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The debate over who’s the better pass rusher between linebacker T.J. Watt and defensive end Myles Garrett still hasn’t been settled. But it’s given quarterback Aaron Rodgers a quick way to think about how to turn things around this season for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Whether it works or not, we’ll see on game day.

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When asked how he plans to handle Garrett in the upcoming game against the Cleveland Browns, Rodgers said, “Get the ball out. For sure.” He further went on to praise the DE. “Myles is a Hall of Famer. He might not be in yet, but that’s where he’s going.”

Rodgers explained that this isn’t anything new for the team going up against players like Garett. “He’s one of the few players in the league, over my 21 years, that you game plan for,” he told the reporters. “You watch the film, every team has a plan.”

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He further added that the team will stick to the same game plan the New York Jets used to keep Watt in check. “When we played the Steelers last year with the Jets, our plan was to get four hands on T.J. Watt,” he said. “Every single play, and not let him dominate the game. His brother was the same when we played J.J… Myles is a special talent. He has been since his first year in the league, and he’s a game wrecker.”

Through five games this season, Garrett has recorded 4 sacks, 8 quarterback hits, and a forced fumble. Watt, meanwhile, has tallied 3 sacks, 6 QB hits, a forced fumble, and an interception in just four games.

Unsurprisingly, the Browns are also zeroed in on how to stop Rodgers. The Browns have limited three of the five opposing quarterbacks they’ve faced to fewer than Rodgers’ average of 196 passing yards per game. While Rodgers hasn’t been putting up massive yardage totals, he’s been exceptionally quick releasing the ball — leading the league with an average time to throw of just 2.52 seconds, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.

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The Browns’ defense has shown it can pressure Rodgers, having sacked Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz three times. However, Wentz’s quick release ultimately allowed him to outsmart them on the game’s final drive. Even then, that experience should prove valuable.

If the Browns’ secondary can slow down wide receiver DK Metcalf and the other receivers, it could open the door for the pass rush to get to Rodgers. It’s a tough task, but this will be key if Cleveland wants to beat the Steelers.

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As for the Steelers, Garett is the trouble. The QB was genuinely impressed by the DE as he laid out the strategy they’d be using. A healthy rivalry, but when it comes to the Steelers and Browns, things get a little more intense.

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Aaron Rodgers addressed the rivalry between the Steelers and the Browns

When asked about it, Rodgers explained that he had already asked linebacker Patrick Queen about the rivalry.

“In my own time in the NFC North, I think there was always a great rivalry with Chicago. Minnesota, the states kind of don’t like each other. There was more bad blood between the fans,” Rodgers said. “Detroit, there wasn’t the same type of energy. We wanted to beat them, but there wasn’t like the hatred that Wisconsin people had for Minnesota, or just the old school 100-year rivalry with big Chicago and little Green Bay. It seems like, with this, that kind of the rivalry is with the Browns and the hatred goes both ways between Steelers-Bengals and Steelers-Ravens.”

When asked to confirm if there was no hatred between the two teams, Rodgers replied, “Not according to PQ.”

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Well, hatred or not, the Steelers have had the upper hand against the Browns, with the all-time regular-season series record of 80-63-1, per clevelandbrowns.com. The Browns haven’t had much luck on the road, going just 21-51. Last season, the teams split their matchups and Cleveland beat the Steelers 24-19 in Week 12, but then fell 27-14 in Week 14.

The Browns will look to make a better start, and that begins with handling Rodgers, who has been sharp this season, completing 74 of 108 passes for 786 yards and eight touchdowns. After a record of 14 sacks and 27 quarterback hits in just the first five weeks, the Browns will look to put pressure on him.

Now, while the Steelers are coming prepared and with specific strategies, the Browns aren’t behind.

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