CLEVELAND, Ohio – Browns fans, were you nervous, especially in the first half? Or even the third quarter?
Maybe the whole game had you thinking, “I don’t want to look!”
Perhaps you said that when Pittsburgh’s Chase Claypool made a brilliant catch of a 28-yard TD pass from Mason Rudolph early in the fourth quarter.
They’re not going to lose this game to Mason Rudolph…are they?
If you care about the team in the orange helmets, it was hard to even think about them losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
But there were times when…
I’m not going there.
Instead, just say this: Browns 24, Pittsburgh 22.
Now say this: PLAYOFFS!
That’s right, for the first time in 18 years, the Browns are going to the playoffs!
Make it, the 11-5 Browns (their best record since 1994) are in the playoffs for the first time since 2002.
Go ahead…smile.
It’s allowed.
IT WAS AGONIZING
You can make the point that this game meant nothing to the Steelers. You can mention that Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin kept starting QB Ben Roethlisberger at home, along with several other starters.
All of that is true.
But here’s the big point: In the name of Delvin “Duck” Hodges, the Browns are capable of losing to Pittsburgh any time – no matter who is at QB for the Steelers.
Instead, I’m going to mention this name…KhaDarel Hodge.
He made a pair of sensational catches to set up a TD for the Browns.
Or how about this name…M.J. Stewart.
He made a big interception in the fourth quarter.
Then there was Baker Mayfield, who seemed to have nerves that came out with several high throws and locking on to one receiver.
But Mayfield made two big runs, one to set up a TD and the other to ensure the clock would run out.
I don’t like how Mayfield played in this game, as he was 17-of-27 passing for 196 yards.
But he didn’t turn the ball over. He did enough to get the Browns into the playoffs in this 11-5 season.
And I didn’t like how Kevin Stefanski called this game, ofter forgetting the wonderful weapon the coach has in 1,000-yard rusher Nick Chubb.
Chubb had only 14 carries, but still rushed for 108 yards. Why not run him more?
But Stefanski has done a tremendous job this season.
A WIN IS A WONDERFUL WIN
Instead, I’m going to take a deep breath.
I’m going say one word…
If you’re a Browns fan, did you really think this would be easy?
These are the Browns.
And those are still the Steelers.
And history and ghosts of past Browns heartbreaking big games hung over FirstEnergy Stadium like the relentless gray clouds and damp, bone-chilling 38-degree temperature.
The 11,989 fans sounded like 111,000 at the game as they pounded on chairs, screamed until their throats were raw.
Bet some of them prayed, too.
How were you feeling when Pittsburgh scored a TD with 1:23 left? That made the score 24-22.
Then the Steelers went for the 2-point conversion.
Didn’t you think they’d convert, tying the game?
But they didn’t.
And didn’t you think the Steelers then would recover the on-side kick?
But they didn’t.
That’s the bottom line.
There was Chubb scoring on a 47-yard run. And there was Jarvis Landry scoring on a 3-yard end-around. And there was Austin Hooper catching a 2-yard TD on a play-action pass – perhaps Stefanski’s best call of the afternoon.
And there you are…
Browns fans, you have a playoff team!
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