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When scanning the NFL standings, a double take is understandable. Through seven weeks, the Cleveland Browns sit atop the AFC North—a scenario few predicted. The Pittsburgh Steelers, their Week 8 opponent, share the same 5-2 mark, and Sunday's clash at Acrisure Stadium will determine sole possession of first place.
The Browns' resurgence comes under first-year head coach Todd Monken, who was hired after Kevin Stefanski's dismissal following a second straight sub-.300 season in 2025. Monken, 60, previously served as Cleveland's offensive coordinator in 2019 and spent the past three seasons calling plays for the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. Meanwhile, the Steelers transitioned from Mike Tomlin, who stepped down after 19 years, to veteran Mike McCarthy. The 62-year-old McCarthy, a Pennsylvania native and lifelong Steelers fan, returns to Pittsburgh after head-coaching stints with the Packers and Cowboys, reuniting with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, whom he coached for 13 seasons in Green Bay, including a Super Bowl XLV victory.
Despite the intrigue surrounding the coaching changes, the on-field numbers reveal a more complex story. Both teams have been middling offensively: Cleveland averages 19.0 points per game (28th) and 299.4 yards per game (24th), while Pittsburgh averages 21.9 points (22nd) and 323.7 yards (18th). The Browns have allowed a league-high 25 sacks on Deshaun Watson, and the Steelers rank second in sacks allowed (23) while scoring a league-low one rushing touchdown all season. Yet both defenses have compensated, ranking in the top 10 in points allowed, yards allowed, EPA per play, turnovers forced, and sacks. Pittsburgh's unit, led by coordinator Patrick Graham, has been particularly stout, holding its last two opponents under 20 points and intercepting three passes. Cleveland's defense, coordinated by first-time play-caller Mike Rutenberg, has leaned on linebacker Carson Schwesinger (64 tackles, sixth in the NFL) and cornerback Denzel Ward (six passes defensed, two interceptions, 54.9 passer rating allowed).
Key Analysis
The quarterback storyline adds another layer. Deshaun Watson, despite a tumultuous tenure in Cleveland marked by suspensions and injuries, is playing his best football as a Brown, leading the NFL in game-winning drives (5) and fourth-quarter comebacks (3) while posting career-best marks in completion percentage (64.8%), yards per attempt (7.1), and passer rating (90.6). Aaron Rodgers, at 42, has turned back the clock with 1,699 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and a stretch of three consecutive games with three touchdown passes for the first time since his 2021 MVP season. Both signal-callers have their teams in the thick of the AFC playoff race.
Historically, the Browns were long the NFL's laughingstock, but since 2019, the series has been remarkably even: the teams are tied 8-8 in 15 regular-season meetings and one playoff game, with Pittsburgh outscoring Cleveland by just 43 points (345 to 302). Sunday's matchup promises a hard-nosed, smash-mouth affair with first place on the line—a game that offers far more than what meets the eye.