Steelers Takeaways: Pittsburgh dominates Browns in convincing 27-6 victory

The Pittsburgh Steelers entered Sunday’s rematch with the Cleveland Browns looking to avenge their Week 4 loss and extend their three-game winning streak. They accomplished both, and did so in a fashion that should leave fans feeling pretty good heading into the bye week.

Pittsburgh’s 27-6 victory wasn’t necessarily a showcase for Aaron Rodgers and the passing game, but it didn’t need to be. The Steelers controlled the line of scrimmage, ran the football effectively and made life miserable for Cleveland’s offense. It was the kind of performance that Mike McCarthy‘s team has been building toward over the last several weeks.

Now sitting at 6-2, the Steelers have won four consecutive games, and there’s a lot to like about how they’ve gotten there.

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The running game has become Pittsburgh’s identity

It’s difficult to imagine many people predicting that the Steelers would rush for 200 yards against Cleveland, but that’s exactly what happened.

Pittsburgh averaged 6.1 yards per carry, scored three rushing touchdowns and repeatedly found ways to move the chains without relying on Rodgers to carry the offense.

Jaylen Warren was outstanding, finishing with 143 yards on 17 carries, including a 51-yard run on third-and-13 that completely changed the complexion of an early possession. Rico Dowdle added 56 yards on 15 attempts and scored Pittsburgh’s first touchdown on a nine-yard run.

The Steelers also benefited from an offensive line that continues to improve. While there were a few negative plays, Pittsburgh’s blockers created opportunities for both running backs and allowed only one sack throughout the afternoon.

Perhaps the most encouraging development is that the Steelers no longer appear dependent on one running back to generate production. Warren provides the explosive plays, Dowdle offers another physical option, and the offensive line is beginning to give both players opportunities to succeed.

The defense made Cleveland one-dimensional

The Browns managed just 34 rushing yards on 15 attempts, averaging a miserable 2.3 yards per carry. Rookie Quinshon Judkins, who entered the game as Cleveland’s leading rusher, was held to 25 yards on 11 attempts.

That inability to establish the run forced Cleveland into a predictable passing attack, and the Steelers took full advantage.

Pittsburgh recorded eight sacks for 41 lost yards, with T.J. Watt leading the way with two sacks. Patrick Queen and Cameron Heyward each added 1.5, while Nick Herbig contributed another.

Queen was particularly impressive, finishing with 12 combined tackles, a forced fumble and a pass defensed. His strip of Deshaun Watson in the first quarter, recovered by Keeanu Benton, gave Pittsburgh possession in Cleveland territory and helped set up Dowdle’s touchdown.

The Browns finished with 319 total yards, but that number doesn’t tell the entire story. Much of their passing production came while trailing by multiple scores, and Cleveland failed to score a touchdown despite reaching Pittsburgh’s red zone three times.

The Steelers made the most of… most of their opportunities

Pittsburgh’s first two possessions began in Cleveland territory following fumbles, although the Steelers failed to capitalize on the first when Chris Boswell missed a 57-yard field goal. The second opportunity was different, as Pittsburgh drove 45 yards in five plays to take a 7-0 lead.

One of the game’s most important sequences came just before halftime. Coach McCarthy wisely spent a timeout to preserve time for the Steelers offense to operate.  After Cleveland trimmed the deficit to 13-6 with 45 seconds remaining, the Steelers offense made the most of that time.

Warren broke loose for 23 yards, Rodgers connected with Pat Freiermuth for 28 more, and Germie Bernard added a 15-yard reception to put the ball at the one-yard line.

Rather than settle for another field goal, Pittsburgh used a direct snap to Freiermuth, who plunged into the end zone with one second remaining. That 44-second touchdown drive gave the Steelers a 20-6 halftime advantage and took away any momentum Cleveland might have gained.

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Darnell Washington continues to create mismatches

Washington finished with three receptions for 94 yards, including a 58-yard catch-and-run that set up Warren’s one-yard touchdown in the third quarter. That play extended Pittsburgh’s lead to 27-6 and effectively put the game out of reach.

For a Steelers offense that hasn’t consistently generated explosive plays through the air, Washington’s emergence as a receiving threat is significant. His size and ability to create yards after the catch give Rodgers another option, particularly when defenses focus their attention on DK Metcalf.

Metcalf was limited to one reception for four yards, and a poor bobble that led to an interception. However, Pittsburgh still found enough offense to win comfortably. That’s an encouraging sign for a team that has occasionally struggled when its primary receiving options are contained.

There are still things to clean up

Despite the lopsided final score, Pittsburgh’s offense wasn’t flawless. Rodgers completed 13 of 25 passes for 172 yards with an interception, and the Steelers converted only four of 11 third downs.

The red-zone offense also remains a concern. Pittsburgh scored touchdowns on three of five trips inside Cleveland’s 20-yard line, but an 86-yard drive stalled at the two-yard line early in the second quarter, and another promising possession ended with a field goal after Rodgers was sacked.

Those missed opportunities didn’t matter against a Browns team that couldn’t find the end zone, but they could become more significant against stronger opponents.

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Final thoughts

The Steelers have won games in different ways this season, but Sunday’s performance may have been their clearest example yet of what this team wants to become. Pittsburgh ran the football, controlled the trenches and played aggressive defense while limiting the mistakes that plagued them earlier in the year.

They also exposed a Cleveland team that had won several games by keeping games close. Winning a head-to-head matchup, and by the score differential, placed the Steelers into sole possession of first place in the AFC North.

Yet, there’s still room for improvement, particularly in the passing game and on third downs. However, entering the bye week at 6-2 with four consecutive victories is a pretty good place to be, especially after getting some revenge against a division rival.