Browns 13, Steelers 6

No matter what's going on during a season, whether it's a playoff-contending season or a lost one like this and so many others, any victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers is special. I hope one day a victory over them locks up an AFC North title for the Browns. But for now, I'll be happy with this one.

Screw Draft stock. Screw anything related to 2026. Just for this one day.

I would crawl over broken glass if it meant those Yinzer "Picksburg Stiller" fans in the City That Smells have egg on their faces! Is it petty? Yes. Is it small-minded? Yes. Do I care. Absolutely not! A rivalry is a rivalry. Simple as that!

How'd the Browns get it done today in the latest chapter of one of the NFL's oldest and most storied clashes? Let's take a look at the Keys to Victory!

Shedeur Sanders: A work in progress

Yes, Shedeur did throw a pair of picks today. He needs to clean that up. And I think he will. After the game next week, he'll have all offseason to rest, recuperate and look back on how things went.

But in a game like this that was low-scoring and kind of ugly offensively for both teams, you take stretches of solid quarterback play when you can get it. Shedeur showed glimpses of that today, and I am genuinely proud of him! Was it pretty? No. But he looked fearless spreading the ball around to his receivers, and that touchdown pass to Fannin was a thing of beauty! And the awareness of Fannin to realize the play wasn't over and to roll into the endzone after falling on his butt was amazing! That was a smart football play! He had fantastic situational awareness!

But any success offensively ran through number 12 today. Not bad kid! 17-23 for 186 yards, a TD and two picks. It wasn't pretty. But it IS something to build on. Get this kid a line and another strong wideout, turn him loose and see what he does!

The Dawg Defense: Rising to the occasion

I don't know what it is. But I'm starting to realize that every time we play the Steelers at home, one thing is certain: the Browns defense is going to "ugly things up", scrap, fight, and just make things miserable to Pittsburgh's offense. It's not always explosive (tons of sacks, hard hits). But any offensive effort by Pittsburgh in Cleveland against these guys, is going to be like trying to walk through quicksand or wet cement. Myles Garrett and Company force the Steelers to match their physicality, stubbornness, and they bend but don't break. Sometimes that's all it takes to win. It was today.

The Browns held the Steelers to a combined 3-18 on third and fourth down. Yes, the Steelers did outgain Cleveland 291 to 262, but when it came time to shut things down, the Browns got it done. When they had to have a crucial defensive stop, they got it. That last drive drove me crazy, but that fourth down stop with under 20 seconds to go was enormous! I just wish we'd finish games with finality instead of waiting until the last minute defensively. It's not good for my health! But I'll take it!

Andre Szmyt: Doing his best Phil Dawson impression

Okay, maybe that was an overreaction. But I had to smile at Andre's day today. I remember early in the season when he struggled. Yes, I was one of the Browns fans calling for him to be benched/cut. Especially after the early season loss to the Bengals.

But I really hope he gets a chance to keep the kicking job next season. He's grown on me a little bit. Especially when he helped lead the Browns to a win over Green Bay, and now here. I can't imagine what he's been through this year. He lost his mother just before the Green Bay game. But he's still going. I feel bad, and I owe him an apology for how I looked at him earlier in the season. Andre, I'm sorry, man. I'm sorry.

It's not easy being a kicker in the NFL. I look at it like a closer or relief pitcher in baseball. Both operate in high-pressure situations or close games. It's a mental game. If a closer/reliever or kicker are on mentally and they got their mechanics down, they can be automatic. But if not? They won't nail things down, and they'll soon be out of a job!

Add pressure to the wind and the rain today, and Andre did indeed channel Phil Dawson a little bit. Phil was one of the greatest kickers in Browns history because he could hit from almost anywhere, and end drives in points in any condition. He knew how the ball would move in different situations, and was utterly unfazed mentally. Phil was the man! I hope Andre kicks like that, and eventually nails much bigger field goals than the ones he hit today.

Andre was money from 50 yards to put the Browns on the board early, and from 33 to force Pittsburgh to have to drive the length of the field just to tie it. Way to go Andre!

The Browns are now 6-1-1 in their last eight games vs. the Steelers in Cleveland! Who would've guessed that one?! I sure didn't! But I'll take it!

Any win over the Steelers is a thing of beauty! GO BROWNS!

Statistical Leaders

Shedeur Sanders: 17-23, 186 yards, TD 2 INTs.

Dylan Sampson: 11 carries, 27 yards

Jerry Jeudy: 5 receptions, 54 yards

Sources

ESPN

CBS Sports

Picture Credit

msn.com