CLEVELAND — Round two of the heavyweight battle between the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers is set for this Sunday at Heinz Field.
For the first time in more than a quarter-century, the Browns are going to Pittsburgh as the decidedly better team on paper. There's no Ben Roethlisberger to deal with. James Conner and JuJu Smith-Schuster are banged up. Heck, the Steelers are going with their third string quarterback over Mason Rudolph.
That's all well and good. But can the Browns beat the Steelers in the 'Burgh?
It hasn't happened very often. In fact, you have to go all the way back to 2003, when the Browns topped Pittsburgh on a Sunday night. They've had many chances to break the curse, but never as promising as this year.
Here's what concerns me heading into this weekend's game: Can the Browns maintain their composure when things don't go their way? Because you know something unforeseen will happen. A call will go against them. A momentum-swinging turnover perhaps. Something to get those terrible towels waving.
Are the Browns mentally tougher since that first meeting that culminated in a bevy of fines and suspensions? I think so. Jim Donovan thinks so. The players and head coach Freddie Kitchens have said all the right things since Myles Garrett swung his helmet at Rudolph, which triggered an indefinite suspension. They also played with a laser-focus right from the opening play against the Dolphins, which was a very good sign.
Now they just have to go out and win.
One thing to keep an eye on, according to Jimmy, is the injury condition of left tackle Greg Robinson. He was placed in concussion protocol after arriving to the team's headquarters on Wednesday. If he can't play, the Browns will have to figure out how to protect Baker Mayfield's blind side.
Running the ball with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt early and often sounds like a good idea to me.
Watch Wednesday's edition of Donovan & Dino in the player below:
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