Simply put, it was not meant to be.
In an ugly affair at First Energy Stadium, the Pittsburgh Steelers fell to the Cleveland Browns by a score of 13-10, ending the team's winning streak. With the loss, the Steelers fall to 6-4 overall and 2-1 in the AFC North.
Elandon Roberts, a linebacker who recorded 15 tackles and was instrumental in halting the Browns' run game, led the team in defense. All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt did not have one of his usual dominant games but eventually broke through late in the contest with a sack. Defensive back Trenton Thompson had a decent outing, finishing with six tackles and two passes defensed. Lastly, defensive back Chandon Sullivan came through with an interception and two passes defensed.
The Steelers offense—or rather, their lack of it—was the game's narrative. This team managed just 249 yards of total offense in four quarters. Kenny Pickett, the quarterback, had maybe the worst game of his career, completing just 15 passes for 106 yards. Diontae Johnson, a receiver, had a dismal performance, accumulating just 16 receiving yards on two receptions with numerous costly drops.
The offensive line did not fare as well as they did the last two weeks, namely left tackle Dan Moore Jr., who surrendered two sacks and multiple pressures against the Browns' All-Pro defensive lineman, Myles Garrett.
The standout player of the day was undoubtedly running back Jaylen Warren, who finished with a career-high 129 rushing yards on nine carries, including a game-winning 74-yard touchdown run to start the second half. Sadly, the team was unable to turn his performance into a victory.
- Commentary -
For a large portion of the season, the offense as a whole has been a detriment to the team, whether it was due to Matt Canada's predictable playcalling or Pickett's failure to establish a rhythm. Despite their ability to bear weight over the previous two weeks, their performance served as a wake-up call for the team. It will be intriguing to observe any adjustments that head coach Mike Tomlin might make in light of their poor performance.