The Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers will get their 2014-15 campaigns started with a game at Heinz Field on Sunday, Sept. 7. Both teams struggled last season, though the latter did look like a playoff team from time to time. Pittsburgh managed to go 8-8 and came extremely close to making it into the playoffs at the last minute, while the Browns went 4-12 and reshuffled the deck once again this offseason.
Browns vs. Steelers 2014 game preview: Can Brian Hoyer get Cleveland started with a win?
Week 1 features an AFC North battle between two underdogs in the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Jason Miller
Pittsburgh won both meetings between these two AFC North rivals last season. Winning these matches is important for both, as their other two division rivals are likely considered a step above them this season. The Cincinnati Bengals took the division last season, while the Baltimore Ravens also finished 8-8. It's going to be a competitive division, and it starts here in Week 1.
Meet the Steelers
Every year, people talk about quarterback Ben Roethlisberger regressing and every year ... he doesn't. Roethlisberger has been consistent throughout his career, and last season finished with impressive numbers. He completed 64.2 percent of his passes for 4,261 yards and 28 touchdowns against 14 interceptions. Those numbers gave the Steelers the NFL's No. 12 passing offense, though they also had the No. 28 rushing offense in the league.
Fortunately, the development of running back Le'Veon Bell seems like it will add a new dimension to the Steelers. Bell had 860 yards and eight touchdowns as a rookie, and with LeGarrette Blount in the mix, the Steelers are primed to run a power offense this season. But the concern lies in the absence of many long-time veterans such as Ryan Clark, LaMarr Woodley, Brett Keisel and Emmanuel Sanders.
Meet the Browns
There isn't an organization in the league that's suffered from instability throughout its roster and its front office more than the Browns. After another disappointing season, the Browns' new ownership switched things up once again, bringing in a new coaching staff after just one year of the previous one. That new regime went out and drafted quarterback Johnny Manziel in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, but he's not going to be under center for this game.
No, that will be Brian Hoyer, who was well on his way to a decent year before sustaining a season-ending injury in 2013. Hoyer completed 57 of 96 attempts -- 59.4 percent -- for 615 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions. Hoyer won a training camp/preseason quarterback competition against Manziel and is the guy that Mike Pettine believes in, for now.
There's a few new faces, like linebacker Karlos Dansby and safety Donte Whitner, and they managed to hold on to center Alex Mack and gave cornerback Joe Haden a large contract extension. Unfortunately, Hoyer will be without his best weapon in wide receiver Josh Gordon, as he was suspended for the entirety of the 2014-15 season.
Injuries
Pittsburgh’s big injury is to wide receiver Lance Moore. He’s been out of practice all week with a groin injury and was declared out for the game on Friday. Cornerback Brice McCain was also declared out for the game, as he’s dealing with a groin injury of his own. Other than that, wide receiver Martavis Bryant is listed as doubtful, while center Cody Wallace is listed as questionable. The other players are listed as probably and were full participants in practice.
Two defensive ends are likely to miss this one for the Cleveland Browns. Desmond Bryant is doubtful after having wrist surgery a few weeks ago, while John Hughes has already been ruled out with a hamstring injury. Then there’s Paul McQuistan, but he is a backup offensive lineman. The rest of the players on the report -- all six of them -- are dealing with minor injuries.
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Steelers:
Browns:
Odds
Pittsburgh opened up as 5-point favorites, though they were favored by as much as a touchdown on some sites, according to OddsShark. The over/under opened at 40 points.
Next Week
Pittsburgh will play its first road game of the season on Thursday Night Football against the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 11. The Browns will play their home opener against the New Orleans Saints three days later on Sept. 14.
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