Steelers Go Into Cleveland And Send The Browns To Last Place Where They Belong

Solid win. On the road, in the division, down early, playing without a kicker, hold the number one rushing team in the league to less than 100 yards on the ground. I'd file this one under "gritty" win. 

I changed my tune on the Steelers a few weeks ago, and it's been on the up ever since. Sometimes these things take time. Is it still anywhere near being a contender to play in LA? Nah. But it's a hell of a lot closer than it was in September. The offensive line is gelling, Najee Harris is becoming that bell cow, and Big Ben is making just enough plays. He was nails down the stretch today. No turnovers, led the two scoring drives including the game-winning touchdown to MUUUUUUTH. 

The defense brought their proverbial hard hats and stuffed the run all day. That's the recipe. Thank God we don't have to spend this blog talking about the absolutely BRUTAL call to end the first half by Tomlin. He took responsibility for it after the game and rightfully so. Being aggressive is fine and all, but damn in that situation just take the points and the lead into half with you getting the ball to start the second 30 on top of that. Plus because of that call the Steelers played without the option to kick an extra point or FG in the second half- usually a pretty important factor in a divisional game on the road. 

But like I said, we don't have to talk about that because of the outcome. I wouldn't call this group particularly "good" just yet, but they're nothing if not resilient. Resilient as hell. We saw it week one in Buffalo being down 10 and coming back. we've seen it now starting the season 1-3 only to win three straight. That's a welcoming sign - especially for a really young group. I said it in my postgame video, let's not make this more than what it is. It's a win on Halloween against a divisional foe. That's what the Steelers are supposed to do - especially against the Browns. Let's not be like them and throw a parade for ourselves because we beat the Browns. Let's learn from last year, too. 

It was a resilient, good win on the road to get you above .500 and set you up to make a run into November. Here We Go.