Steelers Wrap-up – Browns Remain Hopeless in Pittsburgh

In a rematch of several weeks ago in Cleveland when the Browns upset the Pittsburgh Steelers, the second time around had a vastly different result. Winning by a score of 27-14, the Steelers sent the Browns a clear message…don’t bother playing Pittsburgh on their field.

Since Mike Tomlin took over as head coach in 2007, the Browns have come to the ‘Burgh 19 times with all but one coming in the regular season and Pittsburgh has won every game. The one loss was in the playoffs in Pittsburgh in 2021. But in the regular season Tomlin holds a 18-0 record when facing Cleveland on his turf. 

When playing Cleveland however, it’s a different story. The Steelers have lost the last three games there and Tomlin’s record on the road against the Browns is 9-8 with a tie in 2018. With this latest victory at Acrisure Stadium, Browns defender Myles Garrett did not like the fans chanting “Cleveland sucks” and was angry about it following the game. He mentioned something about next season and the Steelers playing in Cleveland. Dude…that’s a long way off and while you are sitting at home watching other teams in the playoffs, the Pittsburgh Steelers will be right in the thick of it.

As for the victory over Cleveland improving Pittsburgh’s record to 10-3, it also pushed the Baltimore Ravens to a full two games back in the AFC North. The Steelers are inching closer to winning the division again and that would be an amazing accomplishment coming off last season’s results. It’s incredible how much Mike Tomlin improved this team with the free agent signings, draft picks, and bringing Arthur Smith onboard who is leaps and bounds better than Matt Canada was.

While Russell Wilson had a field day in Cincinnati, his numbers were much different in the Browns game. Consider though that the Cleveland defense is far better than what the Bengals bring to the field. Still, Russ had a solid 101.1 rating, and his stats were modest with 158 yards passing with just one sack and he didn’t throw an interception. An exceptionally clean game that included two touchdown passes. 

Without George Pickens who had a hamstring pull and sat the game out, Wilson made the most of the tools he had to the outside of him. Nine different players caught passes with Pat Freiermuth leading the way with three receptions and 48 yards but more importantly, one was for six. Rarely used Scotty Miller was a factor with three more catches and he matched “Muth” with a long reception of 21 yards. Mike Williams caught a 22 yarder among his equal three receptions. 

While the running game didn’t go wild, there was still 120 yards rushing between Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, and Russell Wilson. Cordarrelle Patterson got four carries but only three yards. Let’s talk defense. This is where the Steelers have a legitimate shot at reaching the Super Bowl. It’s always been defense but over the years we did have some potent offensive weapons. However, since Ben Roethlisberger retired, the offense has been listless. That is until now. 

Facing Cleveland for the second time in less than a month presented a dramatic difference. In Cleveland, the ‘D failed to make critical stops. Not this time. The Steelers defense sacked Jameis Winson three times. They intercepted him twice with Keeanu Benton making an incredible pick. James Pierre had the other. Cameron Heyward continued his amazing season with two sacks and Alex Highsmith picking up the other. As I mentioned free agency signings, what a blessing DeShon Elliott has been as he turned in 13 tackles nine of them solo. Patrick Queen was the other valuable acquisition while he knocked down 10 Brownies, five of them on his own.

The Steelers defense hit Winston six times with those three sacks and had seven tackles for losses. The punting game continues to impress as Corliss Waitman may have earned the starting job for next season after a 52.3 average on the day that included a fumbled punt by Cleveland that the Steelers recovered. One of Waitman’s six punts went for 60 yards. 

As proof that stats don’t tell the whole story, Cleveland had 20 first downs to Pittsburgh’s 15. They also had 33 more yards on offense than did the Steelers (300-267). The Browns had more offensive plays, more passing yards, but lost the turnover game, thus the end result. A word about Chris Boswell. He has already earned the tag of greatest Steelers placekicker in history. Hands down not even close. This dude is a machine. “Mr. Automatic” ought to be his moniker. Another two field goals on this day with three successful extra points. He is setting all the Steelers kicking records and his career has a long way to go. Last Sunday his long was 54 yards, and he made it look easy. For those who mock the Steelers for not scoring touchdowns and only getting field goals, that might be the case on some days, but do you know what? If the other team isn’t scoring and we have Boswell lining up for a field goal, that’s three points every time.



We are down to four games left in the season and three of them are doozies. Next week is in Philadelphia for finding out who the best pro team in Pennsylvania is, then it’s a rematch with Baltimore on their field. Christmas Day brings in the world champion Chiefs who have been winning but barely. Then we close with the Bengals at home a game which might in the end mean nothing. 

Fasten your seatbelts Steelers Nation we are in for a very wild ride in December!