10 Thoughts: Steelers defense wasn't going to be bullied

Dec 08, 2024 at 07:00 PM

Dale Lolley

Contributing Writer/Editor

The Steelers weren't happy with how they played in a 24-19 loss Nov. 21 in Cleveland – especially on defense.

But the great thing about divisional games is that if you don't like the way you performed the first time around, you get an opportunity to do something about it.

The Steelers' defense took that to heart.

While Cleveland didn't necessarily have its way with the Steelers in that 24-19 win in the snow just a couple of weeks ago, it did enough to win the game, especially offensively where the Browns converted on four fourth-down plays and limited the Steelers to just one tackle for a loss.

Cleveland was the more physical team in that one. And that didn't sit well with the Steelers' defensive players.

It was a point of emphasis this week as the Steelers prepared for Sunday's game at Acrisure Stadium.

"The point of emphasis was to play Steelers football," said safety DeShon Elliott. "They out-physicaled us last time we played. We weren't going to let that happen again. We went out there and played how we're supposed to play. We played physical and we took the ball away."

The Steelers had just one tackle for a loss in that loss to the Browns a couple of weeks ago. They had seven in this game.

They played the game on Cleveland's side of the line of scrimmage, not their own.

The Browns finished this game with 104 rushing yards on 25 carries, but much of that was window dressing put up late in the third quarter and into the fourth when the Steelers were ahead by three scores.

For much of the game, the Browns' running backs were being hit at or behind the line of scrimmage. And it started on Cleveland's first offensive snap, as T.J. Watt dropped Nick Chubb for a 5-yard loss.

"I just wanted to come out and get involved as early as possible," said Watt. "I try to do that every week. It just energizes the group from the start."

It did in this game.

It was one of two 5-yard losses Cleveland running backs took in the game, as Elandon Roberts also have a tackle for a 5-yard loss on a fourth-and-1 run by the Browns, turning them over on downs at midfield.

For Roberts, it was a little bit of redemption – at least in his eyes.

"The key was just getting back to playing our style of game," Roberts said. "I was really down on myself. I just wanted to make sure I got back to rolling as one of the leaders on this team and get back moving in the right direction. In Cleveland, there was a fourth-and-1 that I missed the tackle on. And then last week, I missed some plays. I just wanted to get back to doing what I feel I needed to do to help my team."

This is not only a very good defense, it's a proud defense.

And it always wants to be the more physical team on the field. That might not always mean that it leads to a win. But you can always manage your own physicality.

"I feel like if we play together, we can be a great defense," said Elliott, who led the defensive effort Sunday with 13 tackles. "We got the guys up front. It starts there. It starts with the bigs. If the bigs are having a great game, it makes everyone else's job easier. We have great linebackers and we have a technically sound and play-making secondary.

"Once we get going, I think we're a great defense. We will be a great defense. We haven't shown it full yet. Once we put a good game together, everyone will see that."

What the Steelers have been thus far is an opportunistic defense that makes big plays.

There were plenty of them in this game. The Steelers sacked Cleveland quarterback Jameis Winston three times. They hit him six times and hurried him into a number of bad throws with 16 pressures, according to NFL NextGen stats. They intercepted Winston twice and turned Cleveland over on downs another time. They limited the Browns to two third down conversions on 13 attempts.

With the offense playing without one of its top playmakers – wide receiver George Pickens – it was exactly what was needed.

"That's complementary ball," said nose tackle Keeanu Benton, who had one of the interceptions of Winston. "It's not going to be the same every week. Sometimes, (the offense) might be lacking, and we pick up where we left off or vice versa. I just can't wait until that time when we all are on the same page and scoring a lot of points and getting off the field fast."

You're not going to completely shut down an NFL offense for four quarters. You just aren't based on the way the game is officiated in this day and age.

But if you can slam the door on an opponent's running game early and put it behind the chains, you can do a lot of good things, especially if you have guys in the secondary – or a nose tackle, for that matter – that can catch the ball, and players capable of getting to the quarterback.

The Steelers have plenty of all of those things.

Sunday's win doesn't completely erase the thoughts of what happened in Cleveland a few weeks ago, but it was a reckoning of sorts. It set things a little more right – the way they should be.

"I would say yes because when you are better than a team, you know you are better than a team, you go in there, lay a big old goose egg on Thursday night, it really sucks," said Elliott. "At the same time, it was not a get-back game. It was just for us to fix those things we know we're good at, things that shouldn't have happened in the first place."

