Nick Chubb rushed for 108 yards and a touchdown while Baker Mayfield threw for 193 yards and one touchdown to Austin Hooper to lead the Cleveland offense.
The Browns finish the season at 11-5 and will be the 6th seed in the playoffs, which earns them a trip back to Pittsburgh, where they lost earlier this season 38-7, and a Sunday night rematch with these very same Steelers- this time they'll be playing the varsity squad.
Brownie Bits
1) Keep this in mind- almost all of the Steelers key players on defense didn't play in this game, Ben Rothlisberger sat out in favor of Mason Rudolph, and it still was a two-point win that was played down to the wire at home.
2) As excited as I am about finally kicking the playoff drought to the curb, there is still a talent difference between the Browns and the other playoff teams and while the Browns are competitive at the top of the roster with top talent, they lack the depth that those teams have.
There is the difference between the Browns and better teams- the test in the offseason is catching the Browns up with those franchises.
3) Covid-19 has shown the difference in depth because you cannot count on anything from week to week and what seems to be a position of strength can turn into a vulnerable spot in one day.
The Browns depth becomes even more of a factor in this year of all years- I have a feeling in one way or another that this will be a factor in Pittsburgh.
4) Baker Mayfield wasn't spectacular, but he was solid and didn't turn the ball over.
Mayfield was steady at the wheel and in a game that needed a calm hand, Mayfield was able to provide an even keel.
5) Mayfield also should get some credit for not tipping off the called running play for himself at the end
of the game.
At times, a quarterback can show his hand on running plays because in most cases, it's not what they naturally do and it can show.
Mayfield didn't look like he was going to run and that may have made all the difference.
6) However, once again Kevin Stefanski may have overcoached a bit and didn't use his top weapon nearly enough.
Nick Chubb only carried fourteen times for his one hundred plus yards and seemed to be ignored for the second week in a row.
7) BUT I'm going to give Kevin Stefanski the benefit of the doubt- Could the lack of use of Nick Chubb be as simple as using a different gameplan for one game against the Steelers and using the running game more in the next game?
If it works out next Sunday, it's a genius move, but awfully risky with the playoffs on the line.
8) The Browns took a huge loss when Oliver Vernon was lost for the season with an injured Achilles tendon.
Vernon had sacked Mason Rudolph earlier in the game and had another tackle for loss.
Vernon was playing well over the last month and it's a huge loss for the Browns opposite Myles Garrett.
The injury couldn't have come at a worse time for Vernon, who is scheduled to hit the free agent market at the end of the season.
9) There was only one turnover between the two teams and it was a big one as M.J. Stewart, who hasn't seen as much action as I would have thought starting the season, intercepted Mason Rudolph in the third quarter at midfield and returned it thirty yards to the Steeler 20.
Stewart hung back and stepped in front of JuJu Smith-Schuster to grab a Billy Kilmeresque pass that was caused by the pass rush from Jacob Phillips and an interior lineman (I kept watching the replay and cannot catch a number) that would set up Jarvis Landry's three yard touchdown run.
10) I've always cut Mack Wilson breaks on his missed tackles because I like his energy and physical skills. But it's hard when you see those chances for big plays go by because Wilson doesn't wrap up.
At least twice yesterday, Wilson had chances to make big plays for sizable losses and the running back broke Wilson's tackle attempt to move up field.
11) Wilson should be looking over his shoulder at the improved play of Jacob Phillips, who finished with eight solo tackles and the earlier noted hit on Mason Rudolph that caused the errant throw that M.J. Stewart intercepted.
Phillips has dealt with injuries this season and it'll be interesting to see if Phillips can stay healthy and in the lineup for the long haul.
12) Can the Browns win in Pittsburgh Sunday night?
Yes. Is it likely? No, but it's possible.
I may have a preview later in the week, so I won't dig too deep now, but there is a path to victory and it's different that many may think....
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