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SDOGO · 09-07-2007, 02:19 PM

Game-day details
Sun., 1 p.m. ET, Cleveland Browns Stadium
Weather forecast from AccuWeather.com:
Partly sunny. High: 77. Low: 60.

Why To Watch

The Steelers open the '07 season with many questions. New coach Mike Tomlin and new offensive coordinator Bruce Arians have brought a fresh approach to the Steel City. At times, the Steelers will look like the Vikings when they throw it deep. At other times, they will take on a West Coast look, using short passes to control the ball. A 4-yard gain, the theory goes, is the same whether it comes via run or pass.

The days of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger handing off to Willie Parker behind the lead block of Dan Kreider aren't completely past us -- it's just not the core of the Steelers' offense anymore. Steelers fans are eager to see if this new air-it-out approach will result in victories when recent team history proved just the opposite. In 2003, coach Bill Cowher thought Tommy Maddox could pass the team to the playoffs, and the Steelers averaged only 93 yards rushing that season -- the only time in the past 40 years the team averaged fewer than 100 yards rushing -- en route to a 6-10 season.

Do different faces in different places mean a different result? Time will tell, but the Steelers' offense certainly is the big story heading into this Week 1 game against struggling rival Cleveland.

The Browns are a quarterback controversy in waiting -- Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson are battling to keep the No. 1 spot warm while rookie hotshot Brady Quinn matures enough to take over. Quinn, despite a prolonged holdout, shined in preseason games but will hold the clipboard as Frye gets the first shot at running the club. It's unlikely that coach Romeo Crennel will throw the rookie Quinn into the NFL fire against an early-season schedule featuring many of the league's top defenses. That said, we all know Quinn will be starting by Halloween.

Steelers Keys For Success

1. Control the line of scrimmage. Even with a revamped offensive line, the Steelers will be a run-first offense. For Willie Parker to succeed, the Steelers must control the line. Look for Parker runs to set up Ben Roethlisberger passes in Week 1, so Pittsburgh will do its best to establish the run early. Look for the team to use two-tight end sets to force Browns outside linebackers Antwan Peek and Kamerion Wimbley near the line, allowing the blockers to more easily engage them and free up Parker to reach the corner.

2. Protect Roethlisberger. With more of an emphasis on the passing game this season, the Steelers' offensive linemen will be asked to play more of a finesse game. Protection will be key, not only to allow Roethlisberger time to go through his new progressions but also to keep him healthy.

3. Blitz Charlie Frye from the outside. In two games against Pittsburgh, both losses, Frye has been fairly effective, completing almost 55 percent of his attempts. However, he was sacked 13 times in those two games. Frye is mobile and can run away from pressure when flushed out of the pocket. Look for Pittsburgh to blitz from both edges, forcing him to stand in and take the sack or short step and rush his throws.

Browns Keys For Success

1. Establish the run with Jamal Lewis. Lewis was hoping for a long-term contract but instead got a one-year show-me sort of deal with Cleveland. In Week 1, he is sure to get plenty of chances to prove his worth because the Browns will look to establish the run and keep Frye out of difficult third-and-long situations.

2. Throw more to tight end Kellen Winslow. The Steelers will create pressure with multiple blitz schemes, particularly on third down. Frye must have a plan for getting rid of the ball, and Option 1 should be to hit Winslow on seam routes. With outside linebackers James Harrison and Clark Haggans likely blitzing and safety Troy Polamalu roving around, there should be space in the middle of the field.

3. Force Roethlisberger to win the game. The Browns' 3-4 defense is built to stop the run. If Wimbley and Peek can string out perimeter runs, it will create third-and-long passing situations for Roethlisberger. The Browns' blitz schemes will look to force Roethlisberger into quick throws and bad decisions, something he struggled with last season.

When the Steelers Have the Ball

RUNNING GAME

It all starts with taking control at the line of scrimmage for the Steelers. With a revamped offensive line, the Steelers will remain a run-first offense. For feature back Willie Parker to be effective, the Steelers must control the line. This also will open up the passing lanes and give the Browns and Steelers fans a look at the new passing schemes.

The Steelers' offense must find a rhythm early against the Browns. They will work to get Parker in open field. The Browns will counter with run blitzes to force the issue. Pittsburgh will work inside trap plays, taking advantage of left guard Alan Faneca and his ability to get both down the line and downfield. By using two tight ends, the Steelers can seal off the inside with Faneca leading Parker into room to run.

The Browns must be physical on contact and jam the Steelers' tight ends. In addition, nose tackle Ted Washington must get a push. Washington can be a force on early downs by bull rushing an offense. Washington must help to reroute the Steelers' guards, creating a pileup in the backfield.

The Steelers will use Parker on inside runs attacking the heart of the Browns' defense. Fullback Dan Kreider will isolate on inside linebacker D'Qwell Jackson. Kreider is a force on contact and Parker will cut off his block. Parker will work to get into open field and the Browns must protect the backside. Advantage: Steelers.

PASSING GAME

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger appears to be back to his 2005 ways. Injury-free for the first time in months, the Steelers and new offensive coordinator Bruce Arians have installed a more dynamic passing scheme.

