The Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 17 game against the Cleveland Browns may end up being meaningless depending on what happens Saturday night in Green Bay, but that isn’t stopping the TV networks from showing it in about half the country on Sunday.
Here is the broadcast map, per 506 Sports. The Steelers-Browns game will be shown in the areas marked red on the map.
If this game ends up meaningful for the AFC North, the Browns will hang their hat on trying to ruin the Steelers’ season. Denzel Ward already said that’s his plan. The other intrigue will be tracking Myles Garrett’s sack total. If he gets a half sack, he will be tied with T.J. Watt and Michael Strahan for the NFL single-season sack record. A full sack will break the record, which was originally set in 2001.
That will be something to track regardless of the Steelers’ playoff situation entering the game. It may be even more interesting if the Steelers have clinched the AFC North, as that would likely put Garrett’s old friend Mason Rudolph at quarterback. I say that sarcastically, of course, as Garrett attempted to kill Rudolph with a helmet swing several years ago in an infamous event.
The Steelers could end up with a good look at some of their less-used players like Kaleb Johnson and Roman Wilson if their playoff spot is already locked up.
If the Steelers are fighting for a playoff spot, they will do so without star WR DK Metcalf, who was suspended two games by the NFL for an altercation with a fan last Sunday.
This will be the third Steelers game called by Jim Nantz and Tony Romo in the last four weeks. While not my favorite broadcast duo, the continuity usually makes for a pretty good understanding of the team from the several production meetings over the last month.