The Browns will close out their home slate of games in Week 17 when they host the Steelers at Huntington Bank Field. This is the second matchup of the season between the division rivals, after playing in Pittsburgh in Week 6.

"A division game, so they know us well, we know them well," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "There's a lot of new players on both sides of the field, for them and for us. So, you do have to go to school on this team, realizing that there's a lot of new players, as there always is, as the season wears on. A lot of the schemes remain the same, there's wrinkles, and they're evolving as the season goes on, we're evolving as the season goes on. But we're excited about that opportunity, in front of our fans, in a division game down there on Sunday."

Here are three burning questions ahead of Week 17.

How will the Browns pressure QB Aaron Rodgers?

For the second time this season, the Browns' defense will look to apply pressure on QB Aaron Rodgers. In the first meeting in Week 6, Rodgers completed 21 of 35 passing attempts for 235 yards and two touchdowns. He also did not throw an interception or take a sack.

In that first meeting, the Browns also had to combat Rodgers' ability to get the ball out quickly to his receivers and move the ball downfield while avoiding pressure. That quickness will play an important role in Week 17. Rodgers ranks second among quarterbacks in time to throw at 2.63 seconds, according to Next Gen Stats. This season Rodgers has completed 275 of 412 passing attempts for 2,860 passing yards and 23 touchdowns. He has thrown seven interceptions and been sacked 25 times through 14 games played.

"I think, in general, our combination of rush and coverage just need to work together to be able to go," defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said. "There were a lot of really good rushes in the first game, and we got balls out quickly and got off the field on third down. Wasn't necessarily a sack, but it still had the desired effect of what we're trying to do. So, it works both ways – if we can cover a little bit longer, we can disguise our coverages, we can take his quick answers away and things like that, and maybe we can make him hold the ball a little bit longer and buy time for our pass rush to get home."

How will the Browns utilize the pass game?

The Browns have an opportunity to generate their offense through the pass game in Week 17, as the Steelers give up an average of 249.3 passing yards per game, the third most in the league.

This season, Cleveland is averaging 169.5 passing yards per game, ranked 30th in the league. However, in QB Shedeur Sanders' five starts, the Browns have averaged 189.6 passing yards per game. If Sanders can connect with his pass catchers —in either short-yardage gains or deep completions — they can move the ball down the field and into scoring position.

For offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, their ability to protect will allow Sanders and the Browns to establish a rhythm in the pass game.

"You look at this team, who they've been over the past however many years, it starts for them up front," Rees said. "So, it needs to start with us up front. Our ability to protect the passer is going to be critical. And that's the quarterback, that's the tight ends, that's the receivers getting open, that's the backs in protection and obviously the O-line. But protection against this group is everybody. It's getting open on time. It's playing on time. It's everybody that's part of the core being in protection. So that will allow us to have a chance in the passing game."

How will the Browns contain Kenneth Gainwell and Jaylen Warren?

The Browns' run defense has continued to see some struggles in recent weeks, as they now rank 14^th in the league in fewest rushing yards allowed per game at 113.7.

Heading into Week 17, the Steelers average just 101.7 rushing yards per game, ranked 26^th in the league, but have threats in their rushing attack that the Browns have to account for in their running back duo of Kenneth Gainwell and Jaylen Warren. They are Pittsburgh's leading rushers, as Warren has 185 carries for 828 rushing yards and six touchdowns this season, while Gainwell has 102 carries for 501 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

Yet, the pair also play a role in the Steelers' pass game, particularly in their ability to gain yards after the catch. Gainwell has 62 receptions this season and leads Pittsburgh with 441 yards after the catch. Warren is third in yards after the catch totaling 373 on the season with 35 receptions.

"One of the things Pittsburgh (Steelers) does with Aaron Rodgers is they throw a lot of short RPOs, quick passes, little option routes to the running back, which are high percentage plays that are sort of an extension of the running game," Schwartz said. "And both of those guys are really good run after catch. A lot of short throws, a lot of quick throws and run after the catch, and both Warren and Gainwell give those guys…a little bit of a different style. Gainwell's more of a jump cut, glider kind of a guy, and Warren is just compact and vertical. […] They'll use both of them, so we got to know which guy is out there, and then also just really work hard for tackling and allowing no run after contact, but also no run after the catch."