CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ben Roethlisberger threw a bouquet at the Browns Wednesday instead of his usual shade.

"That's a really good defense," Roethlisberger said Wednesday during his locker room availability when asked about Joe Haden not being with the Browns anymore. "That team is going to surprise a lot of people. I'm glad we played them game one."

Roethlisberger, improved to 21-2 against the Browns with a 21-18 victory on Sunday, will see the Browns again in the season finale in Pittsburgh on Dec. 31, and the Browns should have Myles Garrett (ankle) on hand in that game to ring in the New Year.

Still, the Browns' defense held Big Ben's offense to just two touchdowns, with the third coming on a blocked punt on the Browns' opening drive. They also held Le'Veon Bell to just 32 yards on 10 carries and emerged from the game tied with Dallas as the No. 1 rush defense in the NFL.

The Steelers also hurt themselves with 13 penalties for 144 yards, but Roethlisberger still gave the Browns their just due.

"We stopped ourselves a lot, but give them credit,'' he said after the game. "They're a good defense. It's fun to come to Cleveland and see the sun, warmth and a packed house. I enjoyed the Dawg Pound's new wall down there. It was neat to see. We give them credit, they're a good defense, got after us and showed a lot of confusing stuff. We got penalized and kicked our own butts a little bit."

The scrappiness of the Browns' defense was not lost on Ravens coach John Harbaugh, who's preparing for it this week.

"Obviously, Coach (Gregg) Williams is putting his stamp on the defense, and it's a very effective stamp," said Harbaugh. "They're buying in, and they're playing really well. As far as the tide turning, I don't know if I would put it in those terms because we've had knockdown, drag-out battles with the Cleveland Browns. We've always respected all of the teams the Browns have had in the whole time that I've been here.

"This is a proud organization with a very hard-playing team with a bunch of tough players. We respect them, and we always have and no less so now. They are doing a great job there, and we respect them a lot."

Ravens QB Joe Flacco has also noticed he'll have a battle on his hands.

"I thought they did a really good job limiting the run game,'' he said. "I know the Steelers like to throw a lot of quick screens and throw the ball, but they did a really good job, trying to tire people out, giving them different looks that they probably haven't seen before, stopping the run game.

"They play aggressively, and when you turn on the tape, you can definitely see that. When you're running to the ball and flying to the ball and doing those kind of things, that is what leads to good defense at the end of the day."

If all goes as planned, Roethlisberger will be even more impressed when Garrett is added to the mix. He said Monday that he'll 'be a boost' for the defense when he returns from his high ankle sprain.