'MNF' preview: Browns travel to Pittsburgh seeking historic start

The Cleveland Browns are hoping to start 2-0 for the first time since 1993 as they travel to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers on "Monday Night Football." Here's what to watch for each team: 

When the Steelers are on offense

Can Kenny Pickett bounce back?: The 2022 first-round pick couldn't generate much production offensively against the 49ers defense in the Steelers' 30-7 loss, particularly in the first half. Per NBC Sports Bay Area, the 49ers forced four Pittsburgh punts and an interception across its first five possessions of the game, allowing one yard in 15 plays and zero first downs. 

49ers LT Trent Williams even admitted that he hoped Pittsburgh's offense could get a first down so he could take a breather. 

Pickett finished Week 1 throwing for 232 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions while posting a 67.4% completion rate. Cleveland's defense won't be an easy team to return to form against, but a strong performance could at least instill confidence that the Steelers made the right choice by making Pickett their franchise quarterback. 

A potential George Pickens breakout game: Pickens showed flashes as a rookie, posting 801 yards with four touchdowns and because of his strong rapport with Pickett, many expected him to take a leap this season. While there's still plenty of time to do so, Week 1's 36-yard performance wasn't encouraging. Frustrations seemed to boil over after the game when a screenshot of Pickens' Instagram account surfaced showing that he liked a comment criticizing the offense and Pickett.

Although Pickens has since denied he liked the comment, he'll need a strong performance or he'll look even worse than the screenshot portrays. And with wideout Diontae Johnson out with a hamstring injury, Pickens has an excellent opportunity to put the incident to rest. 

How does the offensive line fare against Jim Schwartz's defense?: Last week, the Steelers offensive line surrendered five sacks to San Francisco and will now face an improved Cleveland defense that overwhelmed Joe Burrow and the Bengals. The Browns only gave up three points to Cincinnati, racked up two sacks and caused Burrow to have his worst day as a pro, allowing 82 passing yards.

The key to the game starts up front and the Steelers offensive line must be at its best against a pass rush unit that features All-Pro Myles Garrett and new faces Dalvin Tomlinson and Za'Darius Smith. 

Najee Harris' impressive track record against Cleveland: Harris didn't touch the ball much last week, but he wasn't efficient either, recording 31 yards on six carries and catching two passes for as many yards. However, this could be the perfect spot to get back on track. Over the course of his (albeit short) career, Harris has dominated the Browns, averaging 103.8 rushing yards and one touchdown across four games.

When the Browns are on offense

Deshaun Watson still looking to shake off the rust: Watson didn't perform like we've seen in the past when he returned to action last season, completing 58.2% of his passes for 1,102 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions in six games. The Browns may have won comfortably last week, but Watson was still shaky, throwing for just 154 yards with one touchdown and an interception.

Perhaps playing against a Pittsburgh secondary that struggled against the 49ers can help him regain his momentum. Nonetheless, Cleveland needs more out of the man they handed an outrageous $230M fully guaranteed deal last offseason.

If Amari Cooper is out, expect this receiver to step up: According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Cooper is “unlikely to play” Monday after aggravating a groin injury at practice. Cooper is considered Cleveland’s No. 1 option, though the loss might not be as severe as one may initially believe, as he hasn’t been too productive since Watson returned last season. In seven career games with Watson, Cooper has hauled in just 24 passes for 405 yards and two touchdowns.

Assuming the 29-year-old won't play, offseason acquisition Elijah Moore, who tied Cooper for the team lead in targets last week (seven), should see an uptick in volume. The ex-Jet Moore recorded three receptions for 37 yards in his Browns debut and also rushed twice for 19 yards. 

Moore has previously shown he could be a reliable top option, posting 34 receptions for 459 yards and five touchdowns in a six-game stretch during his 2021 rookie season. 

T.J. Watt strengthening his Defensive Player of the Year case: Cleveland's Garrett will firmly be in the mix for Defensive Player of the Year, but after Watt's three-sack performance against San Francisco, he could be the front-runner for the award with another strong outing. Not to mention that there might not be a defense so heavily dependent on one player in the same way that Pittsburgh relies on Watt. Last season, Pittsburgh was 8-2 with Watt in the lineup compared to 1-6 without him.

RT Dawand Jones: The rookie fourth-round pick is set to make his first career start on Monday, with starter Jack Conklin having been placed on IR with a knee injury. Jones fared well in the preseason, allowing just three total pressures across four games. Facing Watt will be challenging, though Jones is excited for the opportunity.  

"Big task ahead," Jones said via the team website. "Can't wait. Honestly, I couldn't ask for nothing else."