Nobody understands the Browns-Steelers rivalry quite like the players who lived it. For former Browns, games against Pittsburgh were never just another date on the schedule, and that feeling does not fade after retirement. When the Steelers come to town, those legends get fired up right along with the fanbase. One of the franchise’s all-time greats is ready for tonight’s showdown.
Hanford Dixon shared his excitement during an appearance with BIGPLAY Cleveland.
“I think [Deshaun Watson’s] got them believing right now. I like where this team is right now. Like I said, bring on those god**** Steelers,” Dixon said.
"I think Deshaun Watson's got them believing right now. I like where this team is right now. Bring on those goddamn Steelers!" #DawgPound
– @HanfordDixon29 pic.twitter.com/rfRiYBAO9p
— BIGPLAY Cleveland (@BIGPLAYcle) October 1, 2026
Dixon’s opinion carries weight in Cleveland. He was a 3-time Pro Bowl cornerback who spent his entire 9-year career with the Browns, earning 1st-team All-Pro honors in 1986 and 1987 while helping lead some of the best teams in franchise history.
He also knows how much a win over Pittsburgh means. Dixon was part of the 1986 team that finally ended Cleveland’s long losing streak in Pittsburgh, and the rivalry was at its most intense during his playing days.
His belief in the current team comes at an interesting time. Just last week, Dixon admitted that losing 3 AFC Championship games still haunts him. Seeing him this optimistic about a roster that finished last in the division a year ago says a lot about the way the Browns have played over the last 2 weeks.
Watson is the reason he pointed to first. After a rough opener in Jacksonville, Watson has led back-to-back 4th-quarter comebacks and owns the NFL’s best passer rating in the final quarter at 148.4. He became the first Browns quarterback since Brian Sipe in 1980 to throw go-ahead, game-winning touchdowns in the final 4 minutes of consecutive games.
That kind of late-game success changes the feeling inside a locker room. Young teams that win close games start to expect to win them, and the Browns now have a 2-1 record and a share of first place in the AFC North to show for it.
History is on their side tonight as well. Cleveland is 10-2 all-time at home on Thursday Night Football, has won 9 straight in that setting and is a perfect 4-0 against Pittsburgh. The Steelers have not won in Cleveland since 2021.
There are still challenges. Center Elgton Jenkins has been ruled out, so Luke Wypler is expected to start in the middle of a line that has already struggled with pre-snap penalties. The Steelers are also 2-1 under Mike McCarthy, with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback.
Still, Mason Graham has recorded a sack in every game this season, and the defense just pressured Carolina’s quarterback on 30 of 47 dropbacks. If that unit brings the same energy against Pittsburgh, Dixon’s confidence may be well placed.
A win would move the Browns to 3-1 and give them their 1st division victory of the season. For a legend who never stopped believing in this franchise, it would be one more sign that better days might finally be ahead.
NEXT: Deshaun Watson Gaining Momentum For Major NFL Award
