The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns clash in an AFC North showdown. The Browns just traded away Joe Flacco, committing to their two rookie quarterbacks. The Steelers are 3-1 and coming off a bye, and with a win, they’d be sitting pretty in the AFC playoff picture.

The Steelers owned this game from start to finish. Once they went up 9-0 in the second quarter, there was never really much hope for the Browns, who eventually fell to 1-5 with a 23-9 loss to their AFC North rivals.

Here were my takeaways from Sunday’s game.

Need to see Dillon Gabriel unleashed

Since taking over as the Browns’ QB1, Dillon Gabriel has been fine. He’s thrown for 411 yards and two touchdowns, but the play calling has been very safe, and it feels like he’s playing not to throw an interception instead of playing to score a touchdown.

Not all of that is his fault. Like I said, some of that is because the play calling has been very safe, but if they really want to see what they have in him, they need to let him sling it around the field, even if he makes some mistakes and turns it over. When you’re 1-5, you have no hope at the playoffs, so might as well let him throw it around the yard and see what you have in him.

Give Kaleb Johnson some more carries

The Steelers spent some premium draft capital on rookie running back Kaleb Johnson, but he hasn’t factored into the Steelers’ offense as much as many thought. Coming into the week, Johnson had just eight carries on the season, but with Pittsburgh’s rushing issues, maybe he should start seeing more playing time.

Johnson wasn’t great in his limited time today (15 yards), but neither was Jaylen Warren (52 yards). I’m not saying Johnson needs to be RB1; Warren should continue to hold that title, but I think they should give him some more carries and see what he has, because he was electric in college.

DK Metcalf should’ve had so much more

DK Metcalf had a big game today, catching four balls for 95 yards and a touchdown against the Browns, but it should’ve been so much more.

Metcalf was getting behind the defense all afternoon, but Aaron Rodgers just missed him on a couple of throws that easily could’ve added 75 more yards and a touchdown to his total. If they connected on those two throws, Metcalf easily could’ve hit the 150-yard, two-touchdown mark.

Metcalf has proven to be a very important pickup for the Steelers thus far. He’s now up to 19 receptions, 356 yards, and four touchdowns through five games. If the Steelers are going to make a deep playoff push, Metcalf is going to have to be a big part of it.

Harold Fannin could be the next great tight end

In his final year of college, Harold Fannin Jr. caught 117 passes for 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns. I know it was for Bowling Green, but you don’t just do that by accident. You have to be a very, very good player to record those types of stats, no matter the level of competition you’re playing. And somehow, he slipped to the Browns in the third round.

Fannin was a popular waiver addition in fantasy after his nine-catch, 63-yard debut, but he has cooled off since then. However, his connection with Gabriel was on full display today, with the two hooking up seven times for 81 yards. He led the Browns in receiving and was one of the few bright spots on their offense.

I’m not saying Fannin is going to be Rob Gronkowski or Travis Kelce, but he’s going to be a great tight end. He’s such a smooth route runner who is also able to make contested catches downfield. He’s a rookie quarterback’s best friend, so I’d expect to see a lot more big games from him as the year progresses.

Aaron Rodgers isn’t the same guy we knew, but he’s what the Steelers need

Aaron Rodgers may not be the same quarterback we all came to know when he was with Green Bay, but he’s been exactly what the Steelers needed.

Through six games, Rodgers has thrown for 1,021 yards and 10 touchdowns to three interceptions. The Steelers have always had a great defense. They didn’t need a Josh Allen or Dak Prescott who can throw for 300+ yards (though that would be nice). They just needed someone who could manage the offense and help them score 20+, and that’s exactly what he’s done.

Will it be enough in January to help them get wins? I’m not sure, but for now, he’s doing enough to help the Steelers be in a position to win every week.