Getty Browns corner Denzel Ward makes a tackle against the Steelers.
There’s little doubt that the Cleveland Browns will be in the most hostile environment they’ve been in all season when they head to Heinz Field this week to see the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday for the second time in three weeks.
The Browns won the first matchup 21-7, but the game became notable for the final few seconds, which saw Cleveland defensive end Myles Garrett bash Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph with his own helmet over the head in one of the ugliest brawls in NFL history.
Both sides have let their feelings be known on the incident, but none of that will matter when the teams meet up in a game that has playoff implications for both squads. Browns second-year corner Denzel Ward expects some extra spice to the matchup that already carried a healthy helping of intensity.
“I know that it is going to be a lot of trash talking out there and a lot of guys are going to try and get into your head and do things to try and get you out of character,” Browns cornerback Denzel Ward said. “You just have to think about the betterment of the team and just go out there and win the game but do not do any stupid penalties or anything toward the other team that could hurt this team.
Denzel Ward on upcoming game with Steelers: “There’s going to be a lot of trash talking. You have to keep your head and not put your hands on guys after the play.”
Browns center JC Tretter echoed Ward, but made sure to note that it’s time for both sides to move past what happened.
“I’m sure it will be a more talked about game than it would have been otherwise, but I can really only speak for myself: I’m going to treat this like any other game,” Cleveland center JC Tretter said. “What happened a week and a half ago, that’s passed and it is over. The discipline has been passed down and now it’s time to move past it.”
Browns Unsure Who Will be at Quarterback For Steelers
GettySteelers quarterback Mason Rudolph.
What would turn down the intensity a few notches would be if Rudolph did not start at quarterback for the Steelers, which is a very real possibility. The second-year hurler was pulled against the Bengals on Sunday for rookie quarterback Devlin “Duck” Hodges, who led the Steelers to a 16-10 victory.
“Just felt like our offense needed a spark,” said Steelers coach Mike Tomlin on the decision to bench Rudolph. “Mason wasn’t doing enough. Duck came in and provided a spark, made a couple plays. We’ll see what next week holds. But I like the contributions of Duck. I like his readiness. I appreciate the efforts of Mason and also appreciate the support of Mason after we made the change. That’s how we get down.”
Regardless of who starts, Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens wants the team to keep their emotions in check.
“I want them to go in with one thing and one thing only on their minds, and that is to do their job, and anything that overshadows that in any way is not acceptable and it is not the best for the team,” Kitchens told reporters on a Monday conference call. “I want guys to show up ready to do their job. All of that other stuff is just fluff. It is just fluff to give people things to talk about leading up to Sunday.
“At some point on Sunday around 1 p.m., we are going to kick the ball off and that is when it is going to be for real then at that point, and that is when I want them to be at their best.”
Browns Want to Face Mason Rudolph Again
Browns veteran defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson was asked about Rudolph being benched and delivered some shade when asked if he wanted to see him again on Sunday.
“I hope he plays,” Richardson told reporters. “Did you see him last week?”
Rudolph tossed a career-high four interceptions against the Browns.
The Browns, who have won three games in a row, opened as a 1-point favorite for the game.
READ NEXT: Insider Links Patriots Coach to Browns, Baker Mayfield