Using play-action, the Steelers will attack the Browns on smash routes with veteran wide receiver Hines Ward. Ward will clear out the underneath, putting second-year wide receiver Santonio Holmes in man coverage on the outside. Holmes is very fast and athletic and the Steelers feel they have an advantage when they stretch the field with him. The Browns will counter playing man free over the top, hoping Roethlisberger will throw into double coverage. Roethlisberger will go through his progressions and if he reads man free, he must find Parker in the flats. The Steelers have a huge advantage getting Parker in open field. Using Ward underneath as a decoy, and running off the corner with Holmes, the Browns will try to cover Parker with an outside linebacker.

The Steelers will scheme to get that matchup, taking advantage of Parker's ability to make initial defenders miss. Advantage: Steelers.

THE BLITZ

Steelers top tight end Heath Miller is athletic and underrated physically. Roethlisberger must read blitz during his pre-snap read. Once he finds the hot spot, Miller must work past the jam at the line of scrimmage and find the open area.

Ward must also be keen on pre-snap and if he reads pressure from the edge, he must get off the line quickly and run a slant. With the Browns working to defend Parker in the flats, the Browns must be careful not to get picked by Ward slanting to the inside. Advantage: Steelers.

IN THE RED ZONE

Pittsburgh will attack the heart of the Browns' defense with Kreider isolating on the first opposing jersey he reaches. Parker must run low and hard and cover up the ball. In years past the Steelers have used a bigger back in the red zone. This year's scheme gives Parker more chances near the goal line.

The Steelers will use play-action using Parker as a decoy and working Miller inside and Ward to the boundary. The Browns' linebackers must stay patient and not get picked off by Steelers receivers running crossing routes. Advantage: Steelers.

When the Browns Have the Ball

RUNNING GAME

Former Ravens running back Jamal Lewis was hoping for a long-term deal with the Browns but instead gets a chance to try to reprove himself. Once an elite ballcarrier, the Browns are hoping Lewis can revive his career on a team searching for offensive answers. In Week 1 against Pittsburgh, Lewis and the rest of the Browns have drawn a tough task.

The Steelers will challenge quarterback Charlie Frye by bringing heat. Their defense is constantly on the move and getting a pre-snap read will be difficult for Frye. The Browns will focus on establishing the line of scrimmage using Lewis to pound the ball directly at Steelers nose tackle Casey Hampton. On first down, the Browns must get positive yards from Lewis to consistently set up a workable second down.

The key to the Browns' success against the Steelers will be Frye making a successful pre-snap read and getting Lewis to the area vacated by Pittsburgh's blitz. It's imperative that the Browns' front five get a push. Both Hampton and defensive end Aaron Smith are quick off the ball. The Browns must get a push. Advantage: Steelers.

PASSING GAME

Frye has played OK against the Steelers in the past. The Browns feel they have a huge advantage with tight end Kellen Winslow. Pittsburgh's linebackers run well, but Winslow provides an elite athletic talent with whom Frye can work against an aggressive defense. With No. 1 wide receiver Braylon Edwards on the outside and Winslow underneath, the Steelers will be challenged, particularly when they blitz their cornerbacks off the edge.

The Steelers will push Frye to play fast by bringing heat off the edge. Frye must have an accurate pre-snap read and get rid of the ball to Winslow on a hot route. Winslow will be jammed off the line of scrimmage on virtually every play. He must fight through the traffic and find open spots in the linebacker level.

The Steelers' starting cornerbacks are unsettled as DeShea Townsend and Bryant McFadden have been battling for a spot. Frye must stretch the field on the left side with Edwards. The Browns feel they have an advantage in this matchup. By stretching the field and attacking the Steelers over the top, the Browns also will isolate Winslow on underneath and flat routes. Advantage: Steelers.

THE BLITZ

The Steelers will bring extra heat on most plays. Frye must recognize from where the pressure is coming. If he's feeling pressure from the "A" gaps, he must check off to a hot route. If the pressure is coming from the edge, he has running play options.

The Browns must be focused on pre-snap reads and Frye can't just focus in on Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu. Polamalu moves around continually and disguises from where he's attacking. Frye must observe the Steelers front three and run checkoffs accordingly. Advantage: Steelers.

IN THE RED ZONE

The Steelers will continue to pressure the Browns in the red zone. The Browns must play physical and win at the line of scrimmage. By getting a push against the Steelers' aggressive front, Lewis can work to find the seams. The goal is to keep the Steelers off balance with both Lewis and Winslow.

The Browns will use play-action fakes to Lewis and working the seams with Winslow. Using a nickel defense is an option for the Steelers. If the Browns read nickel, look for a bigger dose of Lewis. Advantage: Browns.

The Bottom Line

Pittsburgh didn't show its hand much in preseason, but the new balanced attack is sure to test a Cleveland defense still developing. The Browns will struggle to establish the run against the Steelers' tough front seven, and Pittsburgh will pressure Frye into enough mistakes to win the game.

Pick: Steelers 24, Browns 14