Where: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pa. (turf)
When: Sunday, 1 p.m., ET (CBS)
Spread: Steelers by 4.5
Forecast: Flurries early, 32 degrees
Records: Browns (5-10, AFC North 2-3), Steelers (7-8, AFC North 2-3)
Past results: Two most recent regular-season meetings: November 25, 2012: Browns 20, Steelers 14; January 1, 2012: Steelers 13, Browns 9. Series record: Steelers lead 64-57 (Steelers have won 16 of the last 18).
What matters: The Browns have careened to their fifth consecutive 10-loss season, and new owner Jimmy Haslam and CEO Joe Banner will probably announce the fates of general manager Tom Heckert and coach Pat Shurmur early next week. Speculation is that it’s a fait accompli and that neither will be returning. It can be argued that Heckert deserves to stay based on his drafting, but most in Cleveland support the ousting of the coach. Fans are also concerned, however, that there will be no upgrade at either spot. The notion of changes being made at such critical posts simply because Haslam and Banner “have the right to bring in their own people” has some Browns fans upset. Only time will tell if there is general satisfaction with the replacements if this is indeed the last game with the organization for Heckert and Shurmur. Sunday is merely the final chapter in another book about losing. A new book is about to be written. And, oh yes, the Browns have a chance to sweep the Steelers in a season series for the first time since 1988. That definitely matters.
Who matters: Who would have believed that Thaddeus Lewis would matter in any game this season? But the third-string quarterback will have a chance to display his talent to the Browns and other NFL teams if Brandon Weeden and Colt McCoy are indeed sidelined with right shoulder injuries. Running back Montario Hardesty might also receive a shot at extended playing time. His yards-per-carry average of 4.6 is a full yard better than that of Trent Richardson (ankle), who might also be out. The injuries on offense don’t bode well considering the Steelers remain ranked atop the NFL in overall defense and have yielded 453 fewer yards than any other team. Unproven safeties Eric Hagg and Tashaun Gipson have been forced in as starters due to injuries that have landed both T.J. Ward (knee) and Usama Young (thumb) on injured reserve. The eyes of Banner will be on many of the players, as final evaluations that could affect the 2013 roster will be made.
Key matchups: LT Joe Thomas vs. ROLB James Harrison. Harrison has sent three Browns to the sidelines with concussions over the years, though Thomas has been at fault only once as Harrison got his other shots in on two plays after they had broken down. This is no doubt the spotlight matchup of the game. Thomas has just been named to his sixth Pro Bowl while Harrison has made four appearances. The Browns might be down to their third-string quarterback and just-signed fourth-stringer Josh Jonson isn’t ready. This team will struggle enough to win in Pittsburgh. The playbook has been pared down to accommodate Lewis. The Browns cannot afford to have him knocked out of the game. CB Buster Skrine vs. WR Antonio Brown. Shurmur and defensive coordinator Dick Jauron have consistently praised Skrine for his aggressive style, but the second-year cornerback has struggled mightily in coverage and has failed to keep his hands off receivers beyond the five-yard zone. The Browns don’t have enough offensive firepower, especially if Weeden and Richardson are out, to be able to afford pass interference penalties and long pass plays from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to Brown or Mike Wallace. The Browns could catch a break if the latter is out with a hip injury.
Injuries of note: They’re everywhere. The losses of Ward, Young and possibly CB Sheldon Brown (concussion) could devastate a secondary that needs more than CB Joe Haden to be effective against strong passing offenses. The Browns have struggled enough to score points despite the emergence of WRs Greg Little and Josh Gordon, as well as increasing production from veteran TE Benjamin Watson. It’s hard to imagine them consistently getting the ball in stride in the west coast offense with both Weeden and McCoy out. Only time will tell if the spate of injuries that has struck the recently healthy Browns will wipe out their chances of sweeping the Steelers for the first time in 24 years.
Inside stuff: The most common name that has surfaced this week as a possible replacement for Shurmur is Patriots offensive coordinator and former Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels. The Canton native is just 36, would likely create a more wide-open offense that could take better advantage of the strong arm of QB Brandon Weeden and is rumored to be in favor of keeping popular defensive coordinator Dick Jauron. Speculation remains that the top choice of Haslam and Banner is Alabama coach Nick Saban, but that he is unlikely to leave a job in which he is most comfortable and successful for another shot at an NFL coaching gig.
Connections: Browns QB Coach Mark Whipple served in the same capacity in Pittsburgh (2004-2006). … Steelers PK Shane Suisham had a training camp tryout with the Browns in 2010 and kicked at Bowling Green State University. … Browns DE Jabaal Sheard played at the University of Pittsburgh (2007-2010).
Stat you should know: Richardson will lose his shot at a 1,000-yard season if he doesn’t play. He would finish with 950. … Pro Bowl K Phil Dawson is 28 of 29 in field goal accuracy and 6 of 6 from 50 yards or longer. His lone miss was tipped at the line of scrimmage at Oakland. … If Sheldon Brown is inactive (he had not practiced through Thursday), it will end a streak of 175 consecutive games played, which ranks fifth among all active defensive players in the NFL. … MLB D’Qwell Jackson leads the Browns with 114 tackles. Next in line is rookie OLB Craig Robertson with 79. Jackson has more than doubled the assist total of any teammate with 53. … The Browns have both recorded and surrendered 17 interceptions, but have 25 fumble recoveries to 19 for their opponents.
Looking ahead: The fate of Shurmur and Heckert will probably be made public early next week. Yet another rebuild is likely.
Prediction: Steelers 17, Browns 6.
Stay dialed in on the Cleveland Browns on Twitter at @CBSBrowns throughout the season with on-site updates from CBSSports.com RapidReports correspondent Marty Gitlin.
