Steelers vs. Browns: What they're saying in Cleveland after Steelers' 26-22 victory

The Browns are still the Browns.

With the Steelers’ 26-22 victory over their longtime rival, the Black and Gold made sure the Browns continued their streak of not winning a regular-season game at Acrisure Stadium in 20 years.

While Pittsburgh celebrates, Cleveland sulks.

Cleveland.com columnist Terry Pluto shared some musings about the team’s sputtering offense and quarterback Deshaun Watson, whom he called “hard to watch.” Watson had three turnovers, two of which turned into touchdowns for the Steelers.

“But I also can add if Watson had played with poise and not made three turnovers, the Browns would have won this game,” Pluto wrote.

The columnist had a hit of his own — “Pittsburgh’s offense is a mess.” Fans saw it, too, Cleveland.com’s Browns writer Jimmy Watkins mentioned in the first sentence of his game recap.

“Boo birds squawked before halftime for an offense that couldn’t enter the red zone, much less score points,” he wrote.

Arrived at the Stadium tonight expecting to write something about exorcising Pittsburgh demons tonight. Might still be a few spirits lingering in this building

— Jimmy Watkins (@JimmyWatkins95) September 19, 2023

Even Browns coach Kevin Stefanski seemed to be resigned to 20 years of regular-season losses in Pittsburgh, according to the Associated Press’ Will Graves.

“The penalties … the turnovers, it’s just hard to win on the road, period,” Stefanski said. “It’s real hard to win on the road if you make it hard for yourself.”

The Browns turned the ball over four times and the Steelers twice. The Browns had eight penalties with Watson receiving two personal fouls.

Many lamented the loss of Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb in the first half to a season-ending knee injury. Some opined that the Browns would have won the game had Chubb not gone down.

The injury overshadowed the massive game the Steelers defense had and linebacker T.J. Watt setting a Steelers sack record. CBS NFL writers Bryan DeArdo and Jeff Kerr gave the play of the game to the strip sack by linebacker Alex Highsmith that led to Watt’s first career touchdown, securing the victory with less than seven minutes remaining.

Alex Highsmith was good for the #Steelers last year WITHOUT T.J. Watt on the field.

Watt and Highsmith are stating their case for best pass rushing duo in the #NFL.

— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) September 19, 2023

ESPN reported that the Steelers’ offensive woes seemed to be connected to play-calling and the decisions of quarterback Kenny Pickett who completed 15 of 30 passes for 222 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Writers Brooke Pryor and Jake Trotter said Pickett seemed to settle down as the game progressed, but the offensive inconsistencies were combined with 1 rushing yard in the first half.

The Steelers finished with 55 yards rushing, Pryor reported.

Trotter also took shots at the Browns’ quarterback and described the game and Chubbs’ injury as a “gut punch,” continuing the Browns’ poor luck in Pittsburgh.

“With Chubb’s injury, Cleveland’s season hinges on Watson carrying the offense, and there is no sign he is capable of that right now,” he wrote.

The Steelers would be better off just punting on first down

— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) September 19, 2023