The Pittsburgh Steelers closed their 2020 season with a last-minute 24-22 loss to the Cleveland Browns. The loss left the Steelers regular season record at 12-4 and sent the Browns to the playoffs.
- As a franchise, the Steelers subscribe to the philosophy that nothing good comes from losing.
Throughout his tenure, Mike Tomlin has refused to claim “moral victories” even if they may have been justified. Nonetheless, there are some definite positives Pittsburgh can pull out of this loss heading into the playoffs.
Chase Claypool scores a 4th quarter touchdown on fourth down. Photo Credit: Caitlyn Epes, Steelers.com
First 45 Minutes Evolve as Expected
The storylines were set heading into this game. For the Steelers very little was at stake. Cleveland, in contrast was playing for all of the marbles, as a win meant the playoffs, but a loss would keep them out. Knowing that, Mike Tomlin opted to “Air Mail” his players to playoffs, keeping Ben Roethlisberger, Cam Heyward, T.J. Watt, Maurkice Pouncey, Terrell Edmunds and Chris Boswell out.
Oliver Veron sacks Mason Rudolph. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review
- Eric Ebron and Joe Haden were both placed on the COVID-19 list.
Playing against a team fighting for its post-season life, the game evolved pretty much as you’d expect it to for the first 45 minutes.
- Nick Chubb gouged the Steelers for a 47–yard touchdown run
- The Steelers offense was limited to 3 Matthew Wright field goals
- Mason Rudolph threw and ugly interception that the Browns quickly converted into a touchdown
The Cleveland Browns touchdown came on the first play of the 4th quarter, which gave them a 26 to 9 lead. At that point, with 15 minutes separating the Steelers from a playoff rematch, the smart money says pull the remaining starters and hope to avoid injury.
But Mike Tomlin chose to live in his hopes and not his fears.
Steelers Play to Win
Mike Tomlin once declared, “As long as we’re keeping score, I play to win.” It’s one thing for a coach to state such a credo; it is an entirely different thing for players to meet the challenge. The scoreboard says the Steelers didn’t meet the challenge, but they certainly didn’t flinch.
James Conner rushes for tough yards. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review
On the ensuring drive:
- James Conner ripped off runs of 7 and 4 yards
- Vance McDonald caught both passes thrown his way
- Diontae Johnson converted a 4th and 6
- Chase Claypool converted 4th and 10 by catching a 28 yard pass from Rudolph
Next the defense got into the act. One of the keys to the Browns’ second half success was Baker Mayfield’s scrambling. But on 3rd and 3, Stephon Tuitt stepped up and sacked Mayfield, setting up a 4th and 7. The Browns went for it, but came up short.
On the next drive Mason Rudolph did it again, lighting up the Browns with a 47 yard completion to Diontae Johnson. A six yard run by Anthony McFarland and a 2 yard shovel pass from Joshua Dobbs to Vance McDonald set up Mason Rudolph’s 2 yard touchdown to JuJu Smith-Schuster, narrowing the score to 24-22.
The Steelers failed on the two point conversion. Just as their on sides kick failed. Just as the Steelers defense failed to keep the Browns from running out the clock.
Positive Take Aways from Pittsburgh
As Mike Tomlin declared following the game, the Steelers simply “didn’t make enough plays” to win. However, there were any number of positives that Pittsburgh can pick out of this game:
- Alex Highsmith had another strong game, including a sack that scuttled Cleveland’s two minute drill
- The Steelers contained Cleveland’s rushing attack
- Pittsburgh’s rushing attack showed signs of life
- Vance McDonald affirmed he can be a threat in the passing game
- The Steelers played with intensity
Some of the take aways above might raise an eyebrow at first glance. Even if you take away 47 yard run, he still had a 4.7 yard average. While that’s not an average the Steelers can allow in the playoffs, his remaining 61 yards and Kareem Hunt’s 3.7 suggest that the Steelers can contain Cleveland’s running game.
Pittsburgh’s own running game hardly authored anything to write home about, but each of the running backs showed they can make plays when holes are there.
And what’s most encouraging about this game is that the Steelers played with an intensity that suggested that they were fighting for a playoff spot — which is exactly attitude this team needs.
