Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
There are so many great shots from Sunday’s win over the Browns.
Sunday’s win over the Cleveland Browns was a signature victory for the Steelers in what has been a tumultuous season. Once again the story of the game was the highlight-reel plays by the offense and the defense.
With so many big plays you knew we had to put together a gallery of some of our favorite photos from the game.
[vertical-gallery id=455598]
[lawrence-related id=455503]
Mike Tomlin coached up the defense at halftime to slow down the Browns offense.
Spoke to Steeler players about Mike Tomlin. Players on defense pointed to the adjustments made at half. They said he “straight up went high school football coach and drew up how they were going to defend Cleveland “ since they Browns showing a different look. “He saved the game”
— Dianna (@diannaESPN) December 1, 2019
When Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin spoke to the media after his team’s win over the Cleveland Browns, he gave all credit for the 20-13 win to the players. He emphasized the importance of team and the effort of the guys.
But in the locker room, the players told a different story. According to ESPN reporter Dianna Russini, the players gave credit to Tomlin for his halftime adjustments. We especially saw this on defense after Pittsburgh struggled to slow down the Browns run game. Once the Steelers were able to get Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt under control, they could start going after Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Tomlin takes a lot of heat from a significant portion of the fanbase for his inability to scheme up games and make adjustments. But on Sunday we saw the best of Tomlin and that led to a win.
[vertical-gallery id=455435]
[lawrence-related id=455491]
The Steelers found ways to generate points and win on Sunday.
When the Steelers were 0-3 and even 1-4, it seemed like the playoff was a fairytale. But we fast forward to now and Pittsburgh sits at 7-5 coming off a huge win over the Cleveland Browns and their season still has life. This win was huge for the Steelers and we learned a little more about this team. Here are our three big takeaways.
The Steelers coaching staff has historically taken a ton of criticism. And in many cases rightfully so. But the effort by this group to keep this team on track while dealing with more significant injuries than any team should. This is especially true of head coach Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner should be applauded for their adjustments at halftime.
Mike Tomlin understands how important playing together is for this group.
#LIVE: Coach Tomlin addresses the media following our win over the Browns.@budlight https://t.co/ApOIIfVFYn
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 1, 2019
Everyone on both sidelines knew how shorthanded the Pittsburgh Steelers were on Sunday. The Cleveland Browns went into the game hoping to sweep the season series and take advantage of Pittsburgh being without their top skill players. But as head coach Mike Tomlin talked about in the postgame press conference, it was team that carried the day in spite of the absences.
The day was carried by guys like Devlin Hodges, James Washington and Benny Snell Jr. instead of Ben Roethlisberger, JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Conner. But thanks to some impressive coaching and enormous effort but every Steeler on the field, Pittsburgh keeps their improbable comeback from an 0-3. Pittsburgh continues to win despite the lack of star power on offense but plenty of weapons on defense.
Next up for the Steelers is a long road trip to Arizona to take on the Cardinals. If the Steelers can keep winning in these final four games and make the playoffs it will be one of the rarest accomplishments in league history.
[vertical-gallery id=455435]
[lawrence-related id=455491]
The Steelers defense came through again and Duck Hodges was just good enough.
The Pittsburgh Steelers waiting two weeks to get revenge for their Week 11 loss to the Cleveland Browns. And despite being a home underdog, the Steelers went out and got a statement win against the upstart Browns.
Pittsburgh turned to Devlin Hodges to take care of the football and keep the team in the game. And he did just that. Hodges finished with 212 passing yards, one passing touchdown and one interception. Hodges showed poise and played within the scheme, taking a few shots downfield with success.
The Steelers also got the run game going getting 105 total rushing yards from Benny Snell Jr., Kerrith Whyte and Jaylen Samuels. Among the receivers, it was James Washington who did all the heavy lifting. His four catches were good for 111 of Hodges’ 212 passing yards and his athletic touchdown catch at the end of the first half made all the difference.
On defense, Pittsburgh stepped up in big moments. It was once again the pass rush that came through as well as this group’s propensity for creating turnovers. The Steelers finished with five sacks and forced two turnovers including an interception by cornerback Joe Haden on his old team to seal the win.
