Cleveland Browns officially eliminated from playoffs in error-filled loss to Steelers

Chris Easterling Akron Beacon Journal

PITTSBURGH — The Browns couldn't get out of one franchise house of horrors with a win last Monday night when they threw away a potential win at the Denver Broncos. They had another chance to exorcise decades of disappointment in another place Sunday afternoon.

Turns out, history is really hard for the Browns to shake. Cleveland went into Pittsburgh on Sunday and continued what has now turned into more than two decades of misery in the Steel City.

The Browns were officially eliminated from playoff contention as they lost their 21st consecutive regular-season game in Pittsburgh with a 27-14 loss to the Steelers.

The loss prevented the Browns (3-10) from achieving their first series sweep of the Steelers since 1988. Instead, it's the 16th time in 33 seasons the teams have split the season series, the same number of times Pittsburgh has swept the series in that span.

The Browns were only down 13-7 at halftime. Kicker Dustin Hopkins missed a 38-yard field goal with less than 30 seconds remaining in the half that could've pulled them closer, which was made even worse when he missed a 43-yarder to open the third quarter.

Pittsburgh (10-3) opened up a 27-7 lead through three quarters.

Quarterback Jameis Winston was 24-of-41 passing for 211 yards with two touchdowns, two interceptions and a 68.2 passer rating. The Browns turned the ball over three times, compared to just once by the Steelers.

Here's how the Browns' latest trip to the Steel City unfolded this afternoon:

Greg Newsome II appears to suffer leg injury on Kadarius Toney's muffed punt

The Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II appeared to injure his left leg on the muffed punt late by teammate Kadarius Toney. He eventually walked to the locker room before the game ended.

Steelers, Browns trade late 4th quarter turnovers

The Steelers' Cordarrelle Patterson was stripped by Browns defensive end Isaiah McGuire and the ball was recovered by Myles Garrett at the 50. Two plays later, quarterback Jameis Winston overthrew wide receiver Elijah Moore and the ball was intercepted by Pittsburgh's James Pierre with 3:57 remaining.

David Njoku gets into the end zone in 4th quarter

The Browns pulled within 27-14 of the Steelers with 7:19 remaining. Quarterback Jameis Winston threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to tight end David Njoku, who he went up and got it over a Steelers defender in the front right corner of the end zone.

Cleveland Browns go from 3rd and short to 4th and 24, punt

The Browns had a third and 1 from the Steelers 16 on the first play of the fourth quarter. However, a false start and a sack by Cameron Heyward, with a post-play unnecessary roughness penalty on Browns offensive tackle Germain Ifedi, eventually left Cleveland with fourth and 24 from the Pittsburgh 39.

End 3rd quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers 27, Cleveland Browns 7

The Browns are down 20 heading into the final 15 minutes of the game in Pittsburgh

Steelers avalanche is on with Russell Wilson to Pat Freiermuth TD

The rout is on for the Steelers. Pittsburgh opened up a 27-7 lead with 3:51 remaining in the third quarter when quarterback Russell Wilson found tight end Pat Freiermuth on the seam route for a 20-yard touchdown.

Jerome Ford dropped for 4th-and-short loss by Steelers defense

The Browns were about a yard shy of the first down at the Pittsburgh 49. Instead of sneaking the ball with quarterback Jameis Winston, they tried a sweep with running back Jerome Ford, who was dropped for a 5-yard loss by Pittsburgh's Elandon Roberts.

Russell Wilson to Van Jefferson to open up Pittsburgh Steelers' lead

The game is starting to get away from the Browns. The Steelers turned the second Dustin Hopkins missed field goal into a 20-7 lead when quarterback Russell Wilson found a wide-open Van Jefferson in the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown with 8:37 remaining in the third quarter.

Dustin Hopkins fails again to help Cleveland Browns

Dustin Hopkins missed another field goal that could've help the Browns get a little closer. This time, he pushed a 38-yard field goal wide right with 12:40 remaining in the third quarter,

Jerome Ford gives Cleveland Browns spark to open 2nd half

The Browns got a spark to open the second half. Jerome Ford returned the second-half kickoff 56 yards to the Pittsburgh 39.

