CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Ben Roethlisberger’s home finale with the Steelers at Heinz Field ended the same way so many others have against the Browns – a resounding victory.
Cleveland passed on Roethlisberger in the 2004 NFL Draft and Big Ben has stuck it to them every year since.
The best thing to come from Monday night, hopefully the Browns won’t ever have to play against him again.
Here are our Top Takeaways from the Browns 26-14 loss on Monday Night Football.
1. Embarrassing, disgraceful, an abomination. That doesn’t even begin to describe what took place at Heinz Field. The adjectives we’d like to use violate our standards and practices, but you get the picture. Just another clown show in what has been a litany of them since 1999.
2. After falling to 7-9, the Browns secured their 20th losing season in 23 years since returning to the league as an expansion team. They played like one Monday night.
3. The Haslams have now endured nine losing campaigns in 10 years since spending a billion for the franchise in 2012. They’re making money, so they’re probably pretty pleased about their bottom line these days, but the product on the field is once again unwatchable. Significant changes are likely coming.
The question is, where and how significant? Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski are safe.
4. Stefanski did not have a good night, and some would argue the same could be said for the entire season, calling plays. Nick Chubb’s absence – especially in the first half that saw Chubb get just four carries – was explained away by a rib injury according to the head coach. Chubb finished with just 12 carries for 58 yards.
5. Peyton and Eli Manning spent most of their non-guest time during the Manningcast taking a blowtorch to Stefanski’s offense. Their broadcast was the only thing that made the game watchable.
6. Baker Mayfield was putrid for pretty much the entire night, but he gets credit for the two second half touchdown drives. He started the night 5-17 with an interception before finishing the evening 16 of 38 for 185 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions and a rating of 53.1. He also had five passes batted down at the line of scrimmage.
7. Mayfield was sacked nine times with Defensive Player of the Year candidate T.J. Watt recording four of them. The Steelers smelled blood in the water all night and they feasted at his expense. As Mayfield fairly pointed out, Stefanski did him no favors with the protection plan up front.
8. In defense of Mayfield, the dropped passes were so frequent we lost count after six – and that was by halftime. He missed some throws, but his playmakers have to catch the football when it hits them square in the hands.
9. Mayfield said after the game he’ll consult with his family and agent about playing the season finale next week and when to have surgery on his left shoulder. Honestly, he shouldn’t have played Monday night. Mayfield’s willingness to play hurt deserves respect, but ultimately, he hurt the team more than helped it this season by doing so.
10. While Roethlisberger said farewell to the home crowd Monday night, could Mayfield be doing the same for the Browns soon? It’s hard to believe in 12 months Mayfield and the Browns went from the toast of the town following their Wild Card victory at Heinz Field to once again leaving that building with the specter of more dramatic change hovering over the horizon for the franchise.
11. Who throws a shoe? Jadeveon Clowney got flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after throwing Chase Claypool’s. It didn’t take the Steelers long to capitalize and score a touchdown after the free 15. Clowney redeemed himself with a couple of sacks and he has been stellar this season for the Browns. Bringing him back should be among the offseason priorities.
12. Another offseason priority should be extending Denzel Ward. He’s earned the payday he will receive.
13. Austin Hooper has been a massive disappointment considering the $42 million contract he received last year as a free agent. He set the tone for ineptitude Monday night on the opening drive. His inability to catch the football with regularity and also ability to fall over when he does catch it is maddening.
14. Let’s give David Njoku some major props. He caught all four targets for 28 yards, including a beautiful job high pointing the football for his fourth touchdown of the season to get the Browns on the board. His four receiving touchdowns sadly lead the team. That’s not a criticism of him, it’s a reflection on how impotent Stefanski’s offense has been this year. Njoku has earned serious consideration for a contract to stay here.
15. Once again the defense did their job while the offense was a no show. If it were not for Najee Harris’ garbage time touchdown in the final minute, it would’ve been the ninth time they held an opponent to under 20 points, but the Browns had only won five of those games. The final score did not reflect how well they played.
16. Roethlisberger’s reign of terror over the Browns ended in fitting fashion with the Steelers defense intercepting Mayfield for a second time allowing Big Ben to take the field for a victory kneel down to run out the clock. Over 18 years he went 26-3-1 against the Browns including 13-1 at home. The lone loss – last year’s 48-37 Wild Card beat down by the Browns. When he is enshrined in Canton, the Browns should absolutely be included among the list of thank yous in his acceptance speech.
17. Mike Tomlin – 15 years – and Roethlisberger – 18 – have never had a losing season in Pittsburgh.
18. Whatever culture that was built during the pandemic in 2020 has been obliterated this year. The disconnects – especially on the offensive side of the football – are apparent weekly. The blame is shared all around. Look for plenty of stories detailing the disconnects behind the scenes to surface in the coming weeks.
19. It's that time again, draft pick watch: the Browns are in the 13th position in the first round of the draft and are a loss away from potentially vaulting into the top 10.
20. One more to go. Can they avoid a 16th last place finish in 23 years?
