Steelers-Browns Thursday Night Showdown Follows Porter Trade

Key points

• Steelers and Browns are both 2-1, making the Thursday night game crucial for the AFC North lead.
• Joey Porter Jr. was traded to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2027 sixth-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick.
• The Browns have won nine straight Thursday night home games; the Steelers have never won a divisional road game on Thursday night since 1970.
• Aaron Rodgers has a 148.4 passer rating in the fourth quarter, while Deshaun Watson has the highest fourth-quarter QB rating in the NFL.
• The Browns’ defense has five sacks from the front seven and two from the secondary, aiming to disrupt Rodgers’ quick release.

Background

The trade of Joey Porter Jr. follows a months-long contract dispute, with the Steelers offering two contracts that Porter rejected. Porter claimed back pain on Wednesday, leading to his trade to Dallas. The Cowboys are not planning to give him a new contract immediately, and there is a chance he could play Sunday against the Texans. The Steelers’ decision to trade him was seen as a way to avoid a legal battle over the legitimacy of his injury claim.

How outlets are covering it

CBS Sports analysts are split on the game, with four favoring the Steelers and two favoring the Browns. Jared Dubin predicts a 20-14 Steelers win, while John Breech predicts a 19-16 Browns win. The Browns’ perspective, as reported by the Cleveland Browns, focuses on disrupting Rodgers’ quick release and utilizing the run game to open up passing opportunities. The Steelers’ perspective, as reported by CBS Sports, emphasizes their defense’s ability to force turnovers and limit the Browns’ low scoring output. The trade grades from CBS Sports give the Cowboys a C and the Steelers a B-, with the Cowboys criticized for the financial risk and the Steelers for not handling the situation with more urgency.

Why it matters

The outcome of this game could determine the early lead in the AFC North, with the winner heading into Week 5 as a contender for the division title. The trade of Joey Porter Jr. also has implications for the Cowboys’ defense and the Steelers’ future, as the Steelers will need to find a replacement for Porter’s absence. The game also highlights the importance of fourth-quarter performance, with both teams having strong fourth-quarter QB ratings.

What to watch

The Steelers and Browns will face each other again in Week 8, with the Steelers hosting the Browns. The Cowboys are expected to play Porter on Sunday against the Texans, and the Steelers will need to find a replacement for Porter’s absence. The Browns will also face the Jets in Week 5, and the Steelers will face the Colts in Week 5.