Halftime: Pittsburgh Steelers 13, Cleveland Browns 7

The Browns failed to close the gap at the end of the first half. They will get the ball to start the second half.

The Steelers have a 127-124 edge in total yards.

Dustin Hopkins continues to struggle with late-half kick

Dustin Hopkins missed wide left on yet another sub-50-yard field goal attempt. This one was a 38-yarder he pushed left with 23 seconds left in the half.

Chris Boswell extends Steelers lead with 54-yard FG

Pittsburgh's best true drive of the game got bogged down after an offensive pass interference call on wide receiver Mike Williams. That ultimately forced them to kick a 54-yard field goal by Chris Boswell, to push the lead to 13-7 with 4:21 remaining in the half.

Steelers turn interception into Najee Harris TD run

Pittsburgh capitalized on the interception, capping five-play drive with a 1-yard touchdown run by Najee Harris with 11 minutes remaining in the half. A big play on the drive was a 16-yard pass interference penalty against cornerback Greg Newsome II on a third-and-7 play from the Browns 28.

Jameis Winston throws 1st interception of game to Keeanu Benton

Browns quarterback Jameis Winston threw his first interception of the game with just over 13 minutes remaining in the first half. Steelers defensive lineman Keeanu Benton stepped in front of a screen pass intended for running back Nick Chubb and intercepted it, returning it to the Browns 31.

End 1st quarter: Cleveland Browns 7, Pittsburgh Steelers 3

The Browns took a 7-3 lead into the second quarter over the Steelers. Cleveland has a 69-45 edge in total yards.

Mike Ford Jr. back in game on Cleveland Browns' 2nd punt

The Browns offense managed to, with some help from a questionable roughing the passer penalty against Pittsburgh's Alex Highsmith, get to the Steelers 41. It had to punt from there, with the ball being downed at the Steelers 10.

Mike Ford Jr. returned to the field on the punt. He was cleared on his head evaluation.

Mike Ford Jr. questionable to return for Cleveland Browns

Special teams ace Mike Ford Jr. is questionable to return for the Browns. Ford was being evaluated for a head injury.

Jameis Winston to Jerry Jeudy for 1st-quarter TD pass

Jameis Winston avoided the pressure, as well as getting completely across the line of scrimmage, to throw a 35-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jerry Jeudy. The pass, plus Dustin Hopkins' point-after kick, gave the Browns a 7-3 lead with 5:50 remaining in the first quarter.

Winston got near the line of scrimmage, the Steelers 35, but released the ball before crossing the line.

Mike Ford Jr. to the locker room with trainers for Cleveland Browns

Special teams ace Mike Ford Jr. jogged to the locker room with 9:32 remaining with trainers in tow for the Browns. Ford had been taken originally to the medical tent with the NFL independent spotter going in with him after the Cleveland punt to end its first possession.

There's been no immediate update on Ford's injury or status.

Chris Boswell gives Pittsburgh Steelers 1st-quarter lead with FG

Chris Boswell put the Steelers on the board with a 30-yard field goal with 9:32 remaining in the first quarter. That capped Pittsburgh's second drive, which started at the Cleveland 36 after a Calvin Austin 11-yard punt return.

Cleveland Browns opening offense vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Here's the first 11 out on the field for the Browns offense:

QB: Jameis Winston
RB: Nick Chubb
TE: David Njoku
WR: Elijah Moore
WR: Jerry Jeudy
TE: Blake Whiteheart
LT: Germain Ifedi
LG: Joel Bitonio
C: Ethan Pocic
RG: Wyatt Teller
RT: Jack Conklin

Cleveland Browns opening defense vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Here's the first 11 out on the field for the Browns defense:

DE: Ogbo Okoronkwo
DT: Dalvin Tomlinson
DT: Shelby Harris
DE: Myles Garrett
LB Devin Bush
LB: Mohamoud Diabate
LB: Jordan Hicks
S: Grant Delpit
CB: Denzel Ward
CB: Martin Emerson Jr.
S: Juan Thornhill

Cleveland Browns wins coin toss, will kick off to open game

The Browns won the coin toss and deferred their choice. The Steelers elected to take the ball to open the game.

