Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3) vs. Cleveland Browns (4-8)Date: Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011Kickoff: 8:20 p.m., ETSite: Heinz Field (65,500) • Pittsburgh, Pa.Playing Surface: GrassTV Coverage: NFL Network (locally KDKA-TV, channel 2)Announcers: Brad Nessler (play-by-play)*Mike Mayock (color analyst) Alex Flanagan (sideline)Local Radio: Steelers Radio Network WDVE-FM (102.5)/WBGG-AM (970)Announcers: Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play) Tunch Ilkin (color analyst) Craig Wolfley (sideline)National Radio: Westwood OneAnnouncers: Ian Eagle (play-by-play) Boomer Esiason (color analyst) Laura Okmin (sideline)Spanish Radio: Grupo Imagen - Destrito Federal (Mexico City) *XEDA-FM 90.5
Steelers notes for Browns game
THE COACHES
Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike TomlinOverall regular-season record: 52-24 (.684)/fifth seasonRegular-season record at Pittsburgh: 52-24 (.684)/fifth seasonPlayoff Record/Years: 5-2/three yearsCleveland Browns Head Coach Pat ShurmurOverall regular-season record: 4-8 (.333)/first seasonRegular-season record at Cleveland: 4-8 (.333)/first seasonPlayoff Record/Years: n/a
SERIES HISTORYSeries History: Series began in 1950Overall: Pittsburgh leads 60-56At Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh leads 37-21At Cleveland: Cleveland leads 35-23Neutral Sites: n/aLast Regular-Season Meeting: Jan. 2, 2011 (in Cleveland)*Pittsburgh 41, Cleveland 9Postseason Series: Pittsburgh leads 2-0(postseason record not included in overall series record)Pittsburgh leads the all-time regular-season series 60-56...the Steelers had won 12 straight games in the series prior to the Week 14 setback in 2009 in Cleveland...the Steelers have not lost to the Browns at home since a 33-13 defeat in 2003...QB Ben Roethlisberger is 12-1 against the
Browns in his career...Cleveland has not won the season series against the Steelers since defeating Pittsburgh 23-9 at Three Rivers Stadium and 27-7 at Cleveland Municipal Stadium in 1988...Pittsburgh owns a 52-25 record against the Browns since the 1970 NFL merger.
*PITTSBURGH-CINCINNATI CONNECTIONSLOCAL CONNECTIONS
• Steelers offensive coordinatorBruce Arians *was on the Browns staff from 2001-2003.• Steelers linebackers coachKeith Butler was on the Browns staff from 1999-2002.• Steelers quarterbacks coachRandy Fichtner was born in Cleveland.• Steelers defensive line coachJohn Mitchell was on the Browns staff from 1991-1993.• SteelersLB James Harrison was born in Akron, Ohio, less than an hour south of Cleveland. Harrison attended Coventry High School in Akron, and then attended Kent State University. The majority of Harrison's family still lives in the Akron area.• Browns running backs coachGary Brown played at Penn State University from 1987-1990.• Browns linebackers coachBill Davis was born in nearby Youngstown, Ohio. Davis was on the Steelers staff from 1992- 1994.• Browns quarterbacks coachMark Whipple was on the Steelers staff from 2004-2006.• BrownsOL Jason Pinkston was born in Pittsburgh. He attended Baldwin High School and the University of Pittsburgh. Pinkston was a first-team All-Big East selection and a second-team All-American by SI.com during the 2009 season. He was drafted by the Browns in the fifth round (150th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft.• BrownsDE Jabaal Sheard was a teammate of Pinkston at the University of Pittsburgh. Sheard earned first-team All-America honors in 2010. Sheard was drafted by the Browns in the second round (37th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft.• BrownsS Ray Ventrone was born in Pittsburgh and attended Chartiers Valley High School.• BrownsDL Scott Paxson played at Penn State University from 2002-2005. Paxson signed as an undrafted rookie free agent with the Steelers in 2006. He was on and off of the Steelers practice squad and active roster from 2006-2010.• BrownsWR Jordan Norwood played at Penn State University *from 2005-2008.
PRO CONNECTIONS
• Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlinwas the defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings in 2006 when Browns OL Artis Hicks played for the Vikings. Browns DL Jayme Mitchellalso played for the Vikings in 2006.
