The Pittsburgh Steelers didn\u2019t play any divisional opponents in their first four games, but that changes in a big way over the next two weeks. The Steelers get their first crack at the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals just a few days apart. Both teams are trending in a much worse direction than the Steelers are right now, which makes Steelers insider Mark Kaboly think it would be a massive disappointment if Pittsburgh doesn\u2019t win both games.<\/p>\n
\u201cPut it this way: If they lose one of these next two games, it\u2019s a colossal failure in my book,\u201d Kaboly wrote Thursday in his mailbag on X<\/a>. \u201cThe Browns and Bengals stink. Period\u2026There will be some hiccups, but it just can\u2019t be these next two games. That will be unacceptable.\u201d<\/p>\n Steelers trading for WR2, Mike Tomlin haters remain quiet, and some serious trust issues with fans<\/p>\n Mark Kaboly \/ Steelers Correspondent PITTSBURGH \u2014 The stat was so good, I just have to repurpose it for this piece: If the Steelers beat the Browns on\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/6WVOhtSqU9<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) October 9, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n After the Steelers play the Browns Sunday, it will be a quick turnaround as they head to Cincinnati next Thursday night. Divisional games can get weird, especially on Thursday nights, but that really is a game the Steelers should win. Cincinnati is without Joe Burrow, and while Joe Flacco may be a slight upgrade over Jake Browning, this defense shouldn\u2019t have any issues. The Bengals have given up 49, 28 and 37 points in the last three weeks, so that\u2019s an opportunity for the Steelers\u2019 offense to really make some progress.<\/p>\n However, the Browns could be more of a challenge<\/a>. For one, they have arguably the best defense in the league. They\u2019re stout against both the run and pass, both areas in which the Steelers are still looking to be more consistent. They start Dillon Gabriel, who doesn\u2019t have a lot of professional experience, at quarterback. That helps Pittsburgh\u2019s veteran defense but also gives them less professional film to go off of.<\/p>\n NFL games are played for a reason, and something surprising happens every week. The Browns just knocked off the Packers, and the Steelers have lost trap games before.<\/p>\n Still, Kaboly is largely right that it would be considered a failure if the Steelers lose either of their next two games. Pittsburgh is 3-1, but with a couple of unresounding wins. These two weeks give them a chance to finally build some consistency<\/a> before their schedule gets much harder. It\u2019s paramount that the Steelers start by handling the Browns at home on Sunday.<\/p>\n
For The @PatMcAfeeShow<\/a><\/p>\n