Todd Monken has Cleveland preparing for a demanding divisional matchup after two straight wins. The Browns opened the season with a 34-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars before responding with victories over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers.

The short week has left little time for the Browns to prepare for Pittsburgh. However, the team’s approach has suggested it can handle the physical demands that await them.

While speaking on ESPN Cleveland’s The Really Big Show, Aaron Goldhammer discussed with Tony Rizzo whether Monken could bring enough physicality to help the Browns “bully the Steelers” back. He answered his own question with a firm affirmation.

Rizzo agreed with Goldhammer and expanded on his point, stressing the intensity he expects from Thursday night’s matchup:

“It's going to be a very physical game, OK? But I feel like the Browns can match them in physicality.”

Rizzo also recalled what Monken demanded from the team earlier in the week, quoting the Browns coach directly:

“Short week — short week of work, I want to see some freaking work getting put in in the next two days.”

That approach could help Cleveland enter Thursday night ready for the physical battle ahead.

Cleveland has overcome a rough start to reach 2-1.

Cleveland’s opening loss exposed plenty of issues, but the Browns have steadied themselves since then. They edged Tampa Bay 23-19 before beating Carolina 21-18 in Week 3.

Deshaun Watson threw two touchdown passes in each victory, while Cleveland’s defense made crucial late stops against Carolina. The Browns also produced a season-high 132 rushing yards in that game.

Now, the Steelers present a tougher divisional test, with Cleveland looking to carry that recent momentum into Week 4.

Written by

Sayantan