The Steelers started slow then revved the engine and helped eliminate the Browns officially from the playoffs with a 27-14 victory Sunday. There was nothing spectacular but when the Steelers needed to make plays, they did.
The offense was slow to get out of the gate. Russell Wilson eventually got it going showcasing his efficiency, completing 15 passes to nine different receivers, leading the Steelers to victory despite the absence of star wideout George Pickens.
The offense initially struggled, with three three-and-outs in the first half and Wilson managing just 46 passing yards. However, he ignited in the second half, culminating in 158 yards. The opening drive of the second half epitomized his resurgence, as he went 4-for-5 for 46 yards, culminating in a 10-yard touchdown pass to Van Jefferson.
While not his most prolific performance, Wilson maintained a 101.1 quarterback rating, marking his fifth game out of seven starts with a rating exceeding 100.
While lacking in explosive plays beyond an early 20-yard run by Najee Harris, the ground game effectively churned out yards, accumulating 120 rushing yards by game’s end. Harris led the charge with 53 yards and a touchdown, while Jaylen Warren contributed 47 yards on nine carries.
Ten days after surrendering three sacks to Browns defensive end Myles Garrett in Cleveland, Dan Moore Jr. provided significantly better protection for Russell Wilson, limiting Garrett’s impact for most of the game. While Garrett did record the Browns’ lone sack, it occurred late in the game and had little consequence. He was a non-factor throughout the contest.
Steelers’ Keanu Benton had his first career pick, intercepting a screen pass and returning it for a significant gain, it set up a Steelers’ touchdown. Defensive anchor Cam Heyward continued his dominant season, adding two more sacks to his impressive tally (now at eight).
Alex Highsmith returned to the lineup after his injury absence and recorded a sack. The Steelers rotated three outside linebackers extensively. T.J. Watt contributed four tackles and two quarterback hurries. Patrick Queen led the linebackers with10 tackles and a pass breakup, while Elandon Roberts’ crucial fourth-down tackle for a five-yard loss near midfield in the third quarter set the Steelers up for victory.
It was a nice bounce back week for Joey Porter Jr. who limited Jerry Jeudy under 100 yards passing.
Special teams coverage units were leaky again. But the kicking game is arguably the best in the NFL. Chris Boswell continues to solidify his status as the NFL’s premier kicker. Against the Browns, he extended his impressive season, adding two more field goals to his tally, bringing his season record to 36 of 39. His 54-yarder late in the second quarter proved crucial, giving the Steelers a 13-7 lead heading into halftime.
Beyond Boswell’s excellence, Corliss Waitman once again put together a big game. He averaged an impressive 53.2 yards per punt, pinning the Browns deep. His booming punt late in the game forced a Kadarius Toney fumble, which was recovered by soon to be folk hero Ben Skowronek, marking Skowronek’s second fumble recovery of the season.
The Steelers avenged their controversial loss.
BEER WE GO, STEELERS BEER WE GO.
My “GAME BEER” goes to: Anyone who follows this blog, knew this was going to Keeanu Benton for his interception. When the big boys get the football, they get the beer of the game. Also Considered: Joey Porter Jr. and Dan Moore Jr. had redemption games. Both gave up one play then stifled the Browns.
Beer of the Game: RUN IT BACK I went with Yuengling Flight, which is awesome and light. KGB went with Harpoon Holiday Ale, the very full-bodied winter beer again.
“Steel the Snacks”: No Steel the snacks last week. We usually don’t repeat snacks for divisional games and the jerky schedule put the Browns in town just ten days since the Steelers last saw them. KGB went with a Mortadella Sandwich and left over brick oven white pizza with meatballs.
My stat of the week: Two weeks ago, I used ZERO as the stat, the number of times Mike Tomlin has won a Thursday division road game. Today we also use Zero as in the number of times the Steelers have lost to the Browns in Pittsburgh during the regular season on Coach Tomlin. Steelers have dominated since Tomlin took over as coach at home. The Browns got a bunch of “help” Thursday. The Steelers weren’t going to leave this one in doubt.
My thoughts on next week: “The Battle of Pennsylvania” as the Steelers head to their interstate rivals in Philadelphia. Most important thing here is to make sure no one gets injured, and this could put the NFL on notice that the Steelers success is not a fluke. Consider the Eagles manhandled the Eagles.
Jersey of the Week: L.C. Greenwood, #68 1933 Throwback Jersey, L.C. deserves to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.