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers safety Miles Killebrew (28) and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Ben Skowronek (15) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers punter Corliss Waitman (8) and Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers guard Mason McCormick (66) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers running back/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson (84) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Cory Trice Jr. (27) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers guard Mason McCormick (66) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Scotty Miller (13) and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers tight end/fullback Connor Heyward (83) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51), Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) and Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts (50) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers punter Corliss Waitman (8) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo (73) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Tyler Matakevich (44), Pittsburgh Steelers safety Miles Killebrew (28) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers safety Miles Killebrew (28) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88), Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) and Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Preston Smith (91) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers offense during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams (18) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Broderick Jones (77) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Broderick Jones (77) and Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson (11) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson (11) and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson (11) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson (11), Pittsburgh Steelers tight end MyCole Pruitt (81), and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. (31) and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) and Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) and Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. (31) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) \during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Terrible Towels during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Fans during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington (80) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51), Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Isaiahh Loudermilk (92) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Cory Trice Jr. (27), Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) and Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Fans during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Fans during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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A fan during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers long snapper Christian Kuntz (46) and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Ben Skowronek (15) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Ben Skowronek (15) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee (23) and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (25) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Scotty Miller (13) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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A general view during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. The Steelers defeated the Browns 27-14. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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The 2024 Hall of Honor nominees were recognized at halftime during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. The Steelers defeated the Browns 27-14. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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The offense huddles during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. The Steelers defeated the Browns 27-14. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Fans during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. The Steelers defeated the Browns 27-14. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (25) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. The Steelers defeated the Browns 27-14. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers punter Corliss Waitman (8) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. The Steelers defeated the Browns 27-14. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) and Pittsburgh Steelers punter Corliss Waitman (8) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. The Steelers defeated the Browns 27-14. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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The offense during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. The Steelers defeated the Browns 27-14. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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• Playing without Pickens, who was ruled out Sunday morning after testing a hamstring injury that cropped up on Friday, the offense got off to a bit of a slow start.

But the defense set the offense up twice in the first half with short fields that helped kick-start things.

First came Watt's tackle for a loss and then an Alex Highsmith sack that had the Browns kicking from deep in their own territory. An 11-yard return of a punt by Calvin Austin III put the Steelers in Chris Boswell's range to open that possession.

Then came Benton's interception of a screen pass early in the second quarter that he returned 11 yards to the Cleveland 36.

"Usually, the guy across from you is supposed to block you," said Benton, noting he hadn't had an interception since high school. "When it's a screen, they don't. So, you find the ball or you find the running back, whoever they're throwing it to."

That set up Najee Harris for a 1-yard touchdown and a 10-7 lead the Steelers would not relinquish the rest of the way.

The offense finally started to put things together in the second half, as Russell Wilson completed 7 of 10 passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns after throwing for just 46 yards in the first half.

By the time Wilson was done, nine different Steelers had caught passes, none for more than tight end Pat Freiermuth's 48 yards.

It was varied and efficient, even if it didn't lead to a monster day in terms of yardage.

"I think Russ just does a great job of finding the open guy, honestly," said Scotty Miller, who caught three passes for 38 yards. "His belief in all of us gives us that confidence to go out and perform."

• Miller hadn't caught a pass since the Steelers beat the Chargers back in Week 2. He had just two targets – both against the Giants – since then and was inactive for several of those weeks.

And he didn't know he would be playing in this game until a couple of minutes before the inactive lists are submitted about an hour and a half before the game.

"I didn't know until about 3 minutes before the inactives came out. I'm just sitting there chilling in my clothes. Somebody came over and told me I was playing," Miller said. "I thought George was going to be out there. It's crazy, but when it happens, you've got to be ready to take advantage of it."

Miller made one of the biggest catches in the game. The Browns had scored a touchdown to pull within 13 points with just over 7 minutes to play. On third-and-7 from the Pittsburgh 33, Wilson dropped back to pass and threw a fade to Miller down the sideline in front of the Steelers bench. Miller beat Martin Emerson for the catch, getting both feet down in bounds before he was forced out on a 20-yard catch.

The Browns challenged the play and lost the challenge, burning the first of their three timeouts. So, even though Cordarrelle Patterson would lose a fumble a couple of plays later, the Steelers ran another minute off the clock and forced the Browns to burn a timeout.

"I have had a great rapport with Russ since he signed here and I signed here. A lot of us went out to LA and threw there. It's easy playing with him," Miller said.

"I think Russ just does a great job of finding the open guy, honestly. His belief in all of us gives us that confidence to go out and perform."

Even if you don't always know when or if you're going to be active.

That's why there's value in having a player such as Miller on the roster. A six-year veteran, he's been around long enough to know how quickly things can change. And you'd better be ready when they do.

It's a great lesson for young players.

"Yeah. It's a fine line between being inactive, being on the practice squad and something happening and you being right out there in the thick of it," Miller said. "That's kind of the mindset I've always had. I have great belief in myself."

• If you just looked at the box score, you might think Cleveland defensive end Myles Garrett had a good game.

You'd be wrong.

Well into the fourth quarter, Garrett had one tackle. One.

He recovered Patterson's fumble with just over five minutes remaining. He then picked up a sack after James Pierre had recorded the Steelers' second interception against Winston when Wilson was essentially looking to not stop the clock with an incompletion and spun out of the pocket into Garrett's arms.

