Takeaways: Sweet revenge for Steelers in win over Browns
Steel City Underground offers post-game takeaways for every 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers NFL regular season game, focusing on the black and gold, just for members of Steelers Nation.
On the field at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday afternoon, the Pittsburgh Steelers got their gold end zones back and some sweet, sweet revenge over a Cleveland Browns team that had beaten them in Week 12 of the 2024 NFL regular season. The AFC North division rivalry game showcased the momentum the Steelers have gained and desire to carry throughout the final four games of the season. Due to the Baltimore Ravens being on their bye week, Pittsburgh’s win put them two games ahead in the divisional race, their record 10-3 – a far cry from early predictions across the league from pundits that the Steelers would have their first losing season in years. We look at key takeaways from Pittsburgh’s 27-14 victory.
With their loss today, the #Browns have been eliminated from playoff contention pic.twitter.com/AUoI6p3R29
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 8, 2024
Tenacious “D”
The Steelers were prepared for the rematch with the Browns. Setting the tempo, the defense started strong when Cleveland watched T.J. Watt blow up a run play in their first series for a five-yard loss and Alex Highsmith, back from injury, sacked Jameis Winston that forced a punt from deep inside Browns territory.
That energy kept the Steelers defense working to get into the Browns’ offensive backfield throughout the remainder of the game.
Pittsburgh’s run defense held the Browns to just 104 rushing yards, only giving Cleveland a bit more room after Pittsburgh was ahead on the scoreboard in the second half of the game. The pass rush was nearly as decimating, with Cameron Heyward earning 2.0 sacks and Winston felt the pressure, throwing two interceptions.
Overall, it was apparent that Pittsburgh wasn’t going to let the Cleveland offense dictate how the game played out. They corrected many of the things that led to the Browns beating them just two weeks ago.
Clicking on offense
The Steelers didn’t start to really take command of the game on offense until the second half of the game. In the first half, they stalled and were forced to punt four times and ask Chris Boswell to kick two field goals to one touchdown that came after a Keeanu Benton interception on a screen play.
Russell Wilson, who’d thrown for 46 yards in the first half, opened up a bit and completed 7/10 passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns. He was able to connect with nine different players. Pat Freiermuth accounted for 48 yards in that flurry.
The Steelers have taken awhile to heat up during much of the season, but when they start to click – watch out opponents.
Receiver Scotty Miller made one of the biggest receiving plays in the game, inserted into the starting lineup after George Pickens was unable to go due to an injury sustained ahead of the game. After Cleveland regained composure to get within 13 points, Wilson found Miller on a 3rd & 7 play from the Pittsburgh 33 on a fade down the sideline. Miller had a step on Martin Emerson and was able to secure the ball before he was forced out of bounds. The play went for a 20-yard gain.
“Russ just does a great job of finding the open guy, honestly. His belief in all of us gives us that confidence to go out and perform,” Miller said after the game.
The Steelers ran the ball 35 times utilizing Wilson, Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, and Cordarrelle Patterson to the tune of 120 yards and one touchdown (Harris’ one-yard blast in the first half).
Final thoughts
Pittsburgh’s offensive line kept Myles Garrett from being as disruptive in this game compared to Week 12. The defensive end had just 3 QB hits, a single sack, and three tackles.
The Steelers defensive backfield limited receiver Jerry Jeudy to just 64 yards, while also allowing just a single touchdown by Winston’s favorite target.
Mistakes plagued the Browns, but Pittsburgh took advantage of them. That is how good teams in the NFL win in tough situations. The past two weeks of the regular season looks to have given Pittsburgh a boost, mentally, in being prepared to play at their best in tough situations.
The Steelers will be on the road in Week 15 to face a Philadelphia Eagles team that is 11-2 and in first place in the NFC East.