Wide receiver George Pickens inactive for Pittsburgh Steelers

So all of the pregame back-and-forth ended up being for nothing. Pittsburgh made wide receiver George Pickens inactive after the he sustained a hamstring injury during the week.

Pickens and Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II were at a verbal back-and-forth during the week. The feud goes back to the teams' previous meeting on Nov. 21 in Cleveland. Newsome II was engaged with Pickens on the Steelers' final desperation Hail Mary, trying to prevent Pickens from being able to, at the very least, tip the ball to a teammate. Pickens clearly took exception and initially grabbed Newsome by the helmet and dragged him through the end zone and beyond the back line.

Pickens threw Newsome down as he ripped off his helmet near the front of the stands. The two scuffled briefly before being separated, although the bad blood to carried into the postgame locker room, where Newsome called Pickens a "fake tough guy" while Pickens blamed the loss entirely on the snow.

Asked by reporters in Pittsburgh if he planned to talk to Newsome before the game Sunday, Pickens said, "I don't even know who that is." Then, asked about his postgame comments regarding the Browns not being a good team and only winning because of the snow, he replied, "I just go by their record."

Newsome was asked shortly after Pickens' comments for his thoughts. He responded.

"Nah, because the only way you would take something that somebody says disrespectful is if you actually care about that person," Newsome said Friday. "So I don't care what he has to say or anybody has to say. So I don't take it as disrespectful because I don't care about the dude at all."

Cleveland Browns inactive players against Pittsburgh Steelers

#2 Bailey Zappe (3QB)
#19 WR Cedric Tillman
#27 RB D’Onta Foreman
#35 CB Chigozie Anusiem
#80 WR Jamari Thrash
#92 DT Sam Kamara
#96 DE James Houston

When do the Cleveland Browns play today?

Kickoff is at 1 p.m.

Who is announcing the Steelers vs. Browns game?

Play-by-play: Jim Nantz
Analysts: Tony Romo
Sideline: Tracy Wolfson

What channel is Browns vs. Steelers on: How to watch the Cleveland-Pittsburgh game on TV, streaming

TV channel: WOIO-TV (Channel 19)
Stream: Paramount+ and NFL+
Announcers: Jim Nantz (play-by-play), Tony Romo (analyst), Tracy Wolfson (sideline reporter)

How to listen to the Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers game on the radio, stream

The Cleveland Browns Radio Network will carry the game, with Andrew Siciliano (play-by-play), Nathan Zegura (analyst) and Je'Rod Cherry (sideline reporter) on the call. Among the affiliates in the Akron-Canton area are WAKR-AM 1590, WONE-FM 97.5, WHBC-AM 1480, WQKT-FM 104.5, WKRK-FM 92.3, WKNR-AM 850 and WNCX-FM 98.5.
The Cleveland Browns Radio Network's call can also be streamed at Cleveland Browns.com, as well as the Browns mobile app. It's also available on Sirius XM radio, with channels 161 or 381 carrying the Browns feed.
The game will be carried nationally by ESPN Radio. Steve Levy (play-by-play) and Harry Douglas (analyst) will be on the call.
The Browns also have a Spanish-language broadcast, with Rafael “Rafa” Hernández-Brito (play-by-play) and Octavio Sequera (analyst) on the call. Games will be streamed on La Mega Cleveland, as well as heard on WNZN-FM 89.1 in Lorain and WVKO-FM 103.1 in Columbus.

How to buy Steelers vs. Browns tickets

Tickets for Sunday's game on StubHub can be purchased on StubHub from $108 before fees.

Browns vs. Steelers weather

It's a perfect mostly sunny December afternoon for football in Pittsburgh, with the temperature at kickoff expected to be a high near 47, according to the National Weather Service. Southwest wind 9 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Browns vs. Steelers injury report

Browns: WR Cedric Tillman (concussion), out; S Juan Thornhill (calf), questionable; DT Sam Kamara (head), out; WR Jamari Thrash (shoulder), questionable; CB Myles Harden (shin), out.
Steelers: DT Montravius Adams (knee), out; WR George Pickens (hamstring), questionable.

