The Cleveland Browns put forth an uninspiring effort against the division leading Pittsburgh Steelers. The Browns might be a team that wants to get into a rock fight, but the Steelers are experts. They had little trouble demonstrating why they're better in a battle of ugly football.
The Steelers were the more physical, veteran and savvy outfit. They made their share of mistakes, but were able to overcome them and produce explosive plays.
The Browns looked the part of a young team trying and failing to punch above its weight. Too often, they ended up flailing in the process. The Steelers certainly made the most of their bye week, coming up with an excellent gameplan on both sides of the ball to come away with a decisive victory at home, extending their commanding lead for the AFC North division.
Steelers shut down the Browns running game
The biggest strength the Browns had offensively coming into this game was their running game led by Quinshon Judkins. The Steelers put a heavy focus on taking away, consistently winning the line of scrimmage.
The Browns went to a third tackle, KT Leveston, along with extra tight ends. They didn't have success. More spread out against two-high safeties, they had no success. The little bit of life they showed was with players other than Judkins. Their longest run was 12 yards from Jerome Ford.
That was clearly the focus for the Steelers. It also fits into the design of their defense. They've made significant investments in the defensive line, headlined by Cam Heyward, recent second-round pick Keeanu Benton and their most recent first-round pick Derrick Harmon. Like the Browns, they also appear to have hit on a later round rookie with Yahya Black.
The Browns needed to be successful on the ground. It simply wasn't working. Even in the fourth quarter when the Steelers were playing softer zones and trying to salt away the clock, the Browns opened a set of downs with a Judkins handoff only to gain a single yard.