Mike Tomlin doesn't expect tensions to rekindle between Steelers, Browns

Considering the way the Pittsburgh Steelers’ previous game against the Cleveland Browns ended — with Myles Garrett swinging Mason Rudolph’s helmet at the quarterback’s unprotected head — it’s reasonable for the NFL to take preventive measures to ensure tempers don’t flare Sunday when the teams meet again at Heinz Field.

The rematch is five days away, but coach Mike Tomlin said he has not heard from NFL officials concerned about dousing any ill feelings between the teams.

He doesn’t expect to, either.

“I’m not looking for anything,” Tomlin said at his weekly news conference. “We’re playing and playing to win. Part of playing to win is playing hard and smart and not beating yourselves. We are going to paint inside those white lines, I promise you.”

Tomlin also delivered an emphatic “no” when he was asked whether precautions need to be put in place during pregame warmups.

Garrett and fellow defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi were ejected with eight seconds remaining, as was Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey for fighting with Garrett. All three players were suspended, and only Ogunjobi will be on the field Sunday for the rematch.

“We’ve got a lot of respect for their talent — 6-5 (Ogunjobi) coming back is going to be significant because he’s a good player,” Tomlin said. “The focus is on us and how we perform and how we put our collection together.”

Tomlin did refer to the Week 13 matchup as a “hot-button” game but primarily because of playoff implications. At 6-5, the Steelers are the No. 6 seed in the AFC playoff race. The Browns (5-6) are a game behind but have won three in a row.

“We love being in hotly contested AFC North games,” he said. “To be quite honest, we’re not a group that runs from these type of games. We’re the type of group that runs to these type of games.”

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