The Steelers now sit at 7-5 after starting the season 1-4 and continue to control their own destiny as the No. 6 seed in the AFC.
This is a throw and catch you have to watch again.
Unbelievable touchdown grab‼️@DevlinHodges10 ➡️ @JamesWashington pic.twitter.com/Q2lVfKzjl8
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 1, 2019
The Pittsburgh Steelers showed signs of life at the end of the first half against the Cleveland Browns. Hodges slowly eased into the offensive gameplan and capped off the half with a great throw followed up with a better catch by wide receiver James Washington. The Steelers and Browns are tied 10-10 at halftime.
[vertical-gallery id=455435]
[lawrence-related id=455479]
Steelers and Browns are tied at halftime.
It’s been some ugly football but the Pittsburgh Steelers found a way to survive the first half and are tied 10-10 with the Cleveland Browns at halftime.
The Steelers came into the game with Devlin Hodges at quarterback and no James Conner or JuJu Smith-Schuster. The offense went ultra-conservative until the final drive of the half and it netted only a single field goal. But on the last offensive drive of the half for Pittsburgh, Hodges threw it up for grabs and wide receiver James Washington hauled in the score despite being heavily interfered with.
Defensively, the Steelers have struggled to slow down the Browns run game. This is a young, athletic defense but lacks the strength in the middle to contend with the two-headed rushing attack of the Browns. Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb platoon in and out and are just battering the Steelers defensive front.
One important note for the second half. Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield injured his hand at the end of the first half. He hit his hand on the helmet of Bud Dupree and was taken immediately to the locker room.
[vertical-gallery id=455435]
[lawrence-related id=455452]
The Steelers inactives tell us they are shorthanded again today.
The inactives for the #Steelers in today's game vs. the Browns: QB Lynch, WR Smith-Schuster, CB Burns, RB Conner, OLB Skipper, T Okorafor, TE Gentry
— Bob Labriola (@BobLabriola) December 1, 2019
No big surprises from the Pittsburgh Steelers and their inactives this week against the Cleveland Browns. The team will go into this week’s game against the Browns without its top running back and wide receiver. Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster had already been ruled out but running back James Conner will also miss another game as he continues to deal with a bad shoulder.
The big story this week is quarterback Devlin Hodges getting the start. Without Smith-Schuster and Conner, the rest of the skill players have to step up and help the rookie quarterback. This means running back Benny Snell Jr. and wide receiver James Washington must carry over their performances from last week.
Also of note, offensive tackle Chuks Okorafor and cornerback Artie Burns are inactive this week. This is in addition to the usual suspects.
[vertical-gallery id=455435]
[lawrence-related id=455452]
The Steelers must run the ball and protect it this week.
There is no love lost between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers. They are going to square off this week to determine which team is in the driver’s seat for the final AFC playoff spot. The Browns already beat Pittsburgh once, and the Steelers cannot afford to let it happen again.
Here are the Steelers’ three keys to victory this week.
The first time these two teams played, Pittsburgh turned the football over four times. Meanwhile, the defense didn’t force a single turnover. This is part of the reason the Steelers turned to quarterback Devlin Hodges this week. No one is asking him to be Ben Roethlisberger but at this point he just needs to be better and taking care of the football than Mason Rudolph.
Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens likes to stir things up.
The rivalry between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns is really picking up steam in all the worst ways. The latest in this clown fiesta is courtesy of Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens. Kitchens was seen heading into a showing of “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” with his family wearing a shirt that said “Pittsburgh started it” in reference to the fight two weeks ago.
Browns’ fans started wearing the shirts as a way to troll the Pittsburgh fanbase. The fight between Steelers’ quarterback Mason Rudolph and Browns defensive end Myles Garrett was ugly for all involved and the Browns somehow feel like if they can pint some blame on Rudolph it’ll make the fact Garrett assaulted Rudolph with a football helmet seem less egregious.
Here’s the Instagram post from the company that made the shirts pic.twitter.com/WKL8F05I1w
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) November 30, 2019
[vertical-gallery id=455435]
[lawrence-related id=455365]
