Just two months ago, it seemed rather unlikely that the two games in January of 2023 would mean much of anything for the 2022 version of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Sitting at 3-7 following a frustrating 37-30 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisrue Stadium, the Steelers seemed down and out for the season overall. Instead, the Steelers galvanized under longtime head coach Mike Tomlin and ripped off a 5-1 run to reach 8-8, making the Week 18 matchup against the AFC North rival Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium on the North Shore Sunday at 1 p.m. meaningful in couple of ways.