The Pittsburgh Steelers are officially 4-1 and sitting atop the AFC North after a dominant 23-9 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday at Acrisure Stadium, marking the 22nd consecutive regular season home victory over the Browns, a streak that must frustrate the Cleveland Browns.
This victory was the best of the season and highlighted execution on both sides of the ball, particularly against a vaunted Browns defense that entered the game giving up a league-low 247 yards per game. The Steelers absolutely torched that average, putting up 335 total yards.
The number one key to the offensive game plan was neutralizing Myles Garrett, and the offensive line, spearheaded by Broderick Jones, executed flawlessly. Garrett, who boasted pre-game about adding Aaron Rodgers to his “graveyard,” was kept off the stat sheet. Effective use of chip blocks and double teams kept him away from the Steelers’ 41-year-old quarterback, and when Jones was in a one-on-one, he pushed Garrett around and mauled him. Rodgers was not sacked, marking the second time in three games the offensive line has pitched a shutout keeping Rodgers off the ground.
Arthur Smith’s play-calling was sharp from the jump, highlighting the kind of week-to-week schematic evolution that defines a top offensive coordinator. On the very first play, he dialed up a shot out of a jumbo personnel package featuring tight end Darnell Washington and extra lineman Spencer Anderson. Washington snuck through the line for a huge 36-yard gain, immediately setting up the first of Chris Boswell’s three field goals.
Aaron Rodgers continues to prove he is exactly what this team needs. He followed up a high-scoring game with another incredibly efficient performance, going 21 for 30 for 235 yards with two touchdowns and, most importantly, zero interceptions. He now boasts a stellar 11 touchdowns against only three interceptions through the first five games. His veteran pocket presence was on full display as he evaded the rush and even found ways to gain positive yardage, including a clever flip to Jaylen Warren to avoid a sack and pick up a first down.
The line’s ability to control the line of scrimmage was not just for pass protection; it was the driving force behind a resurgent run game that recorded an even 100 yards. The coaching staff made a concerted effort to keep a rotation going, giving Jaylen Warren (returning from a knee injury) the lead role, while Kenneth Gainwell and Kaleb Johnson also chipped in. Warren led the team with 52 yards on a 4.7-yard average. Fresh legs wore down the Cleveland defense, with all three backs ripping off runs of 10 yards or more. Warren and Gainwell were also productive out of the backfield, combining for eight catches.
DK Metcalf is quickly becoming the Steelers’ big-play threat they envisioned. He took advantage of single coverage all afternoon, finishing with four catches for 95 yards. Three of those receptions went for 25-plus yards, including a touchdown early in the fourth quarter that stretched the lead to a comfortable 17 points. The tight end room also had a productive day, with Darnell Washington’s 36-yarder to start the game and a nifty 12-yard touchdown snag by Connor Heyward.
On defense, the plan was simple and executed to perfection: stop the run and force rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel to beat them. They held the Browns to a meager 65 rushing yards on 17 attempts. With the run game shut down, Gabriel was forced into a massive 52 drop-backs, continually having to check the ball down to underneath receivers.
The pass rush was relentless. Rookie defensive lineman Derrick Harmon continued his impressive debut season, picking up another sack and leading the D-line with four tackles. The outside linebacker rotation might be the best in football and proved to be too much for the Browns. Nick Herbig, who is quickly making a name for himself, added two sacks to lead the team with 4.5 on the season. Even with Alex Highsmith returning from his high-ankle sprain (and adding a half-sack), Herbig’s playing time remains a priority, and he continues to capitalize. T.J. Watt added a half-sack and forced several errant throws from Gabriel.
The full-strength secondary was outstanding, getting a major boost from the return of Joey Porter Jr. (five tackles, two pass breakups) and the continued strong play of the safety duo. Jalen Ramsey, just two weeks after a hamstring injury, tallied his first two-sack game of his career along with six tackles. DeShon Elliott led the entire defense with twelve tackles. The secondary held firm, not allowing the rookie quarterback to reach the end zone even on multiple late-game red zone drives. Jabril Peppers chipped in and had a fumble recovery negated by a penalty.
Special teams took a major step back. Chris Boswell was 3-for-4, with his only miss being after a slip on the sloppy Acrisure turf. However, punter Corliss Waitman shanked one punt for 34 yards, and a promising 47-yard return by new practice squad elevation Ke’Shawn Williams was nullified by a questionable blindside block penalty.
It was a solid and decisive victory, the Steelers now have a quick turnaround.
BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!
My “GAME BEER” goes to: Broderick Jones, who has been BBQ all season for his lackluster play, he took on the best defensive end in the NFL, and he put him in his pocket. Also Considered: Aaron Rodgers for his outstanding play, Nick Herbig who is becoming a huge asset.
Beer of the Game: KGB and I both went with Guinness.
“Steel the Snacks”: KGB made Cleveland Po’boys, which were Kielbasa, with BBQ sauce, French fries, and Cole Slaw on the bun. The snacks had a significant effect on the game as usual.
My stat of the week: I am superstitious, so I am not going with 22 in a row during the regular season. I am going with TWO, the number of tackles that Myles Garrett had in the game. He was shut out.
My thoughts on next week: As in this Thursday, the Steelers will go on the road and battle a Joe Flacco led Bengals squad. Flacco brings the Bengals back from being an “also ran” to a tough team. Why the Browns would trade him in the division is beyond me.
Jersey of the Week: Heath Miller, 83, Blackout Jersey. I love this jersey and it is one of my favorites, I was hoping that it would help start up the Tight End group, which might be the best in football, it did help them out, but we want to see more ‘Muth.