The Steelers had the Browns just where they wanted them yesterday, tied 10-10 as they took the ball at their own 30-yard line with 1:42 left in the fourth quarter. But Kenny Pickett went 0-for-3 passing the ball, resulting in another three-and-out offensive series, and they had to punt the ball away after killing just 14 seconds off the clock.
The Browns’ rookie quarterback, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, then went 4-for-4 and drove them up the field for the game-winning 34-yard field goal by Dustin Hopkins with two seconds left.
The only bright spot for the Steelers was Jaylen Warren, who rushed for 129 yards, including a 64-yard touchdown run on the second play of the third quarter. But Warren ran the ball only nine times in the game and a frustrated Najee Harris ran for only 35 yards on 13 carries. Pickett threw for only 106 yards, with 15 connections on 28 attempts and three sacks.
Coach Mike Tomlin says the Browns got the job done.
Tomlin says Pickett’s struggles were as much about the opponent as about his own performance.
The coach says he has no problems with the offensive approach on Sunday, especially Warren not getting more carries.
Pickett says the Steelers are not panicking.
Linebacker TJ Watt says the defense can’t afford to get off to a slow start, as it did yesterday in allowing the Browns to score in the first quarter.
The Steelers’ offense is ranked 28th overall in the NFL, 31st out of 32 teams in passing, 15th in rushing, and 28th in scoring. The defense is not much better, ranked 26th overall, 23rd in both rushing and passing yardage.
The Steelers’ only injury worth a mention by Tomlin was safety Elijah Riley’s apparent high ankle sprain.
Next up for the 6-4 Steelers is a game next Sunday afternoon at Cincinnati. It will be the second straight week in which the Steelers will play a team using a backup quarterback after the Bengals lost Joe Burrow for the season last Thursday night against Baltimore.
The Ravens top the AFC North at 8-3. The Browns are 7-3, the Steelers 6-4, and the Bengals 5-5.
The Browns added former Ravens and Jets quarterback Joe Flacco to their practice squad before the game to replace starting QB Deshaun Watson, who is out for the season with an injured shoulder.
Comments