[2022] Browns Bulletin, Week 9 - Steelers Avenge Earlier Loss

[Piercewise1]

 

In their first rematch of the season, the Browns fell to a revamped Pittsburgh team by a score of 16-7. The teams had previously met in week 1, with the Browns winning 24-5.

 

“Nothing’s guaranteed in this league,” @Piercewise1 said after the game. “But I was hoping for better, given we were at home and had dominated them in the opener. Obviously they’ve made significant changes since then, which really seem to be working. Still, I thought we’d be more competitive.”

 

QB James Rivera threw an interception for the third straight game, after only throwing 1 during the team’s 5-0 start, and was held under 200 passing yards. The usually electric Juan Mora rushed for 80 yards on 21 carries and caught 5 passes for 18 yards. The two Steelers games are the only times he has been held under 100 rushing yards.

 

“We moved the ball okay but didn’t have the explosive power to gain chunks of yards at a time,” the GM continued. “We’d take six or seven plays to get to midfield, and then the drive would just peter out. We need more big plays on offense if we want to compete at a high level.”

 

The defense mostly did its job, outside of a single play in the 1st quarter when Dario Tamayo broke free for a 53-yard touchdown. Both starting safeties recorded interceptions, and the front seven combined for 8 TFLs. But they got ground down by a Pittsburgh offensive plan that pounded the run, accumulating over 230 yards on 47 attempts. Bit by bit they gave way, allowing 3 field goals that provided the final margin.

 

The Steelers have now won 5 of their last 7 games after an 0-2 start. Meanwhile the Browns opened the season 5-0 but tied with Minnesota and then lost their next two to fall to 5-2-1. Next week they have their first game of the year against the Bengals (6-3); the winner will gain a significant lead in the AFC North race.