It is one thing for an NFL player to express confidence and try to intimidate through trash-talking. But until those words are backed up with some production, they do more harm than good.
That’s especially true when they unnecessarily add motivation for the opponent. So, heading into the Cleveland Browns’ first-place showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, it is time for Jared Verse to back up his bravado with his first sack of the season.
Verse is one of two Browns players who need to show up against the Steelers, with the other being kicker Andre Szmyt.
After the Browns’ 27-24 victory against their rivals in Week 4, Verse accused Steelers players of being dirty and said he was very much looking forward to the rematch. Then, this week, he took it even further by saying Cleveland would “dominate” and “make Pittsburgh ours on Sunday.”
That is not only likely to draw a very strong reaction from Steelers players, but also from the Terrible Towel-waving home crowd at Acrisure Stadium. So, even though Verse has played a vital role on the Browns’ defense and may be on the verge of a breakout, he needs to have his best game of the season, or some latent questioning of his play could quickly rise to the surface.
Szmyt is much more mild-mannered and under-the-radar than Verse, yet he could play an even more important role in Sunday’s outcome. He won the first meeting with a 56-yard field goal, one of three game-winning kicks among Cleveland’s five victories.
Yet, he has struggled a bit lately. He missed an extra point in Week 5; a fourth-quarter field goal in Week 6, which ended his streak of 25 straight makes; and a fourth-quarter field goal last week against the Tennessee Titans.
Fortunately, Szmyt was able to rebound with winning kicks in the past two games, but with this game expected to be close again, every point is bound to be crucial with the top spot in the AFC North on the line.
NEXT: 3 Browns Players Are Questionable For Steelers Game
