Takeaways: Steelers bully Browns in Week 6 divisional game

Pittsburgh isn’t just getting sacks from the edge or the D-line, though. The mix of pressures from defensive backs is adding up, too. Dominating defense wins championships. Pittsburgh moved to 4-1 on the season thanks to the uptick in pressure, and are two games up on the next closest AFC North opponent: they face that rival, the Cincinnati Bengals in a Thursday Night matchup that kicks off NFL Week 7.

Rodgers still getting it done at 41

There wasn’t anything fancy that Aaron Rodgers was doing against the Browns. The veteran quarterback has been showing he is a more-than capable game manager who reads what the opposing defense is going to give – and send at – him.

On Sunday, Rodgers allowed the run game to establish as he worked more passes to tight ends on the first three offensive series. There were times when his throws weren’t timed as well as they could be, resulting in 21 completions out of 30 attempts in the game.

In the third quarter, Rodgers was able to find ways to get the job done when he threw a perfect touchdown strike to Connor Heyward and a nice touch pass to D.K. Metcalf for another six points.

The offensive line, with the addition of Spencer Anderson as an extra blocker, was able to prevent the Browns – including Myles Garrett – from sacking Rodgers. It was more evident that Rodgers is putting more trust in the offensive front and playing with a decisive yet relaxed demeanor. He actually looks like he’s having fun when things work out offensively, including when Arthur Smith asks for more tricky run-pass option looks.

Rodgers’ 235 passing yards to Jonnu Smith, Pat Freiermuth, Roman Wilson, Darnell Washington, and Heyward mixed with a combination of Jaylen Warren, Kenneth Gainwell, and Kaleb Johnson on the ground for 89 yards, kept the Browns defensive front from just stacking the box. It also gave Rodgers opportunities to allow Metcalf, who caught 4 passes for 95 yards, to get one-on-one matchups.

The Steelers averaged 5.8 yards per play on offense and won the time of possession battle despite running the same number of offensive series (9) as the Browns.