RESTRAINT IS THE KEY FOR BROWNS

By STEVE KING

It’s a well-known fact that the Browns have committed enough penalties this season to choke an elephant.

It’s gotten better lately – a lot better, actually – but there’s still a long way to go. In fact, just two weeks ago, when the Browns dominated Pittsburgh to the tune of 21-7 on Thursday Night Football, the Steelers got their lone touchdown because of a litany of Cleveland penalties that accounted for almost all of their yards on a field-length drive.

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So, yeah, this problem is far from being fixed.

As such, then, the Steelers’ plan for Sunday is hardly a secret. With a third-string quarterback operating with a banged-up offensive unit, and a defensive unit that Baker Mayfield and Co. were able to solve in the first meeting, the Steelers will try to do everything they can to bait the Browns into committing penalties. Otherwise, the Browns will win easily again and sweep the season series and, with that, overtake Pittsburgh in the hunt for an AFC wild-card playoff berth.

That’s the last thing that head coach Mike Tomlin’s bunch wants, especially with the way the game in Cleveland ended. Yes, following that big-time wrestling-like fight without any faking, this rivalry is on again. It is definitely on.

Can the Browns resist taking the bait? Can they muster up enough restraint and self-discipline to turn the other cheek and walk away? Are they smart enough to understand that being unable to do so may well cost them dearly – as in defeat – in a game that can, for all intents and purposes, end their season instead of prolonging it?

I don’t know. I want to say “yes,” but I’m not sure.

It will be up to the Browns coaches to get this point across, and also to their players to pay attention to them.

It’s as simple as that.

But we’ll just have to wait and see.