Steelers Rookies Sense the Importance of Rivalry

by Bo Marchionte
Published December 8, 2024, 06:03 PM

Pittsburgh, PA – The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 27-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns today adds another chapter to one of the NFL’s oldest and most intense rivalries. The Steelers and Browns first met on October 7, 1950, with the Browns dominating the early years of the rivalry, including a 55-27 win in that first game. However, the rivalry has shifted significantly over the decades.

The Steelers victory over Cleveland today was a statement win, serving as payback for their snow-filled loss to the Browns just two weeks ago. That defeat in Cleveland was marked by challenging conditions and an ineffective performance, leaving Pittsburgh frustrated and determined to respond.

Yeah, the stadium was absolutely incredible,” rookie Payton Wilson said after the Steelers 27-14 win over AFC North rival Browns. “Shout out to Steeler Nation. I’ve never experienced anything else, it’s the best (game) I’ve been a part of.”

That’s the type of impact the game had on Wilson, saying it was the best NFL experience of his rookie season. Being part of the Steelers victory at home over Cleveland and the pulse created by the fans.

Today marked another ‘W’ in the win column for the Steelers pushing the all-time series lead to 82-64-1. There was little doubt, Pittsburgh felt the need to even up the series this season after losing in the snow field air game a short time ago.

For most fans who cheer for the Browns the last shining moments of the franchise was when Boardman, Ohio native Bernie Kosar, quarterbacked led them to five consecutive playoff appearances which included three AFC Conference title games.

Then it all seemed to unravel. The firing of Bill Belichick and Art Modell moving the team to Baltimore left one of the most passionate fan bases teetering on one heartbreaking season after the next.

Despite the Browns lack success and wins usually coming few and far between of late. A win over the Steelers is the fuel that keeps the Browns fan base ignited. However, the Steelers did their best to distinguish any doubts on who rules to roost of late.

“It bests any away game we’ve been to,” Wilson said. “Nothing comes close. It was just awesome. It’s the cool thing about playing in this division. Anybody can win any game in this division, and you see it each single week.”

The Steelers mounted the first points of the game with a 30-yard Chris Boswell field goal. The 3-0 lead wouldn’t last long after Browns quarterback Jameis Winston connected with Jerry Jeudy for 35-yards to give Cleveland their only lead of the game.

Winston finished the game going 24 of 41 for 211 yards along with two touchdowns and unfortunately two more interruptions. With 13 touchdowns and nine picks, it’s dice when the former No. 1 overall from the 2015 NFL Draft drops back, especially when Clevelan is trailing.

Pittsburgh ability to get Najee Harris in the end zone and Boswell adding another field goal before they have built their lead to 13-3 prior the second half kickoff. That’s when the Steelers offense came alive after a sluggish start. While the first half saw both teams exchanging blows in a defensive struggle, Pittsburgh’s halftime adjustments were key to turning the tide.

“It didn’t start off the way we would like in terms of fluidity,” Mike Tomlin said after the Steelers moved to 10-3 on the season. “We weren’t converting third downs early on. But the guys found traction. I appreciate the defense providing some short fields and some splash plays.”

Russell Wilson was the perfect example of a slow start but flipping the script in the second half to push the game out of reach for Cleveland. In the first two quarters, Wilson went 8 of 16 for 46 with zero touchdowns. After the brief ten-minute intermission (halftime), Wilson threw two third quarter touchdowns, building a 27-7 lead

He would finish the second half with 112 passing yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions on 7 of 10 passing. His modest totals for both halves were 15 of 26 for 158 yards and two touchdown throws.

Amid the mini run of points, the Acrisure Stadium fans began a chorus of “Cleveland Sucks” chants. The exact words that help fuel the hate between these two fan bases. It coincides with the players feeding off the emotionally charged showdown.

“Guys were getting into it after the game,” Beanie Bishop said postgame. “It gets chippy during the game and things like that. It’s exciting. I mean, bad blood. It is what it is.”

I made a distinct point to grab the rookies involved in this afternoon’s game. Wanting to know if they felt the vibes pulsating from both fan bases that helped make up the 66,845 in attendance for today’s game.

A good friend of mine mentioned earlier last week he wished he could take a time machine to fast forward to today’s kickoff. To erase the bad memories of Pittsburgh’s loss in Cleveland in Week 12.

“So, you know, obviously, we dropped it in Cleveland,” Bishop said. “But being able to defend home, home field, you know, is something championship teams have to do.”

The gauntlet of games is on the horizon for Pittsburgh. Traveling to Philadelphia then to Baltimore only to return Christmas Day at home to take on the Kansas City Chiefs. This is the stretch everyone circled and for Pittsburgh standing at 10-3 overall and in first place of the AFC North is about as good as it could get.

“You don’t put any week ahead of any other,” veteran Cam Sutton said. “Obviously any games in the division have a bigger sense of urgency. So, obviously we’re just trying to do the best we can to position ourselves.”

The next three weeks for their opponents as well as the Steelers will have serious ramifications on how the postseason schedule will unfold.

Photo Credit Frank Hyatt/College2Pro.com