CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Browns had another crazy week of COVID-19 and only trained in person twice in their unmissable Sunday game against the Steelers, but are determined to weather the longest 18-year playoff drought at FirstEnergy Stadium.
“We are ready,” said running back Nick Chubb, who lost the 38-7 defeat to Steelers on 18 October. “This is what we have played for our whole life – moments like this. I’m sure the guys are excited and excited about it. I feel that no one is under pressure and trying to escape from it. I feel that everyone is ready to go there, show what we can do and win this game ”.
Defensive side Myles Garrett, the game captain, will give a motivational speech to the team before the game starts.
“If you’ve heard the phrase ‘pressure breaks the pipes’, you’ve heard the phrase ‘pressure and adding a little heat creates diamonds,’ ” he said. “You have to choose the path you are going to take and what attitude you will have towards the situation. If you go around thinking that each move is your last and you go there and put everything at risk, you have a good chance of making those big moves that will allow us to be well at the end of the day – hopefully, with some diamonds in it. “
Garrett, who will face his opponent in 2019, Mason Rudolph, and will be able to strengthen his candidacy for NFL Defensive Player of the Year, knows how much that means for Browns fans, even though only 12,000 can watch the game.
“They will be excited,” he said. “It’s like a playoff game for us, knowing that if we lose we will go home, and if we win, we will continue. This is just as important as any playoff game, so this is how they will treat it and this is how we will treat it.
“We don’t care who we are up against and we know that they are going to give some guys a rest, but if we beat them, these guys will be back soon. We have some guys and they have some guys. We just have to get off the right side this time and prepare for what they have for us next week. “
In addition to Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers are giving rest to Pro Bowl defenders, TJ Watt and Cam Heyward, and the Maurkice Pouncey center. They put cornerback Joe Haden and tight end Eric Ebron on the reserve list for COVID-19 on Saturday. The Browns have five players of their own in the COVID-19 reserve at Denzel Ward, BJ Goodson, Andrew Sendejo, Malcolm Smith and Harrison Bryant.
They also have three technical assistants from outside because of virus protocols, including receiver coach and passing game coordinator Chad O’Shea, offensive line coach Bill Callahan and assistant line coach Scott Peters.
But the Browns make no excuses and understand the enormity of the game.
“I feel the weight of that,” said receiver Jarvis Landry, who was left out of last week’s loss to the Jets as a close contact at high risk and who played just one playoff match. “This is why it is so important to me. One of the first things I said when I got here is that it is definitely important to me and definitely something I train for out of season. I definitely put it on my shoulders and back.
“Last week, for example, I did not participate in the NFL decision, but I feel responsible in a sense. Now, I have another opportunity to go back to the field with these guys. Again, all of our dreams and goals are aligned to be able to play these meaningful games, reach the playoffs and win championships here in Cleveland. I think the weight is not just on my shoulders, but on everyone’s shoulders. I think everyone really, really wants it. “
Steelers tight end Vance McDonald, who appeared on the NFL Network’s Good Morning Football program on Thursday, emphasized that 12-3 Steelers are playing to win despite the fact that they have won AFC North and are resting many starters .
“Obviously, everyone at this level is super competitive and our competitive nature will be revealed on Sunday, regardless of who is playing,” he said. “He’s still that opponent in the category. We like to sweep those division opponents, we like to sweep the North, so getting into that game is huge. It is momentum for the coming year. … You are putting that stamp, that domain mark for the 2020 season at AFC North, and all of those things add up when you start building together. ”
He also indicated that it is important for the Steelers to maintain their momentum as they head into the postseason. They have a chance to take second place if they win and the Dolphins win the Bills.
“It’s a critical game for us, again, ” he said. “Obviously, as a football fan, you want the best for the Browns, but they had the chance. And I’m sorry, but we have to go out and play our best football and we are going to win on Sunday. ”
Browns guard Joel Bitonio, who has never made it to the playoffs since he was drafted here in 2014, knows how much that would mean for the team and the crowd.
“That would be special,” he said. “You have been through a lot. You put your heart and soul and unfortunately your blood and sweat and tears to play for this team, and they gave you everything. They took care of my family and all that stuff. You bet a lot and win a lot with it, but the ultimate goal is to win Super Bowls. That’s what the guys play for. You want to win the championship and have a chance to compete for those titles.
“You see guys winning and friends winning who you talk to and they have a Super Bowl ring, and you want to be part of that conversation. Our next step is to win this game to have a chance. It doesn’t really give us anything but a chance, but I didn’t have a chance yet at the end of the year, so that would be something special for us. ”
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski spent the week juggling his squad, closing his facilities on three of the four days and then renewing his coaching staff. As always, he didn’t hesitate.
“We understand the task at hand, ” he said. “We understand that this is a game where you win and you are in it. We understand that. I think the guys are certainly excited about the opportunity, but we really try to ignore the noise as much as possible. “
Like Chubb, quarterback Baker Mayfield dreamed of a chance like this and a chance to redeem himself for losing to the Jets.
“These are the moments you ask for,” he said. “When you are little, you dream of playing the games when it comes to having the ball in your hands and wanting to take care of business and it all comes down to the moments when you have to win. ”
–
New Browns face masks for sale: This is where you can buy Cleveland Browns-themed facial covers for coronavirus protection for adults and youth, including a single mask ($ 14.99) and a pack of 3 ($ 24.99). All NFL proceeds donated to the CDC Foundation.
More Browns coverage
Ward tests positive for COVID-19, will lose the Steelers game and possibly the playoff game
NFLPA President JC Tretter calls for an end to NFL off-season practices
How the Browns can take advantage of the Steelers’ defense without TJ Watt: Film Review
Browns canceled training on Thursday due to 2 positive COVID-19 tests
Mayfield was in a ‘moody mood’ and fired ‘a perfect day of practice’, says Van Pelt
Will the Browns control both sides against Pittsburgh? I have to watch the tape
Browns vs. Steelers: forecast survey for week 17
Watch our Football Insider preview program to get ready for the game
LB Smith, TE Bryant test positive, but Landry, Higgins and 3 others activated
Steelers resting Watt, Heyward and Pouncey vs. Browns