• Steelers WR Arnaz Battleand Browns DB Mike Adamswere teammates with the San Francisco 49ers from 2004-2006. When Battle was a rookie with the 49ers in 2003, Browns offensive assistant Chris Beakewas on the 49ers staff. Browns linebackers coach Bill Daviswas on the 49ers staff when Battle played for the 49ers from 2005-2006 and so was Browns offensive line coach George Warhop(2005-2008). Battle was also teammates with Browns OL Tony Pashoswith the 49ers in 2009. Steelers special teams coordinator Al Everestwas on the 49ers coaching staff in 2009 when Pashos played for the 49ers. Everest and Warhop also were on the Arizona Cardinals staff together from 1998-1999.
• Steelers S Will Allenand Browns TE Alex Smithwere teammates with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2005-2008.
• Steelers tight ends coach James Danieland Browns linebackers coach Bill Daviswere on the Atlanta Falcons staff together from 2001-2003.
* Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeauwas on the Cincinnati Bengals coaching staff in 1980, when Browns defensive coordinator Dick Jauronplayed for the Bengals. Jauron was on the Detroit Lions staff from 2004-2005 with Steelers offensive line coach Sean Kugler.Jauron and Kugler also were on the Buffalo Bills staff together from 2007-2009 when Jauron was the head coach.
• Steelers WR Jerricho Cotcheryplayed for the New York Jets when Browns defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson(2007-2008) and assistant strength and conditioning coach Rick Lyle (2006-2008) were on the Jets coaching staff.
• Steelers wide receivers coach Scottie Montgomeryplayed for the Denver Broncos when Browns senior assistant-defense Ray Rhodeswas on the Broncos staff from 2001-2002.
COLLEGE CONNECTIONS
• Steelers OT Marcus Gilbertand C Maurkice Pounceywere teammates with Browns CB Joe Hadenat the University of Florida from 2007-2009. All played key roles in the Gators 2009 BCS National Championship.
• Steelers LB Chris Carterand Browns LB Benjamin Jacobs were teammates at Fresno State from 2007-2010.
• Steelers LB James Harrisonand Browns WR Joshua Cribbs were teammates at Kent State University in 2001.
• Steelers QB Dennis Dixonand Browns DB T.J. Wardwere teammates at the University of Oregon in 2007.
• Steelers CB Keenan Lewisand Browns DB James Dockery were teammates at Oregon State University in 2008.
• Steelers P Jeremy Kapinoswas teammates with Browns DL Scott Paxsonfrom 2003-2005. Kapinos was also teammates at Penn State with Browns WR Jordan Norwoodfrom 2005-2006. Kapinos, Paxson and Norwood were all teammates for one season in 2005.
• Steelers OG Ramon Fosterand Browns RB Montario Hardesty were teammates at the University of Tennessee from 2005-2008.
• Steelers CB Curtis Brownand Browns QB Colt McCoyand RB Chris Ogbonnayawere teammates at the University of Texas from 2007-2009. Steelers NT Casey Hamptonand Browns K Phil Dawsonfrom 1996-1997.
• Steelers quarterbacks coach Randy Fichtnerwas on the Memphis Tigers coaching staff when Browns OL Artis Hicks played for the Tigers in 2001.
• Steelers wide receivers coach Scottie Montgomerywas on the Duke Blue Devils staff from 2006-2009 when Browns QB Thaddeus Lewisplayed for the Blue Devils.
• Steelers defensive backs coach Carnell Lakewas on the UCLA Bruins staff in 2009 when Browns LS Christian Yountplayed for the Bruins. Browns defensive assistant Chuck Bulloughwas also on the Bruins staff in 2009.
• Steelers assistant special teams coach Amos Joneswas on the Mississippi State Bulldogs coaching staff from 2004-2006 when Browns LB Titus Brownplayed for the Bulldogs.
• Browns wide receivers coach Mike Wilsonwas on the University of Southern California Trojans coaching staff when Steelers S Troy Polamaluplayed for the Trojans in 1999.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
PITTSBURGH TEAM NOTES• The Steelers look to improve to 332-208 all-time against AFC opponents.
• Pittsburgh looks to earn its eighth victory in the last nine games.
• With a win, will improve to 61-56 against the Browns during the regular season, including 38-21 at home.
• The Steelers look to win their third consecutive game against Cleveland and improve to 14-1 against the Browns since the start of the 2004 season.
• With a win will improve to 11-1 against the Browns at Heinz Field in the regular season.
• Pittsburgh looks to improve to 5-1 at home this season, which would mark the eighth straight season the Steelers have won at least five games at home.
• The Steelers look to force at least two turnovers for the fourth consecutive game (two at Cincinnati, four at Kansas City and two versus Cincinnati). Over the past three games Pittsburgh has six interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
• With a win the Steelers will be 3-2 against AFC North teams this season.
• The Steelers look to keep their third consecutive opponent to under 10 points (9, 7).
