Is everyone else struggling to calm down after that one?! WOW! There's a reason the Cleveland Browns are often called the Kardiac Kids! Take away the game-ending fumble recovery for a touchdown by Denzel Ward tonight, and all three games have been decided a combined nine points. This team has certainly put us through the ringer through three games, haven't they? But it certainly feels better going through all the stress, chewed fingernails and heart palpitations when they come out on top against the Pittsburgh Steelers!
This is only the fourth win by the Browns over the Steelers since 2015 (4-11-1). When something like this comes around, we know to savor it and enjoy it! Hopefully it won't always be so lopsided at some point in the future, and the Browns start evening things up. But for now, I'm just enjoying floating around on Cloud Nine. Haven't felt like this thanks to the Browns since last January when they eliminated Pittsburgh from the Playoffs!
So, how exactly did the Browns pick up a desperately needed win against their age-old enemy? Let's take a look at the Keys to Victory!
Get the running game going early and often
There were a few moments within the game where I thought Kevin Stefanski and Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt would go away from Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. That play call from the shotgun on third and one still has me scratching my head. But for the most part, the Browns stuck with their biggest strength. Cam Heyward certainly made some plays against the Browns running game since he's the Steelers' main run stopper. But the Browns persevered, and eventually the Pittsburgh defense cracked. They gave way. Nick Chubb had his second 100-yard game against Pittsburgh in his career, and the Browns ran the ball 38 times for 171 yards and a touchdown. They also averaged just a hair under five yards per carry. That's Cleveland football. That'll get it done! Love this running game when it works like it did tonight!
Get home on defense and finish plays
The Browns definitely struggled here most of the night. They didn't generate much pressure on Mitch Trubisky, and for the second game in a row, Myles Garrett was a nonfactor. Yes, he was double teamed, but he really failed to show up in any big way. Although the one huge play the Browns needed was made by linebacker Jacob Phillips, when he made a coverage sack on Mitch Trubisky to force Pittsburgh to punt, and to keep the clock moving for the Browns late in the fourth quarter. That was the only sack of the game for Cleveland, but boy was it huge! The Browns defense wasn't flashy, and still looked suspect to me at times. But they made just enough big plays and critical stops when they had to have them. Sometimes that's all that matters.
Tighten up in the secondary
The Browns did give up 207 yards through the air and a touchdown to Mitch Trubisky. But they played bend but don't break defense. The zone coverage still drove me crazy several times throughout the night. I absolutely hate the scheme. It's soft and allows offenses to pick us apart.
But the one big positive I saw from the secondary tonight was that guys were flying to the football when they had a chance. They looked like they were playing inspired football, especially in the second half. For all their issues, the Browns held Pittsburgh to a measly three points in the second half. Period. THAT is defense! Now the question is: Can they put two games like that together and build on it against the Falcons on October 2nd? If they do? No reason they can't get to 3-1. Three games down. 14 to go. It's a long season, and everything is still up in the air. But at least for tonight, there's a big grin on my face! Say it with me everybody: THE CLEVELAND BROWNS BEAT THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS! Man, this feels good! Happy Victory Friday, everybody!
Statistical Leaders
Jacoby Brissett: 21-31, 220 yds., 2 TDs
Nick Chubb: 23 carries, 113 yds., TD
Amari Cooper: 7 rec., 101 yds., TD
Source: ESPN
Photo Credit: nitrobetting.eu
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