The Browns haven't faced the Steelers without Ben Roethlisberger since 2012, and the Steelers haven't faced Cleveland with either Josh McCown or Johnny Manziel behind center.
That's anticipated to change Sunday at Heinz Field. The exact nature of how, though, remains uncertain.
As it stands Monday, neither team has named a starting quarterback.
Roethlisberger left Pittsburgh's 38-35 win over the Oakland Raiders on Sunday with an injured foot. With various reports swirling about the time Roethlisberger is expected to miss, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has only revealed that Roethlisberger would receive an MRI.
Landry Jones, who has been in the NFL since 2013 but made his on-field debut this season, relieved Roethlisberger on Sunday and helped close out the victory with a 57-yard pass to Antonio Brown. He's come off the bench twice and started once this season, going 28-of-47 for 456 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Veteran Michael Vick started three games in place of Roethlisberger earlier this season but has been inactive since Roethlisberger returned.
The Browns last played the Steelers without Roethlisberger at quarterback in 2012. With Charlie Batch leading the Steelers offense, the Browns forced a whopping eight turnovers and beat Pittsburgh, 20-14, on Nov. 25, 2012.
The Browns, meanwhile, will make a decision between McCown and Manziel in the coming days.
With McCown out because of rib and shoulder injuries, Manziel made his second start of the season last week at Cincinnati. He was a spark in the first half, throwing for 128 of his 168 yards in the first 30 minutes, but struggled with the rest of Cleveland's offense in the second half in the 31-10 loss.
When coach Mike Pettine talked with reporters Friday, he was uncertain about McCown's status from a health standpoint. That should come into clarity in the coming days, as Cleveland returns to practice Tuesday after a long weekend.
"We'll make the decision each week based on, as I've said all along, who gives us the best opportunity to win," Pettine said.
