Cleveland v. Steelers: The Matchups

It is easy to be lulled into the belief that the Steelers are headed into a game that should be a walkover; however given the struggles that both the offense and defense had last week, the hope here is that the team comes out focused, and playing as though playoffs were beginning this Sunday rather than in two weeks.

With visions of a Steelers victory dancing in our heads, we give you this week's numbers.

Cleveland Offense v. Steelers Defense
Average total yards per game: Cleveland offense 31st (257.3) v. Steelers defense 1st (244.7)

Average net rushing yards per game: Cleveland offense 25th (99.7) v. Steelers defense 2nd (78.5)

Average net passing yards per game: Cleveland offense 30th (157.6) v. Steelers defense 1st (166.1)

Average points per game: Cleveland offense 29th (15.5) v. Steelers defense 2nd (14.9)

Steelers Offense v. Cleveland Defense
Average total yards per game: Steelers offense 23rd (308.1) v. Cleveland defense 26th (355.7)

Average net rushing yards per game: Steelers offense 24th (100.8) v. Cleveland defense 29th (150.3)

Average net passing yards per game: Steelers offense 16th (207.3) v. Cleveland defense 12th (205.3)

Average points per game: Steelers offense: 22nd (21.1) v. Cleveland defense 14th (21.3)

Special Teams
Average yards per punt return: Cleveland 21st (8.4) v. Steelers 31st (6.2)

Average yards allowed per punt return: Cleveland 10th (7.8) v. Steelers 4th (6.0)

Average yards per kick return: Cleveland 14th (23.2) v. Steelers 29th (20.2)

Average yards allowed per kick return: Cleveland 18th (23.2) v. Steelers 1st (19.3)

Net yardage punting average: Cleveland 8th (38.8) v. Steelers 24th (35.8)

Opponent net yardage punting average: Cleveland 3rd (34.1) v. Steelers 19th (38.0)

Miscellaneous
Turnover differential: Cleveland 6th (+6) v. Steelers 12th (+3)

Time of possession: Cleveland 30th (27:36) v. Steelers 9th (31:23)

Red Zone touchdown efficiency (touchdowns): Cleveland 30th (36.8%) v. Steelers 13th (54.3%)

Red Zone defense (touchdowns): Cleveland 11th (49.0%) v. Steelers 1st (33.3%)

Sacks allowed: Cleveland 7th (21) v. Steelers 30th (49)

Some Individual Numbers
AFC Passer rating: Ken Dorsey, Not Ranked (26.5) v. Ben Roethlisberger, 10th (80.8)

AFC Leading rushers: Jamal Lewis, 6th (908 yards) v. Willie Parker, 13th (673 yards)

AFC Leading receiver: Braylon Edwards, 26th (54 catches, 872 yards, 16.1 per catch, 3 touchdowns) v. Hines Ward, 9th (75 catches, 973 yards, 12.97 yards per catch, 7 touchdowns)

AFC Passes Dropped: Braylon Edwards, 1st (16) v. Hines Ward, 6th (7)

AFC Sack Leaders: Shaun Rogers, 28th (4.5) v. James Harrison, 2nd (16.0)

AFC Interception Leaders: Brandon McDonald, 4th (5, 1 touchdown) v. Troy Polamalu, 1t (7. 0 touchdowns)