The Steelers came back and then held on to beat the Browns!
It was a throwback win, solid running game, timely throws by Ben Roethlisberger and a stout defense as the Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns 15-10 at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland. There was some added drama with the injury to Chris Boswell, but the Steelers had enough to answer back and pull out the victory.
Najee Harris is settling into his role as the featured weapon on offense. He had a very strong game with 26 carries for 91-yards including a highlight reel touchdown, and he added three receptions for 29 more yards. With his success in running the football, the Steelers took pressure off Ben Roethlisberger who finished with a workman like 22 of 34 for 266 yards, making the clutch plays he needed to make, pulling out the victory.
One of those plays was the game winning touchdown to Pat Freiermuth, who made an outstanding catch. Muth finished with 44 yards and the one touchdown. Diontae Johnson was held in check for most of the day until he ripped off a 50-yarder that all but sealed the victory for the Steelers. Johnson contributed 98 yards and led the team in catches with six. Chase Claypool had four catches and Zach Gentry had a good game, as a blocker and catching three passes, filling in for Eric Ebron.
Give credit to the offensive line which got stronger as the game went on. Dan Moore Jr. held Myles Garret mostly in check when he had some help. They opened plenty of running lanes and the pass protection is getting better every week.
The Browns came into the game with the number one running attack in the NFL. The Steelers defense changed that quickly. They held the Browns to under 100 yards and Nick Chubb was a non-factor most of the game. The front seven lead by a patchwork defensive line and Cam Heyward pushed the Browns all over except for two opening scoring drives.
The linebackers had their most complete game of the season. T.J. Watt continued his outstanding play with 1.5 sacks, Alex Highsmith did a nice job pressuring Baker Mayfield and Joe Schobert played his best game of the season, leading the team in tackles. He also made the biggest defensive play of the day, a forced fumble on Jarvis Landry. Landry had one of the worst days of his career.
Minkah Fitzpatrick had his biggest day of the season. He was in on several big plays and anchored the secondary. Cam Sutton and Joe Haden locked down Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry. The Browns never completed a pass longer than 24 yards and could never get the passing game going. It was the most complete performance of the season for the defense.
Special teams had another mediocre week. First the elephant in the room was the botched fake field goal where Chris Boswell was absolutely demolished by Jordan Elliot as he was trying to find an open receiver. Tomlin deserves credit for being aggressive, but it was a very risky play that nearly cost the Steelers the game. Without Boswell, Pressley Harvin was on kickoff duty and he struggled including booting one out of bound for a penalty on a kickoff. Harvin also had another uneven day as the punter. He shanked a 38-yarder in the fourth quarter. No big plays out of the return game.
Botched fake field goal aside, give the coaching staff credit, it was clear the Steelers had a solid plan and executed it, even without a kicker.
BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!
My “GAME BEER” goes to: Going with Najee Harris, who had 120 yards from scrimmage and a highlight film touchdown dive. Also Considered: Pat Freiermuth who made a huge clutch catch, T.J. Watt who played great as usual and the defensive line specifically Chris Wormley and Isiah Loudermilk who each notched sacks.
Beer of the Game: Last day of Italian Heritage month, had to go with Peroni which we have A LOT of at the house. It was ice cold and I forgot how great a beer that is. Really refreshing and went great with the snack. KGB went with Leinenkugel Pumpkin Shandy.
“Steel the Snacks”: Polish Boy Sandwiches, a Cleveland delicacy of Polish Sausage, Slaw and Fries topped with BBQ sauce on a soft roll.
My Stat of the week: All Ben on this category, going with two different stats… 50 wins against his native Ohio teams, and 12-2-1 against the Browns all time IN Cleveland, he no longer holds the wins record for the stadium, but he has over and .800% winning percentage all time there… remembering these words… “With the Six Pick of the 2004 NFL draft the Cleveland Browns select Kellen Winslow Jr.”. The rest is history!
My Thoughts on next week: The Steelers have a chance to go on a mini-run here, Chicago is a very beatable team and this is a must win in Prime Time for MNF.
This week’s Jersey: Mike Webster, 52, Home Jersey, one of my favorite players of all-time and proud to rock his jersey.