The Cleveland Browns’ upcoming game against the Pittsburgh Steelers is going to be a big one. Not only do the teams share the same record, but they are both attempting to claim dominance in the AFC North. Whoever wins this upcoming game will send a strong message to the rest of the division and the league.
Speaking on the NFL Network, Jeff Darlington talked about the Browns’ current identity and how it has been formed by late-game victories. Cleveland is making a name for itself as a team that gets its act together in the fourth quarter.
That has led to some nervous but cautiously optimistic fans. However, the Steelers have been building momentum lately, and they will not go down without a fight.
The battle for AFC North is going to be an intense one.
“[Late-game wins] is their identity. The question is whether they can sustain that identity. This part of the season gets so interesting. This is a perfect example of it. Two teams sitting at the top of the division, trying to claim their identity. The question for both these teams is, ‘How real is it?’ Deshaun Watson has had late-game heroics in each of their five wins. Five fourth-quarter touchdown drives. I think the question becomes, ‘Can he continue to do that? Can he sustain that type of late-game heroics?’ I think this is a perfect barometer for both of these teams, and certainly a perfect barometer for Deshaun Watson,” Darlington said.
“The question for both these teams is, ‘How real is it?’”@JeffDarlington believes the upcoming Browns-Steelers matchup will answer questions for both teams 👀 pic.twitter.com/SYBbM2U4EZ
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) October 27, 2026
As mentioned by Darlington, some people still aren’t sure how “real” the Browns are. It’s undeniable that they have gotten off to a better-than-expected start, but a lot of people are basically waiting for things to fall apart and the team to start playing like they did last year. It would be a disappointing fall from grace, but it feels like certain analysts and even fans are expecting it.
The Browns and Deshaun Watson are trying to send a message: they are doing better than expected because they are literally better than expected. They want people to know that their wins aren’t flukes and aren’t just blind luck.
And Watson is eager to remind people that he isn’t washed up, isn’t past his prime, and his contract wasn’t a mistake. The upcoming game between the Browns and Steelers will be a definitive one for both teams.
It’ll be a massive test for the Browns but an opportunity to silence the critics again.
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