Steelers Top Browns Even Without Kicker: NFL Writers Weigh In

Pittsburgh PA

01 November, 2021

8:23 AM

Description

PITTSBURGH, PA — The Steelers returned home Sunday after securing a 15-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns and surviving a bad fake field goal attempt in which kicker Chris Boswell suffered a concussion and was forced to leave the game. Here's what sports writers across the county wrote about the game that resulted in the Steelers (4-3) escaping the AFC North and the Browns (4-4) replacing them there: Jenny Vrentas, Sports Illustrated: "(Boswell's) injury was the worst part of this play, but former NFL referee and current CBS analyst Gene Steratore pointed out that the Browns actually should have been called for roughing the passer (even though the passer was a kicker, in this case), which would have given the Steelers a fresh set of downs."Nick Shook, NFL.com: "Sometimes, the difference between a win and loss comes down to culture. In this game, the Steelers' history of success, ability to fight and continued defensive excellence proved to be the difference...Cleveland beat Pittsburgh in the playoffs last season, but the Steelers are still the franchise that knows how to win the tough ones. They did exactly that Sunday."Brooke Pryor, ESPN: "Even without a place-kicker in the second half, the Steelers proved resilient in their first meeting with the Browns this season. Neither side of the ball earned any style points, but the offense did just enough to grind out a win. Defensively, the Steelers mostly neutralized the league's best run game and held the Browns to fewer than 100 yards rushing."John Breech, CBS Sports: "Pittsburgh got a herculean effort by its defense, who held the Browns to their lowest scoring output since Week 10 of the 2020 season. ... Offensively, the Steelers achieved near perfect offensive balance with 37 pass attempts and 32 running plays. They received a gritty effort from Ben Roethlisberger, who completed 64.7 percent of his throws for 266 yards."Terry Pluto, Cleveland Plain Dealer: "If you're a Browns fan, this game hurts in so many ways. This team you've grown to love lost to Pittsburgh...that's right....PITTSBURGH...when the Steelers had less talent and more heart than the Browns. Want to feel even worse? The Steelers were mentally and physically tougher than the Browns."Next: Chicago Bears at Steelers, Nov. 8, 8:15 p.m. Be the first to know what's happening in your community and region. With a free Patch subscription, you'll always be up to date on local and state news: https://patch.com/subscribe.