The Steelers improved their Monday Night Football winning streak to 21 games. The black and gold seem to shine brightest under the lights. Mike Tomlin always talks about splash plays and boy did the Steelers deliver those for him last night. That’s pretty much all they delivered though. The offense looked unimpressive outside of a handful of nice passes from Pickett to Pickens (including a 71-yard touchdown). Najee Harris had a couple of decent runs but on busted plays. Jaylen Warren also ran his heart out. The players want to make plays but it doesn’t seem like they are being put in the right positions. The problem is either inexperience or play calling. The offense needs to figure that out if they want to help the defense win games.
The defense after an abysmal showing last week turned it up for a divisional rival. On the opening play, Harrison Bryant had a ball go through his hands into Minkahs who got hit and coughed it up into Alex Highsmith’s waiting hands, who then proceeded into the end zone for a pick-six.
On the following possession, the run-stopping woes continued as Nick Chubb ran for 21 yards on the next drive and the Browns walked away with a field goal.
The Browns and Steelers then traded a few unsuccessful drives and turnovers until the browns put together a good drive that got them to 1st and goal. On 1st and goal Nick Chubb rushed up the middle and was met by Minkah Fitzpatrick this would change the Browns’ season as Chubb’s leg bent in three different ways none of which were the right ones. After a lengthy delay, the browns put six on the board got a shorter PAT attempt due to a penalty, and went for two to go up 11-7. The teams then traded punts and on Calvin Austin’s return, he managed to flip the field and put the Steelers in good position at the Browns 39. The Steelers only managed five yards but that was enough for Chris Boswell to hit a 52-yarder.
The defense held the Browns to another three and out. The Steelers looked to be headed that way before Jaylen Warren took a swing pass like a man for 11 yards to convert on 3rd and 10. The very next play Pickett hit Pickens over the middle in an open seem and he took the ball 71 yards to the end zone. A missed two-point attempt left the Steelers up 16-11.
The teams traded punts before the Browns put together a half-ending drive that got them a 55-yard field goal.
The Steelers then opened the third quarter with a drive that ended in a 50-yard field goal by Boswell to go up 16-11.
On the Browns’ next drive, Jerome Ford was bottled up but turned back and went the other way for 69 yards and almost scored had it not been for Minkah Fitzpatrick’s heroic effort fighting off a Watson block to chase him down. Two plays later Pierre Strong Jr. punched it in from the one. A successful two-point conversion put the Browns up 22-19.
The next 18 minutes of game time showed that neither franchise may have their quarterback of the future. Watson looked disinterested all night while Pickett missed some throws. The good thing for Steelers fans is Pickett’s issue could be fixed with coaching. The problem there might be the coach in and if it’s self. Canada’s playcalling is shocking most of the game.
As the game headed into the fourth quarter, the Browns were putting together a drive that had reached the Steelers 35-yard line. A holding penalty followed by a face mask pushed them back to their side of the field. On third and 27 just trying to get some yards back Watson connected with Njoku and gained 13 yards. While being tackled Njoku fumbled. Now with the ball near midfield, the hope was to gain some yards and
maybe a chance to tie it up. The offense had other ideas losing 11 yards in three plays bringing Pressley Harvin out for his sixth punt of the night. Unlike in week one Harvin had not disappointed all night and boomed a 61-yarder to the 6. A weak zone on 3rd and 13 allowed a conversion at 19. At first, the Browns ran for one yard. Next play Watson dropped back to pass and was pressured by Alex Highsmith who forced a fumble. TJ Watt scooped up the ball and headed into the end zone.
Now up 26-22, the defense stymied a small drive by the Browns and got the ball back for the offense with 4:37 left on the clock and one time-out for the Browns. Najee and Jaylen combined for nine yards on first and second down. Facing third and one Canada decided to call a misdirection run for Pickett that ended in a three-yard loss.
The defense once again was called on to bail out the offense. The Browns barely got across midfield before the defense put a stop to their final drive.
James