job with batted balls and creating, again, the ability to push the pocket inside with who they've got."
Rees said the Steelers are successful in creating takeaways because of their ability to affect the quarterback through how they can bat balls down, push the pocket and flush a quarterback into making a poor decision.
"They do a great job of affecting the quarterback, making the quarterback feel unsettled," Rees said. "We got to – our whole group – protect the quarterback, and part of that's playing on time, part of it is doing a good job with the edge players and the pushing side."
As Gabriel makes his second start of the season, protecting the football and making smart reads will be points of emphasis. In his first NFL start in Week 5, Gabriel completed 19 of 33 passing attempts for 190 yards and two touchdowns and did not throw an interception.
"For Dillon, I think operationally we look to the biggest areas to improve," Rees said. "I mean, after one start, there's going to be things that he's more comfortable doing, there's going to be rhythm there that he can get on the same page with the offensive line and the rest of the skill players, and you just look to build the continuity with the rest of the group. I think every time he steps out there with those guys, you'll see that continue to improve, whether it's communication or physical, just connecting on things. I think that continuity will continue to improve."
Browse photos of the Cleveland Browns practicing at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus as they prepare for their Week 6 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Cornerback Tyson Campbell (7) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99) and Defensive lineman Adin Huntington (98) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Cornerback Tyson Campbell (7) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Offensive guard Zak Zinter (70) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) and Cornerback Dom Jones (37) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (83) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Linebacker Jerome Baker (17) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Offensive tackle KT Leveston (72) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Cornerback Dee Williams (29) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Cornerback Dee Williams (29) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Tight Ends Coach Christian Jones during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Tight end Sal Cannella (87) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) and Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Offensive tackle Thayer Munford Jr. (64) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Cornerbacks Coach Brandon Lynch during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Tight end Blake Whiteheart (86) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Tight end Sal Cannella (87) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Cornerback Dee Williams (29) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Running back Ahmani Marshall (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Bill Willis Coaching Fellow Michael Bearden during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Quarterback Bailey Zappe (11) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Wide receiver Luke Floriea (81) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Offensive Line Coach Mike Bloomgren during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Defensive Assistant Zach Dunn during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Wide receiver Gage Larvadain (84) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) and Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Offensive guard LaDarius Henderson (67) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Safeties Coach Ephraim Banda during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Cornerback Tyson Campbell (7) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
A helmet during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Linebacker Jerome Baker (17) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
A helmet during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Running Backs Coach Duce Staley during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Tight end Blake Whiteheart (86) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
How do the Browns utilize their tight ends in the pass game?
As the Browns continue their efforts to build consistency of their receiving corps in the pass game, they can utilize their tight ends to their advantage. TE Harold Fannin Jr. and TE David Njoku are the top two pass catchers for the Browns through the first five games, with Fannin leading the team with 21 receptions and Njoku with 20. They have each scored a touchdown – both coming in Week 5 against the Vikings – and are in the top three targets for the Browns.
Rees explained that Njoku's increased production in Week 5 came from the matchup against the Vikings and the personnel the Browns were in offensively.
With the Steelers allowing an average of 260.5 passing yards per game – the third most in the league – the Browns can use the pass game to move the ball downfield and position to score. Having their tight ends as threats in the pass game, as well as in blocking, provides opportunities for Gabriel to find and connect with his open pass catchers.
How do the Browns apply pressure to QB Aaron Rodgers?
The Browns will face another veteran quarterback in Aaron Rodgers, who has helped lead the Steelers to their 3-1 record and sit at the top of the division. This season, Rodgers has completed 74 of 108 passing attempts for 786 passing yards and eight touchdowns. He has thrown three interceptions and been sacked nine times for a loss of 64 yards.
Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said Rodgers is throwing accurate passes to his pass catchers – setting them up to run after the catch – and finding ways to extend plays.
"He's one of the great quarterbacks in the history of the NFL," Schwartz said. "Up front we can't put stress on our secondary, just giving him free shots, free shots with deep passes by being offsides. So that's been a big point of emphasis for what he does. And he's got great arm talent, but it doesn't always look the way that other people's – there's classic throwers and things like that. He's just got such a loose arm, he can throw from six million different angles, he's extremely accurate. He's been an outstanding quarterback, been a Super Bowl winner. So, we certainly have a lot of respect for him, and we're going to play our best. He's putting the ball in positions that his guys can make plays."
Rodgers also possess the ability to get the ball out of his hands quickly. Schwartz said as a defense, they must cover their short zones and man-to-man in order to close windows and prolong his ability to throw the ball to a receiver.
However, this season, the Browns have found success in their ability to apply pressure to opposing quarterbacks, totaling 14 sacks and 27 quarterback hits. They are tied for fourth in the league for pass defense, allowing an average of 172.2 yards per game. They also have not allowed a 300-yard passer in 33 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the NFL, including their first five games this season.
"We're going to have to cover the whole field, and we're going to have to play really well, we're going to have to be able to pressure up front," Schwartz said. "We're going to have to cover it in the back end. It's going to take our best effort."
