Offensive yards were hard to come by in a typical Browns-Steelers game. (Pittsburgh Steelers)
You must have an active subscription to read this story.
Click Here to subscribe Now!
Editor's note: Tony Grossi is an analyst of the Cleveland Browns for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
PITTSBURGH, PA
Instant takeaways from Browns 27-14 loss to Pittsburgh Steelers …
1. It’s official: Prior to the game, CBS announcer Jim Nantz informed me of the crazy route the Browns could take to the playoffs. They had less than a 1% chance, and Nantz had it figured out. It had to start with a win over the Steelers and, of course, that didn’t come close to happening. The Browns’ 21st consecutive regular-season loss in Pittsburgh, 27-14, finally, mercifully, eliminated them from the playoffs and secured another double-digit loss season. They fell to 3-10 with a putrid effort that included arguably Jameis Winston’s worst game of the year, two more missed field goals by Dustin Hopkins, and a relatively quiet outing by Myles Garrett. (Garrett did have a fumble recovery and sack in the closing minutes.) The Browns’ points were scored on a 35-yard Jerry Jeudy touchdown catch early and a garbage-time 15-yard TD catch by David Njoku. Clearly, the Steelers made significant defensive adjustments from the Browns’ 24-19 win in Cleveland 2 ½ weeks ago. The Steelers avoided the series sweep by the Browns and cruised to 10-3 behind Russell Wilson’s two TD passes. The Steelers didn’t even need hot-head receiver George Pickens, who was a late scratch because of a hamstring injury.
2. Give him four: Winston managed to get to his over-under number of four – combined TDs and INTs – with the game decided by the fourth quarter. In the final quarter, Winston tossed one TD and one INT, giving him two and two on the afternoon. In his six starts, Winston now has 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions. A year ago, Joe Flacco made six starts in the regular season and had 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Winston was 24 of 41 for 211 yards and a 68.2 passer rating.
3. That’s a wrap: In the midst of his worst game in six starts, Winston managed to cross mid-field after a Russell Wilson-to-Van Jefferson 10-yard TD pass upped the Pittsburgh lead to 20-7. But at the Pittsburgh 49 and needing 1 yard for the first down, the Browns’ short-yardage run game failed them. From a Jerome Ford-Nick Chubb backfield offset to his right, Winston handed to Ford with left guard Joel Bitonio and tight end Blake Whiteheart leading the blocking. Linebacker Elandon Roberts knifed through the blockers and tackled Ford for a 5-yard loss. Wilson needed only five plays to increase the Pittsburgh lead to 27-7 on a 20-yard TD toss to tight end Pat Freiermuth breaking past safety Grant Delpit. Ballgame.
4. Womp, womp: The first half ended on a deflating note for the Browns when Dustin Hopkins missed a 38-yard field wide left with 23 seconds to go. Then on the Browns’ first possession of the second half, Hopkins missed from 43 yards wide right. So last year’s hero continued his dismal season. Hopkins has missed six of his last nine attempts and dropped to 16 of 25 overall. The second miss wasted a 61-yard kickoff return by Jerome Ford to open the second half.
5. Deliver us: Winston had a rough first half (8 of 19, 91 yards) except for a 35-yard TD pass to Jerry Jeudy. He was intercepted in the second quarter on a short throw for Nick Chubb in a compact area populated by linemen from both teams. Defensive tackle Keeanu Benton clawed the ball from above him for the interception. The Steelers capitalized with a 1-yard touchdown run by Najee Harris after Greg Newsome extended the drive with a pass interference penalty guarding Calvin Austin. Chris Boswell added two field goals for the Steelers, including one from 54 yards that barely floated over the crossbar.
6. Say Watt: T.J. Watt set the tone on the first play from scrimmage when he beat Jack Conklin off the snap and buried Chubb for a 5-yard loss. After a sack on third down by Alex Highsmith, the Browns had to punt in three plays after netting minus-12 yards. The Steelers pounded Harris for one first down, but the Browns’ defense held to force a short Boswell field goal.
7. OK, calm down: The Browns were able to settle things offensively on their next series. They did so with a couple 7-yard runs by Ford and Chubb, and a 20-yard completion to Elijah Moore. Winston survived a near interception by safety Damontae Kazee and then connected on third down with Jeudy for a 35-yard touchdown. Winston did a good job moving out of the pocket and throwing a perfect ball on the move to Jeudy, who slipped past the secondary. At 7-3, Browns, Acrisure Stadium got very quiet.
8. Flop city: Winston executed an exaggerated flop to draw a roughing-the-passer penalty in the first quarter. Alex Highsmith hit him from the blind side and immediately opened his arms and let him go. Winston demonstrably crumbled to the ground to draw the flag. Got Tomlin and the crowd incensed, but Browns had to punt, anyway.
9. Hey Toney: The long-anticipated debut of Kadarius Toney as a punt returner finally materialized. Toney looked competent with returns of 14, 11 and 19 yards in the first half. Toney fumbled away a punt in the fourth quarter with the game decided.
10. Pre-game notes: The Steelers surprised everyone by making receiver George Pickens inactive. He was limited with a hamstring injury on Friday, but all reports indicated he would play. Big loss for them. The Browns elected to make receivers Michael Woods and Toney active over rookie Jamari Thrash. Other inactives besides Thrash: quarterback Bailey Zappe, receiver Cedric Tillman, running back D’Onta Foreman, cornerback Chigozie Anusiem, defensive tackle Sam Kamara, and defensive end James Houston.