Knee-jerk reactions to the Steelers’ 24:22 defeat by the Browns

By jimadmin On Jan 4, 2021

Week 17 of the NFL season and the Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Cleveland to face the Browns. In early September there were a lot of people out there who felt like we would never see week 17 of the NFL season. Not only did we make it through week 17, but the Steelers have already beaten their playoff tickets and have very little to play in week 17. The only main reason I still want to see a Steelers win is that it would take the Browns out of the playoffs and continue their playoff drought.

A simple reminder, a knee jerk reaction is an instant and unthinkable emotional reaction. Basically, it’s about shooting first and then apologizing later (forget that, I don’t apologize for any of my feelings, I might not be from Pittsburgh but grew up close enough to be a Yinzer). I can safely say that this is a true definition of you and a good amount of the Steelers’ nation. Here are my real-time reactions (and possibly a bit of my son Kyle’s reactions) as the Steelers struggled to secure the AFC North title.

Quarter 1

Cleveland wins the throw in the first of the second half. Mason Rudolph will lead the offensive on the field for the first time this season.
Third and fourth, Mason completed his first pass of the game for an initial relegation to Chase Claypool.
Mason held the ball too long on the 3rd and 5th. He had two guys open early but held the ball and threw incompletely. Steelers for stinging.
A ride of the Browns that started methodically suddenly explodes with a long run by Nick Chubb for a touchdown. Steelers 0, Browns 7.
The Steelers answer with three and more.
Cleveland is moving methodically again.
Coach Tomlin will question this completion. It looks like he’s actually winning a challenge here. That was definitely just a foot lower, followed by an arm out of bounds. If something is so obvious, my question is why did the officers get it wrong in the first place.
The defense holds on 3rd down and 11th attack will get the ball back.
James Conner first with a nice run-on. Goes almost 10 meters.
Kyle: Did our offensive line just push?
On the third and eighth down, Rudolph completes the pass for a first down to Claypool. Steelers down first.
The first quarter ends with a Steelers 0, Browns 7 score.

2nd quarter

Control stands for the Steelers. I liked the Claypool deep shot attempt.
A nice run from Chubb and a long pass from Mayfield and the Browns are in business.
The Steelers defense is due in part to some beautiful pieces by Minkah Fitzpatrick. Hold the Browns to a field goal. Steelers 0, Browns 10.
After the Steelers suffer a first defeat, Randy Fichtner becomes a predictable criminal. Incomplete on first relegation for loss on second relegation, deep shot on third relegation, and 10. The only difference is that Diontae Johnson caught this ball.
This piece was followed by a nice run by Joshua Dobbs. Steelers are in the red zone.
The offensive stops, Matthew Wright comes in and hits a 29-yard field goal. Steelers 3 Browns 10
Chris Wormley continues the Pittsburgh Steelers streak by joining Baker Mayfield. Kyle: For all the guys out there who would be called sack.
The Browns were not faking someone who was fourth and fourth in line, deep in their own end.
Ray-Ray McCloud found success early in the season by catching punts and immediately climbing the field. All he still does is catch it and dance around and get nothing. There was at least ten meters he could have reached there.
On the 3rd and 9th there was a nice pitch and catch from Rudolph to JuJu.
Matthew Wright hits the field goal for the Steelers. Steelers 6, Browns 10.
Alex Highsmith picks up a sack on Baker Mayfield.
The end of the first half. The Steelers 6, Browns 10.

3rd quarter

Cleveland got the ball to start the second half. Now drive Cleveland alone 42.
The defense stops at Cleveland Punts.
Would love to see the Steelers offense we just saw last week.
On the third and eighth down, Rudolph throws deep and hits Claypool. Pittsburgh to Cleveland 35.
Matthew Wright arrives and hits the 46-yard field goal. Steelers 9, Browns 10. I wonder if Brown’s fans and players are getting a little nervous right now.
The defense put pressure on Mayfield, but he escapes and runs 28 yards.
Brown’s touchdown on the Mayfield to Hooper pass. Would have liked to see the defense hold up there. People in Cleveland are probably breathing a little easier now.
So the Browns reject an illegal downfield penalty to set up a second and 10. I turned to Kyle and said, “Well, that’s because they know on the second and tenth that Fichtner is going to call a run game.” The Steelers then gave up the soccer ball.
Mason Rudolph then does what he can’t afford and throws a stupid interception.
Cleveland will move the ball within Steeler’s 10-yard line as the third quarter ends. Steelers 9, Browns 17 and Menacing.

Quarter 4

Jarvis Landry with a touchdown run for the Browns in the first game of the 4th quarter. Steelers held it for a while, but the Browns are starting to open the void. Steelers 9, Browns 24.
A couple of runs and a couple of nice passes and the Steelers were in range.
Claypool with a touchdown catch on a 4th and 10th game. Steelers 16, Browns 24.
I just saw another game where it is 100% obvious that the umpires won’t hold while the quarterback is in the pocket as Mondeaux was held for three or four seconds.
Tuitt dismisses Mayfield on a third downplay. Cleveland does it on the 4th and 7th. Pass completely collapses and the Steelers will take over.
First down past the JuJu Smith shoemaker in a 3rd and 10th game. Steelers keep the soccer ball.
Low litter from Rudolph to Diontae Johnson. Steelers have the ball near the 10 yard line. I have to say that Mason Rudolph throws a really nice deep ball.
2-minute warning, Browns still lead by 8, but Pittsburgh has it in second and goal on the 5-yard line.
JuJu with Mason Rudolph’s touchdown catch. Steelers will try two to tie this game. The two-point conversion is too high for Chase Claypool. Steelers 22, Browns 24.
The Steelers take an on-side kick, they had a chance, but Cleveland eventually recovered.
The Browns managed to get an initial relegation and will run out of time. The Steelers gave themselves a great chance. The Browns celebrate like they’ve won the Super Bowl. Hope they made it this week because they are in Pittsburgh and the Steelers are doing it back next week.

Again, I just fired what was on my mind at the time. All reactions were in real time. Basically, it’s the equivalent of watching the game with me (and Kyle). You just don’t have to go to another room because I’m yelling at the TV (sometimes Kyle has to go). Now it’s time to process it, do some quick analysis for the Scho Bro Show and then get it over with as we prepare for a next week’s playoff game against … who knows who cares we’re in the playoffs. Make sure you hear your voice in the comments below.