By Mike DeFabo, Zac Jackson and Amos Morale III
Russell Wilson threw two landing passes within the third quarter and the Pittsburgh Steelers compelled key turnovers within the fourth quarter to beat the Cleveland Browns 27-14 on Sunday.
The Steelers led 13-7 heading into the third quarter in Pittsburgh (10-3) with Wilson and the offense pulling away with landing passes to receiver Van Jefferson and tight finish Pat Freiermuth to stretch the benefit to 27-7.
The Browns (3-10) minimize into the lead with a 15-yard landing move from quarterback Jameis Winston to tight finish David Njoku. Cleveland obtained the ball again on the next drive after forcing a Cordarrelle Patterson fumble that was recovered by Myles Garrett. Winston, nevertheless, had his move for Elijah Moore intercepted on the following Browns collection.
Pittsburgh sealed the win when Browns returner Kadarius Toney muffed a punt, permitting Pittsburgh’s Ben Skowronek to get well the free ball.
Steelers offense stumbles, then finishes robust
Steelers receiver George Pickens poured some gasoline on the Browns-Steelers rivalry over the past two weeks. At the top of a Week 12 loss, he obtained right into a wrestling match with Browns defensive again Greg Newsome. In the locker room afterward, the Steelers receiver instructed reporters: “I don’t actually suppose the Cleveland Browns are a great crew in any respect. I feel the situations kinda saved them right this moment.”
The lightning rod receiver, who was challenged by coach Mike Tomlin this week to “develop up,” continued to double down on his feedback and supply extra bulletin board materials this week. When requested about Newsome on Friday, Pickens stated, “I don’t even know who that’s.”
The stage gave the impression to be set for a spicy rematch. Instead, Pickens was held out of the sport with a hamstring damage.
Missing its most explosive weapon, the Steelers offense stumbled out of the gate. It went three-and-out on 4 of its first 5 offensive possessions and by halftime Wilson had accomplished simply 8-of-17 passes for 46 yards.
For a second, it appeared like Pickens’ absence would hamstring the Steelers all day.
However, the Steelers got here out of the locker room wanting like a unique unit. Wilson led landing drives on back-to-back possessions to create a snug lead. Both had been landing strikes.
There’s no query Pittsburgh wants Pickens to perform its final aim. However, the best way the offense responded within the second half exhibits that Wilson’s expertise may help Pittsburgh survive a quick stint with out the star wideout. All eyes will likely be on his standing forward of a measuring-stick sport in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles subsequent week. — Mike DeFabo, Steelers beat author
Steelers protection returns to kind
While the Steelers offense was down one playmaker, the protection obtained a shot within the arm when exterior linebacker Alex Highsmith returned from an ankle damage. Highsmith, who missed three video games, made his presence felt early. He sacked Winston on the Browns’ opening possession, which helped arrange the Steelers with nice subject place that they finally changed into a subject aim.
With Highsmith again, the protection stored the Steelers within the sport within the first half when the offense spun its wheels. Then, the protection supplied a spark when defensive lineman Keeanu Benton intercepted a display screen move to arrange a landing drive that allowed Pittsburgh to reclaim the lead 10-7.
One week after Winston threw for 497 yards and 4 touchdowns, the Steelers protection largely stored a lid on the gunslinger. It compelled Winston into two interceptions and restricted him to 211 passing yards and two touchdowns on 41 makes an attempt.
While the Steelers’ offensive enhancements have lifted their ceiling, that is nonetheless a crew that wishes to play a dominant model of defensive soccer. After permitting 24 factors to the Browns (together with a game-winning landing drive) after which 31 offensive factors to the Bengals final week, the protection largely returned to kind. — DeFabo
Loss to Browns seems like blip on the radar
When the Steelers misplaced to the Browns two weeks in the past, it was truthful to marvel if this was only a blip on the radar or an early warning signal. The manner the Steelers responded in opposition to the identical opponent simply 17 days later exhibits this was extra of a hiccup than anything.
The Steelers have now received seven of their final eight video games. Wilson himself is now 6-1 because the Steelers’ starter. The Browns loss is the one blemish.
By caring for enterprise, the Steelers are actually in place to be examined by their hardest stretch of the season. They’ll play the Eagles, Ravens and Chiefs — three of the NFL’s finest groups — inside a span of 11 days from Dec. 15 to Dec. 25. — Defabo
Typical Browns
The Browns’ protection was enjoying effectively early, however a Winston interception allowed the Steelers to take a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. The Browns simply at all times to look to screw up — interceptions, penalties, blown coverages — and it occurred once more right here.
There’s not loads left to say in regards to the state of the 3-10 Browns, who had been eradicated from playoff competition. Winston is simply too reckless, the protection loses too many receivers and the particular groups have lengthy been a multitude. The Browns began the fourth quarter with a third-and-1 within the crimson zone and two performs later ended up punting. That quick sequence sums it up — not simply right this moment, however the season as an entire. — Zac Jackson, Browns beat author
Taunting on particular groups?
The depressing season for Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins continued. Hopkins missed field-goal tries of 38 and 43 yards, the second of which wasn’t even shut. Hopkins is struggling and possibly urgent, and his insecurity confirmed. The 38-yarder was his second miss from inside 40 yards within the final 4 video games, and it continued a run of shaky particular groups play that additionally included a fourth-quarter taunting penalty on Toney.
Yes, the 3-10 Browns obtained a taunting penalty whereas down by 20 within the fourth quarter. Jerome Ford had a 56-yard kickoff return to open the second half, however that collection ended with an offensive move interference name and Hopkins’ second missed subject aim. Hopkins obtained $8.3 million in assured cash on the extension he signed final July and is ready to rely $2.89 million on subsequent 12 months’s wage cap. — Jackson
Required studying
(Photo: Justin Berl / Getty Images)
