AFC North football begins for the Steelers this week when they take on the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday.
The Steelers come in with a 3-1 record, leading the AFC North, while the Browns are 1-4, but still possess the AFC's top defense and the NFL's top run defense.
When these two teams get together, you can throw records out the door.
"Great challenge on the road," said Browns coach Kevin Stefanski. "Division opponent, excited about these opportunities, these rivalry games and going against division opponents.
"Obviously, they're atop the division right now, playing really good football. I think they're plus 7 turnover margin, doing a nice job taking it away.
"They're playing very well on the offensive side, and they always play great on special teams.
"So, really good players, coaches that I have a ton of respect for. So, its division football, it's AFC North, we know what to expect."
Stefanski and the Browns didn't just talk about the rivalry, but also weighed in on Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf, the defense and more.
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Coach Kevin Stefanski on quarterback Aaron Rodgers:
"Outstanding football player. Might be the best thrower of the football I've ever seen just from the arm talent, the skill that he has. I have a ton of respect for what he's done in his career.
"Playing at a high level right now. Extremely accurate. Has a good feel for what they're doing. Allows his receivers, tight ends, running backs to get good yards after the catch. He's playing at a very high level."
Cornerback Denzel Ward on Rodgers:
"He's a vet. A lot of experience. He runs the show over there. He is still a very productive quarterback in this league. We're going to try and have to eliminate him."
Ward on how you combat Rodgers getting the ball out of his hands so fast:
"It's on all of us. I am not going to go through the game plan or scheme, I think it's on the entire defense to neutralize that."
Stefanski on the Steelers ability to create takeaways:
"They've always done an outstanding job taking the ball away. I think it's five interceptions, five fumbles, if I'm not mistaken. They can come in droves.
"They get their hands on balls in their spot drop zones. They certainly attack the football when they're tackling.
"So, last week was very similar against the Vikings, where you have to be always aware as a ball carrier, any position, you're a punt returner, a kick returner, you name it, they're coming to attack the football.
"So, ball security technique is at an absolute premium when you're going against them."
Receiver Jerry Jeudy on the Steelers defense's ability to create takeaways:
"They are second in the league. They've got a good secondary. Good defensive line. Guys that are making plays in the backend. We just have to do a good job of not turning the ball over and playing our game."
Quarterback Dillon Garbiel on what he has seen from the Steelers defense and the takeaways they force:
"They're extremely talented. I think there's individual pieces for sure, but I think as a whole, they play really well together. Know a couple of the guys, know of a lot of the guys, so got a lot of respect for them. We got to prepare a certain way. I think that's every week, but most importantly this week because that's all you can control."
Ward on DK Metcalf:
"Big receiver. Fast. Can run. Tough with the ball in his hands. And their number one guy over there."
Ward on how you combat Metcalf's height on jump balls and deep balls:
"I'm not that small. He's a pretty big guy. Just playing our game. It's nothing too different. There are a lot of guys in this league, tall, small. It's nothing too crazy."
Gabriel on playing in a hostile environment in Pittsburgh:
"I think you kind of find out by yourself. Of course, you hear a lot from others and understanding the rivalry and myself playing in rivalry games, totally understand that, but I still think there's just the main importance of just doing your job and doing it a high level. So that'll all come and have a lot of respect for Pittsburgh and what they've done and that's for every opponent we play."
Ward on frustration of losing in Pittsburgh so often:
"I think it's more so week-to-week trying to get a win. It's hard to win in this league. That is just the main focus, trying to get a win. Not moreso focused on which win, just this next win. Trying to get the next win, that is the main goal."
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