• Pittsburgh's defense will look to hold their 12th straight opponent to 23 points or less (0, 20, 17, 17, 13, 20, 17, 23, 17, 9, 7).
PITTSBURGH INDIVIDUAL NOTES
Head Coach Mike Tomlin
•With a win will go 10-3 through the first 13 games for the second consecutive season and the third time (2008) in five years as head coach of the Steelers.
•Will look to improve to 8-1 against Cleveland, including 5-0 at home.
• With a win will improve to 21-8 against teams in the AFC North.
•Will look to improve to 53-24 overall and 30-9 at home during the regular season.
•With a win will be 18-6 in primetime games and 5-1 in Thursday night games. Will also improve to 3-1 in primetime games this season.
QB Ben Roethlisberger
• With a win will improve to 13-1 against the Browns.
• Will look to improve to 79-32 as a starter and 44-13 at home.
• With a win will be 32-9 against the AFC North, including 17-5 at home.
•Looks to improve to 22-8 as a starter in primetime games during the regular season, including 6-1 in Thursday night games.
•Looks to throw for at least 300 yards for the fourth time in the last seven games. Would mark the 20th 300-yard passing performance of Roethlisberger's career and the fifth of this season, tying a career-high for 300 passing games during the regular season (five in 2009).
•Looks for fifth 100.0 rating of the season and 46th of his career.
WR Hines Ward
• Needs 10 receptions to reach 1,000 for his career. He would be eighth player in NFL history to reach the mark and the first in Steelers' history. Ward will become the second player in NFL history to reach 1,000 career receptions and win multiple Super Bowls (Hall of Famer Jerry Rice ).
TE Heath Miller
• Needs three receptions to surpass Elbie Nickel (329) for the most receptions by a tight end in Steelers history.
• Is 106 yards shy of passing Santonio Holmes (3,835) for ninth place on the Steelers all-time receiving yards list.
WR Antonio Brown
• Will look to lead the Steelers in either receptions or receiving yards for the sixth consecutive game.
RB Rashard Mendenhall
• Looks to record multiple rushing touchdowns in back-to-back regular-season games for the first time in his career.
• Is 43 yards away from passing Merril Hoge (3,115) for the 11th most career rushing yards in franchise history.
WR Mike Wallace
• Needs 28 yards to reach 1,000 for the second consecutive season (1,257 in 2010).
• Is three receptions shy of passing single season career-high of 60 set in 2010.
• With 100 yards receiving will record his 13th 100-yard receiving game of his career and the fifth of this season.
• If Wallace records at least 100 yards receiving it will be his eighth 100 yard receiving game in the last 15 regular-season games.
SS Troy Polamalu
• After returning a fumble 16 yards for the second fumble returned for a touchdown of his career vs. Indianapolis (Week 3), is one away from tying Jason Gildon (3) for the most fumbles returned for touchdowns in franchise history.
• Needs one touchdown to move into a tie for the second-most defensive touchdowns in Steelers history:
WR Mike Wallace
• Needs 28 yards to reach 1,000 for the second consecutive season (1,257 in 2010).
• Is three receptions shy of passing single season career-high of 60 set in 2010.
• With 100 yards receiving will record his 13th 100-yard receiving game of his career and the fifth of this season.
• If Wallace records at least 100 yards receiving it will be his eighth 100 yard receiving game in the last 15 regular-season games.
SS Troy Polamalu
• After returning a fumble 16 yards for the second fumble returned for a touchdown of his career vs. Indianapolis (Week 3), is one away from tying Jason Gildon (3) for the most fumbles returned for touchdowns in franchise history.
• Needs one touchdown to move into a tie for the second-most defensive touchdowns in Steelers history:
LB James Harrison• Needs two sacks to reach 10.0 on the season, becoming the first*Steeler since sacks became an official statistic in 1982 to record four consecutive years with at least 10.0 sacks (2010 - 10.5, 2009- 10.0, 2008 - 16.0).• After registering three sacks vs. Cincinnati (Week 13) and vs. Baltimore (Week 9) looks to become the second Steeler to register at least three sacks three times in one season since 1982 (Mike Merriweather, 1984, 3).• Looks to record sixth career regular-season game with at least three sacks to pass Joey Porter (5) for the most 3 sack games *during the regular season by a Steelers' player since 1982.
LB LaMarr Woodley• Needs one sack to reach 10.0 on the season, becoming the first*Steeler since sacks became an official statistic in 1982 to record four consecutive years with at least 10.0 sacks (2010 - 10.0, 2009- 13.5, 2008 - 11.5).• Two sacks shy of becoming the sixth Steeler to record 50 career *sacks.
