Week 1: Cleveland Browns.

[Edman]

Steelers Season is back.

The Steelers begin their 2018 quest for #7 in a week one opener against the Fecal Matter in Cleveland. Ben only played one preseason game, Brown hasn't played at all, and Bell is doing his annual offseason disappearance. So, all signs are pointing to rust and that trademark Tomlin unpreparedness coming out. This is also Cleveland's Super Bowl. They've been talking a ton of crap about this game on hard knocks.

I don't expect the Offense to be in top form and it just may be another slog like last year. If there is any chance at a loss to the Browns, it may be this one. Ugly win or ugly loss. Knowing the mental makeup of this team and coaching, they go into this thinking they can just show up and they'll win.

17-13 Steelers.

[Mojouw]

Cleveland's defense will be pretty good this year. Offense should be improved with Taylor at QB and Haley stopping Hue from doing Hue Jackson things.

I think the Steelers eek out an ugly win.

[HollywoodSteel]

Steelers Season is back.

The Steelers begin their 2018 quest for #7 in a week one opener against the Fecal Matter in Cleveland. Ben only played one preseason game, Brown hasn't played at all, and Bell is doing his annual offseason disappearance. So, all signs are pointing to rust and that trademark Tomlin unpreparedness coming out. This is also Cleveland's Super Bowl. They've been talking a ton of crap about this game on hard knocks.

I don't expect the Offense to be in top form and it just may be another slog like last year. If there is any chance at a loss to the Browns, it may be this one.

17-13 Steelers.

If we hold the Browns to 13 points I am VERY confident we’ll win.

I don’t disagree with anything you said about rust and preparedness. It mostly depends on if Brown is now able to PRACTICE rather than just play.

If Brown and Ben have a week practicing together I think we win the game.

The main things we can NOT do in the game is let their defense or special teams score (I’m not counting the FG unit)

We also can not turn the ball over too many times, ESPECIALLY on our side of the field.

I’m saying that in a 60 minute game our offense will outscore their offense, even with the rust and improved Cleveland defense.

Their defense will make some impressive stops, and probably a couple of turn overs that we can hopefully overcome. But our offense can’t be held to less points than the Browns’ offense will muster.

If Josh Gordon can’t play, or if he plays hurt so much the better.

[polamalubeast]

I expect steelers to do much better on offense than last year in week 1, it can not be worse.

The Browns could surprise this year too, especially since their QB of last year has cost them a lot of close game.

It should be a good game

[86WARD]

Steelers defense is one GIANT question mark for me. It could be tested by Taylor's legs, Hyde's run game and the air attack of Gordon and Landry. Won't be a walk in the park...if the defense isn't prepared, they could be in for a long day...

[polamalubeast]

Steelers defense is one GIANT question mark for me. It could be tested by Taylor's legs, Hyde's run game and the air attack of Gordon and Landry. Won't be a walk in the park...if the defense isn't prepared, they could be in for a long day...

Even if they are preparing, it will not be easy

[Dwinsgames]

as drunkenhillbilly used to say on the original steelers MB ....

we'll crush em they suck ..........

[AtlantaDan]

Steelers open as 5-5&1/2 point favorites - over/under 46&1/2

http://www.vegasinsider.com/nfl/odds/las-vegas/

[JimHarbaugh'ssoakedtissue]

I'll take the Steelers and over for $30 Alex.
Change my mind and will Take the Steelers and under for $30 Alex. I forgot offenses don't start gelling to about week 3 or 4. 27-13 Steelers.

[Neversatisfied]

This is the most nervous/unsure I've been about a Steelers-Browns matchup I can recall. The offense will take time to jell and who knows what to expect from Lev Bell but my real concern is the defense. I absolutely hate how the defense has morphed into a bunch of showboats and Honestly they haven't earned the right to be confident what so ever.

[st33lersguy]

I am not nervous about the browns, I am never nervous about the browns, I am only nervous about how the Steelers respond to playing the browns. I think with all the hype surrounding the browns, it will actually work to the Steelers advantage and they will play more up to Cleveland's hype. Also, I am not sold on the browns and wont be until they show they can actually win games

[DesertSteel]

Steelers Season is back.

The Steelers begin their 2018 quest for #7 in a week one opener against the Fecal Matter in Cleveland. Ben only played one preseason game, Brown hasn't played at all, and Bell is doing his annual offseason disappearance. So, all signs are pointing to rust and that trademark Tomlin unpreparedness coming out. This is also Cleveland's Super Bowl. They've been talking a ton of crap about this game on hard knocks.

I don't expect the Offense to be in top form and it just may be another slog like last year. If there is any chance at a loss to the Browns, it may be this one. Ugly win or ugly loss. Knowing the mental makeup of this team and coaching, they go into this thinking they can just show up and they'll win.

17-13 Steelers.

Yes... I expect Bell to completely suck. Ben will have to win it with his arm.

[Dwinsgames]

[Neversatisfied]

I am not nervous about the browns, I am never nervous about the browns, I am only nervous about how the Steelers respond to playing the browns. I think with all the hype surrounding the browns, it will actually work to the Steelers advantage and they will play more up to Cleveland's hype. Also, I am not sold on the browns and wont be until they show they can actually win games

I'm not sold on the Browns either but I'm certainly not sold on the Steelers porous defense and that is nerve wracking.

