Steelers vs Browns ranked as NFL’s top rivalry of 2019
The Steelers and Browns haven’t had a tough competitive nature since 2018. But in one year, these two have become the league’s top rivalry.
If it’s true, it’s going to be something special. The Cleveland Browns certainly did what they could in the last two years to put together a playoff team. They’ve made the trades, added the free agents and drafted the quarterback. Now, they just need to start winning.
For the Steelers, they fell last season but they’re looking to bounce right back. Without Antonio Brown or Le’Veon Bell, some expect this team to actually be better than they were a year ago. Without the locker room drama or constant social media trouble, focusing on football may actually benefit their success in 2019.
But are the Browns and Steelers the NFL’s top rivalry of the year? NFL.com’s Adam Rank says they are, explaining that people may be skeptical but there’s a lot of potential in this matchup.
"I understand that it would be fitting to have Browns-Ravens as the rivalry here — because Baltimore stole the Browns years ago, and the Ravens are the reigning AFC North champions — but there is something that just feels right about Browns-Steelers being the pick. Because there will be no in between with these two. Either the Browns fulfill their destiny this season and win the division in convincing fashion, rollicking past the competition while the Steelers fall into further chaos. Or the Browns finish 5-11, while the Steelers claim the top seed in the AFC. I’m telling you: It’s one or the other."
It would sure be nice to see the Browns and Steelers of the past. Lately, Pittsburgh’s biggest worries came from Terrell Suggs getting off the edge or the Bengals finding ways to injury players before the postseason. But if the year of the dog is true, Cleveland could be the Steelers best matchup in the AFC North.
No one is complaining. What makes Steelers football special is the AFC North. The toughest division in sports and certainly the meanest. The Browns have been sitting on the sidelines for years, but they’re ready to take it by storm in 2019.
Next. Changes the Steelers still need to make. dark
That may not be the best news for the Steelers schedule, but getting to watch these two monsters go head-to-head twice this season is going to be worth a possible loss. And if the Steelers can pull off two wins over the Browns, and maybe take home the division as a whole, 2019 is going to be a very special year.