Despite loss, Steelers still have edge in division
By Dale Lolley
For the Observer-Reporter
newsroom@observer-reporter.com
The Steelers’ 24-19 loss in Cleveland Thursday night was a disappointing one.
When you win the turnover battle 3-1, outgain your opponent by more than 50 yards, limit your opponent to one third-down conversion and hold a more than 10-minute advantage in time of possession, you should win.
But the Steelers, who usually win games in the margins, lost this one there.
They had a horrible punt at an inopportune time. They allowed the Browns to convert four fourth-down plays while going 1-for-3 themselves in such situations. They missed a field goal.
We can argue the idea of Mike Tomlin having Chris Boswell attempt a 58-yard field goal in such conditions, but Boswell has been excellent all season. And he was making field goal attempts from that spot in warmups.
Fact of the matter is, on a Thursday night against a 2-8 opponent who would find many ways to quit if the Steelers got off to a good start, they did not.
They didn’t start fast. They didn’t take advantage of Cleveland’s defense early in the game. And they lost.
But it’s also not as damaging a loss as it would have been had the Steelers lost Sunday to the Ravens and then beaten the Browns.
They went 1-1 in those two AFC North games. And while that’s not the best outcome, losing both would have been worse.
Beating the Ravens and losing to the Browns still gives the Steelers an edge over Baltimore heading down the stretch.
Ideally, they would have won both games. And this game, despite the Steelers’ mistakes and overall sloppiness, was there for them to win.
Unfortunately, they lost it in the margins.
• George Pickens cannot have meltdowns on the field like he did at the end of this game, when he got tangled up with cornerback Greg Newsome after a Hail Mary attempt.
He did it earlier this season after time expired in a game against the Cowboys, yanking a Dallas defensive back to the ground by the facemask, a situation that got him fined by the NFL.
He’s likely looking at another fine, at least, for going at it with Newsome after this game.
Future opponents will see that and feel they can get under his skin easily. And they’ll try to do so.
You have to be above that.
• Where’s the Steelers’ pass rush?
The Browns entered Thursday night having allowed 46 sacks, the most in the NFL. They had an inexperienced player at left tackle.
The Steelers had one sack.
The weather certainly played a factor. But the Steelers have only 25 sacks all season. That’s in the bottom half of the league.
Certainly Cleveland has been better protecting the quarterback since Deshaun Watson has been out. But the Steelers are paying their guys up front plenty of money to affect the quarterback.
That didn’t happen often enough against the Browns.
This week’s games
Ravens (minus 2½) at Chargers: Does Roquan Smith play for the Ravens or not? If Smith, who left last Sunday’s game against the Steelers with a hamstring injury, is out, then the Ravens are in trouble against this run-first offense. Even at that, the Chargers and Jim Harbaugh have a bunch of assistant coaches and players who used to be with John Harbaugh and the Ravens. Take the Chargers, 27-24.
Chiefs (minus 10½) at Panthers: The Chiefs should be spitting mad after losing to the Bills last week. Expect them to take their frustrations out on the Panthers. Kansas City doesn’t usually blow teams out any more, but this one feels different. Take the Chiefs, 27-13.
Buccaneers (minus 6) at Giants: The Giants are turning to Tommy DeVito at quarterback. They might be better off with Danny DeVito. Looks like they’re trying to tank. The Bucs will oblige them. Take the Bucs, 24-9.
Vikings (minus 3½) at Bears: The Vikings are 8-2, but have been squeaking by of late. Chicago showed some signs of life last week after a change at offensive coordinator. This feels like a divisional-game correction. Bears might not win it, but they’ll keep it close. Take the Bears to cover in a 23-20 loss.
Cowboys (plus 10½) at Commanders: Micah Parsons is back for the Cowboys, but Dak Prescott is done for the season. Cooper Rush vs. Jayden Daniels looks like a classic mismatch. Winning by double digits will be tough, but the Commanders will go for it after losing their past two games. Take Washington, 27-10.
49ers (plus 2½) at Packers: The 49ers are a star-laden team who are playing without several of their stars. The Packers don’t have a lot of stars, but they do have a bevy of good players. This line looks right. Take the Packers, 24-20.
Last week: 3-2 ATS, 3-2 straight up
Overall: 32-23 ATS; 37-18 straight up
Dale Lolley hosts The Drive on Steelers Nation Radio and writes a Sunday column for the Observer-Reporter.