[Lady Steel]

[ALLD]

This game will set the tone for the first half of the season. Will the Steelers sleepwalk through the first 3 quarters and then try to steal a game in the 4th? They better come out swinging and put the Browns away early, but most likely they will keep them in the game until the final 30 seconds.

[Count Steeler]

Browns are going to come out with something to prove, especially Haley. He may even call a decent game.
Steelers are going to be, "ooh, first game of the season, we will be prepared when we need to be" attitude.

Don't like this one at all. Road game, rusty, underestimating opponent. This is the Brown's Super Bowl and if they had a better QB, they would be a lock. If I were a betting man, I would not touch this one at all.

Heart wants Steelers, but I am preparing for a disappointment.

[AtlantaDan]

Browns are going to come out with something to prove, especially Haley. He may even call a decent game.
Steelers are going to be, "ooh, first game of the season, we will be prepared when we need to be" attitude.

Don't like this one at all. Road game, rusty, underestimating opponent. This is the Brown's Super Bowl and if they had a better QB, they would be a lock. If I were a betting man, I would not touch this one at all.

Heart wants Steelers, but I am preparing for a disappointment.

Agreed - on defense I only trust the D-line. On offense I have no clue how Fitchiner will perform in calling his first real game (assuming Ben does not just take over), expect nothing from Bell if he even reports, and think AB went ballistic over Bouchette's tweet about him limping because the quad injury has lingered longer than the Steelers are willing to disclose.

Plus Myles Garrett is a force and presents the potential to bust up the season with one clear hit on Ben.

Hoping for the best but I have lower expectations for this season than at any time since 2013 - last season was the peak opportunity to win the Lombardi with this crew.

[Born2Steel]

This first game is not going to mean a lot as far as how this season will go. The second Browns game will be more of a measuring stick. The Browns should be good this year despite Hue. I think they will be better than the Bengals and Ravens in terms of they should finish 2nd in the division. I believe Mayfield will be an above average QB and they have some weapons in Cleveland. Depends on how long it takes Haley and Jackson to make that change at QB. Not disrespecting Taylor but if he had that 'IT' quality it would have surfaced by now. It's a long season, a marathon not a sprint, so need to take each game as 1/16 of the whole picture and not a whole picture by itself.

The Steelers are going to score points. It is in their nature and the makeup of this offense. The question is can the Browns defense step up, or can the Browns keep pace?

[polamalubeast]

Each offense should be motivated.Haley and Ben will want to score 40 points or more for obvious reasons.

If it ends with a score of 17-13 or something like that, I'll be very surprised.

[AtlantaDan]

Each offense should be motivated.Haley and Ben will want to score 40 points or more for obvious reasons.

If it ends with a score of 17-13 or something like that, I'll be very surprised.

Not looking for a lot of pregame hugs between Haley & Ben/Tomlin or Arians (who will be the CBS analyst ) and Tomlin

[polamalubeast]

Not looking for a lot of pregame hugs between Haley & Ben/Tomlin or Arians (who will be the CBS analyst ) and Tomlin

It could happen, but it's going to be like a fake!

[pczach]

Haley is in Cleveland. He knows the Steelers offense because it is his offense.

Haley will have surprises for the Steelers' defense, because they also know his offense and play against it every day.

The Browns hate the Steelers and will be jacked to knock off the big bully.

The Browns have added a lot more talent.

They are young, hungry, and looking to put a beatdown on a Pittsburgh team that may or may not have their starting RB.....and even if he does play....he may suck because he hasn't played a single down of real football.

The Cleveland Browns are going to bring their best.

The Browns feel that the Steelers are vulnerable without Shazier, and that there are a lot of new players and some position changes that can expose weaknesses.

The Browns are primed for victory.


Big Ben is in Ohio......and he hates Todd Haley.

Steelers win 34-17.

[Dwinsgames]

[AtlantaDan]

[Fire Goodell]

Browns look improved this year but we will still win, I'm confident. I actuality would feel more comfortable if Conner got more reps, he's actually put in a lot of work with the team and I'm expecting Bell to be rusty

[Steeldude]

This is Tomlin. The Steelers are capable of easily losing to any poor team. If the Steelers do lose it will most likely set the tone for the season. Tomlin isn't capable of adjusting. It cold very well be a very long season. The offense needs to have a consistent attack. An attack that they dictate each week. A schoolyard offense won't get it done.

[BlackAndGold]

This is a trap game. I'm expecting a win but it'll be ugly.

Ben has barely played this PS, when he did he made awful throws. Expect he'll still be rusty.
AB has played zero snaps during the PS. Albeit I expect him to be ready. Imo no one is more prepared than #84
If Bell returns he'll be dealing with a slow start. Hopefully Conner is ready, he should be.

[teegre]

Tomlin is 19-3 versus the Browns.

The three losses were...

2009: The Arians Abortion game
2012: The Charlie Batch “8 turnover” game
2014: The Browns were actually good (5-3)

SUMMATION:
Ermahgerd!!!... we’re doomed!!!

[43Hitman]

1 "W" down and only 18 more to go. I'm not worried about this game in the least bit, they'll eat check down Tyrod up