Garrett, apparently not realizing his team was down 27-14 with less than five minutes remaining, gestured to the crowd to celebrate the sack, eliciting a cacophony of boos.

Dan Moore was up to the task against Garrett in this game. In fact, for the majority of the game, Garrett was a non-entity. That's not a one-man job, but Moore had primary responsibility.

He should take the bow that Garrett did.

• It's easy to look at Chris Boswell's season and understand he's having a great season.

He's now made 36 of 39 of his field goal attempts this season, including 11 of 13 from 50 yards and beyond. His only miss inside of 50 yards came on a block last week in Cincinnati that was certainly not his fault, even though it counts against him.

Cleveland's Dustin Hopkins missed two kicks Sunday and is now 16 of 23 for the season on field goal attempts.

Baltimore's Justin Tucker is 19 of 27. Cincinnati's Evan McPherson was 16 of 22 before going on IR last week.

It's such an advantage having Boswell in these divisional games, which are often decided by one score – or would have been had Hopkins made his kicks Sunday.

But Boswell isn't just the best kicker in the AFC North, he's the best in the NFL. Period.

• One of the biggest questions regarding the Steelers this season was what would happen if Pickens had to miss a game?

Acquiring Mike Williams at the trade deadline certainly helped the team with its depth in that regard. But Williams had played just 70 snaps in four games since joining the Steelers, catching one pass, albeit an important one as it was the game-winner against Washington.

Sunday, Williams chipped in three catches for 36 yards. He also had a 26-yard catch erased by a questionable offensive pass interference penalty in the first half.

"Had a few big plays," said Williams. "One of them was pass interference. I don't know how. I'm just a big guy."

It might not have been the breakout game for which some have been hoping, but it was a meaningful step.

Williams showed the coaching staff – and Wilson – he can be counted on in big moments. Expect his contributions to continue as the Steelers move forward.

• What a difference a couple of weeks can make.

Corliss Waitman had a bad punt – perhaps his only really bad kick of the season – in the first meeting with the Browns, shanking a ball from deep in his own end in the blowing snow that gave the Browns the ball at the 45 needing a field goal to go ahead.

In this one, Waitman averaged 52.3 yards per kick. In Pittsburgh. In December.

And he saved his best kick for last, sending a rocket 58 yards with three minutes remaining that drove Cleveland return man Kadarius Toney backwards to attempt to catch the ball. He didn't and Ben Skowronek was there to fall on the loose ball, allowing the Steelers to run out the clock.

• Cam Heyward had five tackles, two sacks, two quarterback hits and two tackles for a loss.

Heyward now has eight sacks this season. At 35.

And he has 88 in his career. Only Watt has more as a member of the Steelers.

"Cam at 45 years old is out there getting two sacks a game. That's crazy," Elliott said with a smile.

Heyward has been the best defensive tackle in football this season and he might be having his best season overall.

That's saying something considering Heyward has been named All-Pro four times already in his career.

• Wilson now has 73 games in his career in which he's thrown at least two touchdown passes with no interceptions. That ties him with Peyton Manning for the fifth-most such games in NFL history.

Only Tom Brady (122), Aaron Rodgers (108), Drew Brees (88) and Brett Favre (74) have more.

• Dale Lolley is co-host of "SNR Drive" on Steelers Nation Radio. Subscribe to the podcast here: Apple Podcast | iHeart Podcast Pittonline@iheartmedia.com

Wilson was exactly what the Steelers needed him to be in this game, even though he only threw for 158 yards. The Browns got a hand on exactly one football all game, breaking up one pass.

Wilson didn't put the ball in harm's way.

He also utilized his legs a little more than he had thus far this season, and went to some pace to catch the Browns in some packages the Steelers felt benefitted them.

One of those times included a 10-yard touchdown pass to Van Jefferson.

"It's just a play we have, a hurry-up play," Jefferson said. "Russ did that on the fly and called it. It was a great job of executing by him and me being in the right spot.

"I was just open. I sat in the zone and Russ found me."

• The Steelers are now 3-1 in AFC North games and have beaten all three of their divisional opponents at least once with two more games remaining on the schedule, Dec. 21 at Baltimore and Jan. 5 at Acrisure Stadium against the Bengals.

It also means that the Steelers are now 8-2 in their past 10 AFC North games after going 5-1 last season.

At 10-3, they're also now tied with the Bills, who lost against the Rams Sunday, for the second-best record in the AFC while holding a two-game lead over the Ravens in the division.

Their win, while it didn't officially clinch a playoff spot, all but guaranteed it.

Since 1990, teams that start the season 10-3 have made the playoffs all 78 times it has happened. They have won their respective division on 60 of 78 of those instances.

There's still work to be done, for sure. But this is now a team that has won seven of its past eight games.

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