The AFC North season opener for the Steelers on Sunday promises a return to what has made the AFC North what it is: a physical encounter against a physical opponent.

And in the Cleveland Browns, the Steelers will face the NFL's No. 1-ranked run defense in both yards allowed per game (75.6) and per carry (3.0).

Mike Tomlin hopes his Steelers continue the progression that resulted in their best rushing performance by far this season against the Vikings in Dublin.

"We'd better block them," Tomlin said of facing the Browns. "We'd better run hard, finish off runs; better have a finisher's attitude in terms of which direction the pile falls.

"They're elite in terms of run-stopping. So, what does that mean? That means we've got to be solid. We can't have unblocked people. But beyond that, we'

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