5 Steelers surprises in Sunday’s loss against the Browns
Each week our SCU staff and contributors picks the “surprises” from the Pittsburgh Steelers latest matchup. Check out more below to see which plays and situations surprised us the most!
On Sunday the Pittsburgh Steelers traveled to Cleveland to face the Browns for their Week 11 matchup at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
The Steelers dropped to a 6-4 record with a 13-10 loss. Here are some of the surprises from that game.
Warren tops 100 again
Steelers RB Jaylen Warren is on fire, once again topping the century mark on Sunday with nine carries for 129 yards and Pittsburgh’s only touchdown.
Warren topped 100 yards for the first time in his career last weekend (101), making it back-to-back 100-yard games for the undrafted second-year pro.
Browns run game held under 100
For only the third time in ten games this season, the Cleveland Browns offense was held to under 100 yards. They had gained at least 150 yards or more in six of their ten games played.
While they weren’t held to a season-low on Sunday, the Steelers contained Cleveland to 96 total yards. Kareem Hunt would finish with a 3.0 yards-per-carry average while Jerome Ford finished with a 2.6 average. (Both carried the ball 12 times each.)
Steelers outgained… again
The Steelers nearly got the chip off of their shoulder by being outgained by every opposing offense this season. However, in the game’s final moments, the Cleveland Browns gained 43 yards on their way to a game-winning field goal.
This nudged the Browns offense to finishing with ten yards more than the Steelers on Sunday.
Buckle up and expect to see a lot of things called you don't usually see. Shawn Hochuli's crew is working Steelers-Browns. That crew loves its holding penalties. Have called 31 thus far this season.
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) November 16, 2023
Browns commit a single penalty
Shockingly, and I’m unsure how it was remotely possible, but the Cleveland Browns were only penalized once in the entire game on Sunday.
We’re led to believe that Shawn Hoculi’s crew, which had to oversee not one but two backup offensive tackles fend off both T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, didn’t commit a single holding penalty Nope!
The only penalty called against Cleveland was an illegal hands-to-the-face call, despite several similar non-decisions (such as a roughing the passer call) mirroring what was flagged against Pittsburgh. (Highly unlikely, right?)
Steelers lose the game
The Steelers had their best field position of the game, starting at their own 48, with just under six minutes remaining in a tie game: and ended up punting after four plays for only nine yards.
They had another chance, this time with 1:42 remaining from their own 30-yard-line. Steelers QB Kenny Pickett threw three-straight incompletions – all intended for WR Diontae Johnson – and the team would punt.
The three-and-out was followed by Cleveland’s game-winning, 8-play 43-yard drive which ended with a Dustin Hopkins’ field goal.
