BLUE 1,026 Posted November 13, 2015 By TAYLOR BECHTOLD STATS Writer (AP) -- Confident that they'll still be able to score behind Landry Jones and DeAngelo Williams, the Pittsburgh Steelers have turned their focus to shoring up the defense. Although Cleveland Browns fans are starting to call for Johnny Manziel to start, coach Mike Pettine will stand behind Josh McCown if he's healthy enough to play. With Ben Roethlisberger likely to miss his fifth game, the Steelers hope to solidify their footing in the wild card hunt Sunday with their 12th straight home win over the Browns. Coach Mike Tomlin said the team would leave the door "slightly ajar" for Roethlisberger to play, while the three-time Pro Bowler is refusing to rule himself out after suffering a left foot injury in the fourth quarter of last Sunday's 38-35 victory over Oakland. As it stands, Pittsburgh (5-4) is preparing to start Jones as it attempts to tighten its hold on the AFC's second wild-card spot. Jones, who completed 4 of 6 passes for 79 yards and a touchdown against the Raiders, went 16 of 29 for 209 with one score and two interceptions in a 23-13 loss at Kansas City on Oct. 25 in his only other start. "We've got to rally around Landry," defensive end Cam Heyward said. "We expect there not to be a drop-off and we're praying for Ben to get back healthy." It will certainly help if Jones can find Antonio Brown, who set club marks with 17 catches for 284 yards against the Raiders. His 57-yard reception from Jones on the final drive set up Chris Boswell's field goal with two seconds remaining. The star receiver, second in the NFL in both receptions (69) and yards (1,002), has hauled in 32 catches for 564 yards and three scores in five career starts against the Browns. Now he's facing a secondary that will likely be missing Joe Haden and Donte Whitner due to concussions. The Steelers, however, would be wise to put an emphasis on the ground game. Williams totaled 204 yards and three touchdowns when Le'Veon Bell was suspended the first two weeks and had 170 yards and two scores with Bell out following knee surgery last weekend. The veteran running back should be able to find the holes in a Cleveland defense that is allowing a league-high 147.6 yards per game on the ground. "It's all about production," Williams said. "I go in and try not to let people out work me." The Steelers are tied for seventh in the league in sacks (22), rank eighth in the league in defensive scoring (20.2) and 12th against the run (101.7 yards allowed per game). However, they weren't happy after finishing without a sack while allowing 440 total yards - 139 on the ground - and letting Oakland rally from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit. "We've got to stay even and got to be consistent in this league," Heyward said. "If you're not, you're bound to get beat." In the most recent meeting with Cleveland (2-7), the Steelers had no answers defensively in a 31-10 road loss Oct. 12, 2014. Things have been much different in Pittsburgh, where the Browns haven't won since 2003 and have dropped 36 of their last 42 visits. McCown has averaged 308.0 passing yards over his last six games, but he's day to day with injured ribs. Pettine is facing pressure to turn things over to Manziel with his team out of the playoff chase, but insists he'll continue to start McCown if he's ready to go. McCown threw for the third straight practice Thursday, but was limited and Manziel took the majority of snaps with the team's starting offense and could make his second consecutive start. Afterward, a few of his teammates said McCown was doing all he could to get back on the field. "I thought he looked really good," said starting right guard John Greco. "The main thing is it was good to see him back in the huddle and taking snaps. When you're forced to miss games because of injuries, trust me, he's not sitting out because he wants to. "He would be in there with a missing arm. We've got to be smart, too. There's a lot of games left and we've got a bye coming up. So we just want him to be healthy." Manziel completed 15 of 33 passes for 168 yards and a touchdown while filling in for McCown in a 31-10 loss at Cincinnati on Nov. 5 that extended the team's losing streak to four games. He was 11 of 18 attempts for 128 yards in the first half but 4 of 15 for 40 in the last two quarters. Manziel is also still under review by the NFL, which is investigating whether he violated its personal conduct policy during a fight with girlfriend Colleen Crowley on Oct. 12. Source: Hosted.Stats.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted November 15, 2015 If McCown were playing, I may actually pick the Browns... He's played surprisingly well. Manziel has shown some rare flashes, but not enough nor consistently enough to win games. Steelers won't have Ben but DWill is a monster! Lots of old(er) RBs having some nice seasons. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted November 15, 2015 Manziel is gonna need to change his last name to Cena after this game, because HIS TIME IS NOW. 38 16 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted November 15, 2015 Browns declared QB Josh McCown, TE E.J. Bibbs, G Joel Bitonio, WR Dwayne Bowe, CB Justin Gilbert, CB Joe Haden and SS Donte Whitner inactive for Week 10 against the Steelers. McCown (ribs) practiced this week but couldn't get the green light. It's his second absence in a row. Johnny Manziel will start in McCown's place. Ibraheim Campbell (hamstring), Brian Hartline (concussion), Andrew Hawkins (concussion) and Jordan Poyer (shoulder) are all active for the Browns. Source: Mary Kat Cabot on Twitter Steelers declared QB Michael Vick, ILB Terence Garvin, OLB James Harrison, RB Isaiah Pead, TE Matt Spaeth, OT Byron Stingily and SS Shamarko Thomas inactive for Week 10 against the Browns. Notably, Ben Roethlisberger (foot) is active, though he isn't expected to start. Marcus Gilbert (toe), Darrius Heyward-Bey (hamstring), Will Johnson (back), Steve McLendon (elbow), Ryan Shazier (knee) and DeAngelo Williams (foot) will also be available for Pittsburgh. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FartWaffles 1,857 Posted November 15, 2015 http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000579715/article/landry-jones-sidelined-big-ben-enters-game-vs-browns Steelers QB Landry Jones carted to locker room Ben Roethlisberger's return to action has come sooner than expected. Still nursing a mid-foot sprain, the Steelers quarterback took the field for Pittsburgh's second drive in place of Landry Jones, who left Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns with an ankle injury. Carted off the field, Jones was ruled as questionable to return. Roethlisberger told the CBS broadcast team before the game that he felt "good" enough to play, but the master plan was to rest Big Ben on Sunday ahead of next week's bye. Instead, the veteran passer is back in action for a 5-4 Steelers team still very much alive for an AFC playoff berth. Since Michael Vick is inactive, tight end Heath Miller is the Steelers' emergency quarterback, if Roethlisberger is sidelined. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted November 15, 2015 Well, that is one way to get Ben back, ha. I heard he was going to be active and used as the back up but when you go into a game how much do you really expect your starter to get hurt? I guess if you're the Steelers you just kind of come to expect it these days. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FartWaffles 1,857 Posted November 15, 2015 Obviously don't want Ben to get hurt, but I would love to see Heath Miller in at quarterback! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted November 15, 2015 Steelers clearly just next leveled the Browns here. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
