CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Entering the day, the Browns playoff chances were less than 1%.
They’re officially zero after the Steelers eliminated the Browns with a 27-14 win in Pittsburgh behind two touchdown passes from quarterback Russell Wilson and another two interceptions from Jameis Winston.
Here’s a few Brownie Bites from a painful to watch Week 14.
Streak goes on – The Browns lost for the 21st consecutive year in Pittsburgh during the regular season.
Imperfect 10 – The Browns lost their 10th game of the season giving them 18 10-loss seasons in 25 years since returning to the NFL in 1999. It is the second 10-loss season under head coach Kevin Stefanski. Meanwhile the Steelers have had just two 10-loss seasons over the same span and 15 10-win seasons.
Self-destruct mode – Whether it was pre-snap penalties, Germain Ifedi throwing a punch, Kadarius Toney getting flagged for taunting after flipping a football at the back of a Steelers player and later muffing a punt, or two more interceptions from Winston, this was just another disastrous performance as the Browns continue to play losing football.
Jameis giveth, Steelers taketh – Winston’s screen pass ended up in the hands of defensive tackle Keeanu Benton, who returned it 11 yards to the 31 to set up Najee Harris’ 1-yard touchdown run to give Pittsburgh a 10-7 lead with 11 minutes to play in the first half. It was the Steelers’ league-leading 26th takeaway and Winston’s eighth interception in six games. Winston threw his second interception of the game in the fourth quarter right after Myles Garrett recovered a fumble caused by Isaiah McGuire, who stripped Steelers running back Cordarrelle Paterson at midfield. Winston finished 24-41 for 212 yards, two touchdowns and the two interceptions.
Hopkins shankin’ – Kicker Dustin Hopkins cost the Browns dearly Sunday. Hopkins pushed a 38-yard field goal wide left in the closing seconds of the first half and the first drive of the second half ended with a 43-yard miss. Had Hopkins made both kicks, the game would’ve been tied at 13, but it helped the Steelers manufacture a 13-point swing after Russell Wilson hit Van Jefferson for a 10-yard touchdown and a 20-7 lead in the third quarter. Hopkins is 16-25 this season with five misses inside 49 and four outside 50.
Jeudy again – Jerry Jeudy hauled in a 35-yard touchdown to give the Browns a 7-3 first quarter lead after Winston evaded pressure on the play and let it rip as he approached the line of scrimmage. It was the longest touchdown pass allowed all season by the Steelers defense. Jeudy led the team with five catches for 4 yards and the score.
Inactives – Bailey Zappe (third QB), WR Cedric Tillman, RB D’Onta Foreman, CB Chigozie Anusiem, WR Jamari Thrash, DT Sam Kamara, DE James Houston
