Browns vs. Steelers preview: Everything you need to know ahead of the wild card game

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Browns’ first NFL playoff look since 2002 kicks off at 8:15 tonight. In preparation for the AFC wild card recreation in primetime at Pittsburgh’s Heinz Subject, cleveland.com has you lined with this preview.

The sport will probably be broadcast nationally on NBC. Can’t make it to a TV? Radio stations 850-AM WKNR, 92.3-FM WKRK and 98.5-FM WNCX additionally will carry the sport. Click here for more information on how to watch.

Right here is an index of each story main as much as the sport

THE LATEST

⦁ Jack Conklin travels solo to Pittsburgh because of illness, while coaches drive separately and players fly.

⦁ Browns cleared Friday for first practice of the week.

⦁ Myles Garrett, Jack Conklin named to All-Pro team, while Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller are on second team.

⦁ Final predictions for Sunday night’s wild card game.

STATUS REPORTS

⦁ Denzel Ward, Kevin Johnson out, but Ronnie Harrison, Harrison Bryant and Malcolm Smith activated.

⦁ Donovan Peoples-Jones cleared from concussion protocol, Jack Conklin idle Friday with illness.

⦁ Only assistant offensive line coach Scott Peters tested positive Friday for COVID-19.

⦁ Ronnie Harrison tested positive Thursday, Andrew Sendejo activated.

⦁ Baker Mayfield hasn’t thrown a ball this week, but dismisses the impact of not having practice.

⦁ Practice canceled again Thursday in the wake of five positives on Tuesday.

⦁ B.J. Goodson activated Wednesday off the COVID-19 reserve list.

⦁ Coach Kevin Stefanski, Joel Bitonio, and three others were among this week’s initial positive COVID tests, leading to Mike Priefer to coach.

⦁ Nick Harris and Olivier Vernon placed Tuesday on IR.

FEATURES

⦁ Meet “The Stefandalorian,” aka Kevin Stefanski.

⦁ Meet “The Lockmaster,” aka Denzel Ward.

⦁ Meet “Sacku Strippararian,” aka Myles Garrett.

⦁ Meet “QB6,” aka Baker Mayfield.

⦁ Meet “Chubba the Hunt,” aka Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.

⦁ Case Keenum happy to have a front row seat for The Baker Mayfield Show: “There’s no telling what he can do.”

⦁ Where do Chubb and Hunt rank among the franchise’s all-time running back duos?

⦁ Expansion-era Browns fans finally have a playoff team to call their own.

⦁ Faith, loyalty and a generational passion for Cleveland football.

⦁ What can be learned from Mike Priefer’s 2016 head coaching performance with the Vikings?

VIEWS FROM PLUTO

⦁ What do we now know about Baker Mayfield that we didn’t 16 games ago?

⦁ If Browns win, it will be one of the biggest upsets in team history.

⦁ Sashi Brown’s fingerprints are on the Browns’ playoff team.

⦁ Should we start to feel better about the Browns’ chances?

⦁ No Stefanski? Fans are probably screaming that’s not fair.

FILM BREAKDOWNS AND ANALYSIS

⦁ How the Browns’ and Steelers’ grades compare this season.

⦁ Three ways the Browns can upset the Steelers.

⦁ Browns’ early passing game and three other things to watch.

⦁ Why the Browns aren’t running as much bootleg as in previous weeks.

⦁ How Kevin Stefanski will “call” some plays vs. the Steelers, even though he cannot be there Sunday night.

⦁ With Joel Bitonio sidelined, what are the Browns options at left guard?

ORANGE AND BROWN TALK PODCASTS

⦁ Who are the three key offensive and defensive players this week?

⦁ Browns face uphill battle, but not an impossible one.

⦁ Terry’s Talkin; about the Browns: Can they handle the Steelers without Kevin Stefanski?

⦁ Stefanski offered a calming presence in the Browns’ week of turmoil.

⦁ Diving into the vanishing Browns play action and safety duos.

⦁ Initial reaction from the Browns’ losing Stefanski, Bitonio and others for Sunday night.

⦁ Denzel Ward is vital to the Browns holding up on defense against Pittsburgh.

MORE COMMENTARY

⦁ Doug Lesmerises: The Browns are missing players, but what else is new?

⦁ Ohio State and the Browns in the playoffs together: Tears, dreams and joy for the fans of both.

⦁ Editorial: Browns chasing demons vs. Steelers, but due for a win.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

⦁ Jarvis Landry: “This is definitely one for Joel” Bitonio and “the mission is still the same” despite COVID-19 losses.

⦁ Defensive coordinator Joe Woods isn’t sure if Denzel Ward or Kevin Johnson will be activated.

⦁ Kevin Stefanski transcript from Friday.

⦁ Baker Mayfield transcript on Thursday.

⦁ Kevin Stefanski on not being able to coach virtually: “I know what the rules are, and I’ll follow them.”

⦁ Stefanski transcript from Wednesday.

⦁ Stefanski confident the Browns ill overcome his absence, saying, “We have to find a way.”

⦁ J.C. Tretter feels for Joel Bitonio missing his first playoff game.

WHAT ELSE COULD HAPPEN?

⦁ Dashcam video showed Westlake police stopping Jedrick Wills and Rashard Higgins on Tuesday morning.

MORE ON THE STEELERS

⦁ “Old man” Ben Roethlisberger relishes 22nd playoff start.

⦁ Myles Garrett says the Browns will try to prove JuJu Smith-Schuster wrong.

⦁ Best Browns-Steelers photos over the years.

POLLS

⦁ Prediction for the game.

⦁ How you ranked the Browns’ best running back duos of all time (survey results).

Browns playoffs shirts, hats on the market: Here’s where Cleveland Browns fans can order shirts and hats celebrating the staff qualifying for the 2020 NFL playoffs.