Cleveland Browns result in Week 13

Cleveland fell to 3-9 on the season with a 41-32 loss to the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football in Denver. Quarterback Jameis Winston set a career high and Browns franchise single-game passing record with 497 yards, but his four touchdowns were offset by three interceptions, two of which the Broncos returned for touchdowns. Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy also had a career-high 235 receiving yards in his first game back in Denver.

Pittsburgh Steelers result in Week 13

The Steelers improved to 9-3 by beating the Cincinnati Bengals 44-38 last Sunday in Cincinnati. Quarterback Russell Wilson threw for 414 yards and three touchdowns in the win.

Cleveland Browns predictions vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

So what should we expect from the Browns this afternoon against the Steelers? Click here to see what our writers project as the score of today's game.

Browns vs. Steelers betting odds

Provided by BetMGM.com; access Paste BN Sports Scores ad Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:30 a.m. ET Saturday.
Moneyline (ML): Browns +255 (bet $100 to win $255) | Steelers -315 (bet $315 to win $100)
Against the spread: Browns +7 (+100) | Steelers -7 (+100)
Over/Under (O/U): 43.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Pittsburgh Steelers scores in all-time series vs. Cleveland Browns

Today is the 148th all-time regular-season or playoff meeting between the Browns and the Steelers, which dates back to 1950. Here's a look at the series between Cleveland and Pittsburgh.

Series record (regular season and playoffs): Steelers lead 81-64-1
Series record (regular season): Steelers lead 79-63-1
Playoff record: Steelers lead 2-1
Series in Cleveland (regular season and playoffs): Browns lead 41-30-1
Series record in Cleveland (regular season): Browns lead 41-30-1
Series record in Cleveland (playoffs): N/A
Series record in Pittsburgh: Steelers lead 52-22
Series record in Pittsburgh (regular season): Steelers lead 50-21
Series record in Pittsburgh (playoffs): Steelers lead 2-1
Last meeting: Browns 24-19 in Cleveland on Nov. 21, 2024
Series streak: Browns have won two in a row

Cleveland Browns 2024 active roster

QUARTERBACKS (3): Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Jameis Winston, Bailey Zappe
RUNNING BACK (4): Nick Chubb, Jerome Ford, D'Onta Foreman, Pierre Strong Jr.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore, Jamari Thrash, Cedric Tillman, Kadarius Toney, Michael Woods II
TIGHT ENDS (3): Jordan Akins, David Njoku, Blake Whiteheart
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (8): Joel Bitonio, Jack Conklin, Michael Dunn, Germain Ifedi, Geron Christian, Ethan Pocic, Zak Zinter, Wyatt Teller
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (9): Myles Garrett, Shelby Harris, Isaiah McGuire, Ogbo Okoronkwo, Dalvin Tomlinson, Sam Kamara, James Houston, Cameron Thomas, Jowon Briggs
LINEBACKERS (6): Devin Bush, Khaleke Hudson, Winston Reid, Jordan Hicks, Nathaniel Watson, Mohamoud Diabate
DEFENSIVE BACKS (11): D’Anthony Bell, Grant Delpit, Martin Emerson Jr., Ronnie Hickman, Rodney McLeod, Cameron Mitchell, Greg Newsome II, Mike Ford Jr., Denzel Ward, Juan Thornhill, Chigozie Anusiem
SPECIALISTS (3): Corey Bojorquez, Dustin Hopkins, Rex Sunahara

Cleveland Browns place OT Jedrick Wills Jr., DT Maurice Hurst II on injured reserve

Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr., who has missed four of the last five games after hyperextending his right knee in Week 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals, was one of two players the Browns placed on injured reserve on Saturday. They did the same with defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II, who suffered injuries to his ankle and foot in last Monday night's loss to the Denver Broncos.

Both Wills and Hurst would only be eligible to return for the season finale at the Baltimore Ravens. That would mean both will end their second consecutive season on injured reserve.

