Steelers, Browns Meet with AFC North Lead on the Line
The Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) host the Cleveland Browns (5-2) Sunday at Acrisure Stadium in a Week 8 matchup that will determine sole possession of first place in the AFC North. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET on CBS.
Both teams enter riding three-game winning streaks. Pittsburgh returns home after defeating the New Orleans Saints in the NFL's first-ever game played in Paris, while Cleveland aims to sweep the season series for the first time since 1988. The Browns won the earlier meeting 27-24 on Oct. 1. The Steelers have won 22 consecutive regular-season home games against Cleveland, and they enter Sunday as 3.5-point favorites, according to CBS Sports.
Injury Concerns and Roster Moves
The Steelers continue to battle injuries at wide receiver. Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson remain on the Reserve/Injured List, and Ben Skowronek is inactive Sunday. To bolster depth, Pittsburgh signed Brandon Smith to the 53-man roster from the practice squad on Saturday and elevated Brandon Johnson from the practice squad for Sunday's game. Smith had two receptions for 24 yards, including a career-long 20-yard grab, against the Saints in Week 7. Johnson has appeared in 23 career games with 26 receptions for 335 yards and five touchdowns.
Defensively, the Steelers will be without cornerbacks Brandin Echols and Doneiko Slaughter, who were ruled out after missing practice all week. Safety DeShon Elliott returned against the Saints after missing most of the 2025 season with an injury, providing a boost to the secondary.
Stakes High in Crowded AFC North
The AFC North has been one of the NFL's most competitive divisions this season, with all four teams—Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Baltimore—sitting above .500. Sunday's result will reshape the division standings, with the winner taking sole possession of first place and the loser falling into a tie with the chasing pack.
For Cleveland, a victory would signal a statement win and complete a season sweep of its division rival for the first time in 38 years. The Browns have won three straight and are looking to prove their fast start is sustainable. For Pittsburgh, a win would extend its home dominance over Cleveland and keep the Steelers atop the division heading into their Week 9 bye.
The game also carries playoff implications. With the Ravens and Bengals both lurking, every divisional victory matters in tiebreaker scenarios. Pittsburgh's upcoming schedule includes a bye followed by a road trip to Cincinnati in Week 10, making Sunday's result even more critical.
How to Watch
Fans in the Pittsburgh market can watch the game on KDKA-TV, with pregame coverage beginning at 11:30 a.m. on "Steelers Kickoff." Out-of-market viewers can stream via NFL+, while Paramount+ offers streaming in certain markets. NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube and YouTube TV, along with Hulu + Live TV, provide additional options. Postgame coverage airs on KDKA+ with "The Extra Point" and a special edition of "The Nightly Sports Call."
Broader Implications for Both Franchises
A Steelers victory would reinforce their home-field advantage—a trend that has defined this rivalry for decades—and provide momentum before the bye. It would also quiet concerns about receiver depth and a banged-up secondary. A Browns win, however, would mark a significant psychological breakthrough, ending nearly four decades of regular-season futility in Pittsburgh and proving Cleveland can win the big divisional game on the road.
The outcome could also influence how both teams approach the trade deadline and the remainder of the season. With the AFC playoff picture wide open, Sunday's game serves as an early referendum on which team is a genuine contender and which is merely a fast starter.
As the NFL season reaches its midpoint, the Steelers-Browns rivalry—one of the league's oldest—has renewed relevance. The division lead, a potential season sweep, and bragging rights are all on the line at Acrisure Stadium.
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