By Ray Porter Jr. byUrban Media Today
CLEVELAND, OH–Perhaps the most glaring fact about the Steelers’ latest Thursday Night Upset loss to the Cleveland Browns is that it was not just predicted; many folks feared it would happen and called it the legendary trap game.
Meaning: a game where a highly ranked team plays against a lesser opponent, and everyone expects the higher-ranked team to win. After beating the Baltimore Ravens 18-16, the concerns started pouring in that the 8-2 Steelers were due for a letdown vs. the 2-8 Browns, and the concerns proved to be prophetic as the Steelers fell to the Browns 24-19 in the snow, winds at Huntington Bank Field.
“First, I’d like to start by complimenting the Cleveland Browns. I thought they brought it tonight. It was a hard-fought game,” said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. “They made more plays over the course of sixty minutes than we did.”
The Browns weren’t perfect (3 offensive turnovers), but they were indeed charged up in front of their fans and made the necessary plays when needed. QB Jameis Winston wasn’t perfect statistically (18/27 219 yards, INT), but he was perfect on 4th down conversions and 4 scoring drives that stunned the Steelers. In the first half, Winston’s scoring drives resulted in a TD by RB Nick Chubb (20 carries, 59 yards) and an FG by K Dustin Hopkins, which easily erased an earlier FG by Steelers K Chris Boswell that gave them a 3-0 lead. Boswell had missed an earlier FG to begin the game.
On defense, the Browns kept the pressure on Steelers QB Russell Wilson as they sacked him 4 times (DE Myles Garrett with 3 and a strip-fumble). But what also hurt the Steelers for the second straight game were the penalties and blown 4th down conversion attempts.
“Obviously, we have to own our portions of it. Particularly early on, I thought it took us too long to warm up to the action,” Tomlin said. “We were penalized– some pre-snap penalties. [We] just weren’t really sharp. We got going; our guys fought, but it wasn’t enough to secure victory.”
And in the 2nd half, the Steelers did get going as Wilson led the team on 2 scoring drives (TD by Jaylen Warren). When he found WR Calvin Austin III for a 23-yard TD pass (2-point conversion failed), the Steelers had a 19-18 lead in the 4th quarter. When CB Donte Jackson intercepted Winston, giving the Steelers the ball with under 6 minutes to play, it appeared that they were going to put an end to their Thursday Night Football futility until they didn’t.
The Steelers were forced to punt, and P Corliss Waitman’s 15-yard punt put the Browns in scoring position as the snow continued to fall. And Winston led them right down the field, and Chubb’s 2nd TD of the game gave the Browns a 24-19 lead. Wilson (21/28 270 yards, TD) and the Steelers did their best to deliver on a game-winning drive, but the Steelers QB’s Hail Mary attempt was batted down by the Browns, Game over.
The Steelers did what they could in the 2nd half, but they know their first half wasn’t their best work.
“Again, that’s what I’m talking about when I say it took us too long to warm up to the action.” Said Tomlin. “They brought it, and they brought it instantly early on. I thought we settled down and got competitive, but as you mentioned, it produced some negativity, particularly in the first half.”
The Steelers will now go on a mini-bye before preparing to travel to face another AFC North foe, the Cincinnati Bengals, on December 1st. This will give them plenty of time to shake off this disappointing loss and prepare for December football with playoff hopes on their minds.
“It’s painful, but it’s life in this business. We’ll take a look at the tape and learn from it,” Tomlin commented. “We’re in the midst of some thick AFC North action, so no rest for the weary. We’ve got a big one coming up. But again, compliment the Browns on bringing it, particularly early on. It took us too long to warm up to the action.”
Notes: The Steelers and Browns will face each other again in the rematch on December 12th at Acrisure Stadium.
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