It would have been unfathomable to most NFL fans just a few weeks ago, but the Cleveland Browns are heading into a Thursday Night Football matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers with a chance to win a third game in a row and move to 3-1 on the young season. After Week 1’s disastrous loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, most wouldn’t have been surprised if this team wound up on a path to 0-17, but things have changed drastically since then.
Surprisingly, the Browns have won four in a row at home against the Steelers after decades of losing to them seemingly every single time. If they can make it five in a row on Thursday, a lot of the narratives surrounding this team could change for the time being.
During Wednesday’s episode of The Really Big Show on ESPN Cleveland, Andre Knott talked about the impact another win over the Steelers could have. He believes if the Browns can make it five in a row at home over the Steelers, it can light a fire under the entire city.
“You beat the Steelers at home, people will walk around with their head held so high this weekend,” said Knott.
"You beat the Steelers at home, people will walk around with their head held so high this weekend," – @DreKnott thinks a Browns win over the Steelers on TNF could have Cleveland on fire! pic.twitter.com/kUuQDr61H6
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) September 30, 2026
There was concern that if Deshaun Watson was unable to prevent the Browns from starting 0-2 ahead of the Week 3 home opener, the entire fan base would turn on the team. His impressive Week 2 performance likely saved his job, and maybe even his career, and it was clear last week that a weight had been lifted off his shoulders that enabled him to relax with the media and play more freely.
For maybe the first time since joining the Browns, Watson showed flashes of the guy he used to be during his days with the Houston Texans. The Steelers will be a good test for him, though they are not infallible, as this defense isn’t as dominant as many Browns fans are accustomed to seeing over the past few decades.
This city is dying for a fun Browns team to root for, and the team is potentially just a win or two away from being exactly that. The young talents on both sides of the ball are starting to blossom, and somehow, Watson is turning things around. We’ll see just how crazy the city can get if this team can find a way to make it to 3-1.
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