For Wills, especially, it likely means the end of his Browns' career. He's a free agent after this season, having played this season on his fifth-year option.

Wills' fifth season with the Browns, who took him No. 10 overall in the 2020 draft, has been marred by injuries. He didn't start practicing until Sept. 4 as he recovered from arthroscopic knee surgery he underwent last December.

Hurst is making his second injured reserve appearance this season. He had an ankle injury in the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys that led to a four-game stint on the injured list.

The defensive tackle did play in the previous seven games. He recorded 16 tackles and 0.5 sacks.

Cleveland Browns sign WRs Kadarius Toney, Michael Woods II to active roster

The corresponding moves helped the Browns take care of another position of need, wide receiver. They signed both wide receivers Kadarius Toney and Michael Woods II from the practice squad to the 53-man active roster.

Toney and Woods gives the Browns six wide receivers on the 53-man roster. The problem with that is that only two of the other four — Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore — aren't listed on the Browns injury report for Sunday's game as either out (Cedric Tillman) or questionable (Jamari Thrash).

The Browns avoided using up Toney's three standard elevations by signing him to the roster. He had been elevated for the Week 11 loss at the New Orleans Saints, where he played six offensive snaps and losing seven yards on one rushing attempt, as well as last Monday night's loss at the Denver Broncos, where he played another six snaps and gained three yards on one rushing attempt while also being targeted on one pass attempt.

Where Toney could potentially find steady work is in the return game. The former first-round draft pick had previous returned punts for both the New York Giants and Kansas City Chiefs.

Woods was the other game-day elevation for the Denver game, his first elevation of the season. He has been on the Browns' practice squad all season after the 2022 sixth-round pick missed all of last season with an Achilles injury.

The third-year pro made the most of his opportunity against the Broncos, which included a career-high 66 offensive snaps. He had three catches for 43 yards — all of which converted third downs on scoring drives — on five targets in Denver.

Cleveland Browns elevate WR James Proche II, DT T.Y. McGill to gameday roster

The Browns also elevated wide receiver James Proche II from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Sunday's game at the Pittsburgh Steelers. They did the same for recently-signed defensive tackle T.Y. McGill to add depth to another position where they'll have another player — Sam Kamara — out for Sunday besides Hurst.

Proche appeared in four games earlier this season for the Browns before being waived in Week 6, along with another 10 games last season with the team. He was re-signed in Week 7 to the practice squad.

McGill was one of two defensive tackles, along with Michael Dwumfour, signed to the practice squad on Friday. The 10-year veteran has appeared in 58 career games with the Colts (2015-16), Browns (2017), Chargers (2018 and 2019), Eagles (2018 and 2020), Vikings (2021) and 49ers (2022-24), with 46 career tackles, 5.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. He appeared in one game with the 49ers this season.

Cleveland Browns 2024 schedule, results (3-9, 2-1 AFC North)

Sunday, Sept. 8: Home vs. Dallas Cowboys, L, 33-17
Sunday, Sept. 15: At Jacksonville Jaguars, W, 18-13
Sunday, Sept. 22: Home vs. New York Giants, L, 21-15
Sunday, Sept. 29: At Las Vegas Raiders, L, 20-16
Sunday, Oct. 6: At Washington Commanders, L, 34-13
Sunday, Oct. 13: At Philadelphia Eagles, L, 20-16
Sunday, Oct. 20: Home vs. Cincinnati Bengals, L, 21-14
Sunday, Oct. 27: Home vs. Baltimore Ravens, W, 29-24
Sunday, Nov. 3: Home vs. Los Angeles Chargers, L, 27-10
Sunday, Nov. 10: BYE WEEK
Sunday, Nov. 17: At New Orleans Saints, L, 35-14
Thursday, Nov. 21: Home vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, W, 24-19
Monday, Dec. 2: At Denver Broncos, L, 41-32
Sunday, Dec. 8: At Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m., CBS
Sunday, Dec. 15: Home vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m., CBS
Sunday, Dec. 22: At Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m., FOX
Sunday, Dec. 29: Home vs. Miami Dolphins, 8:20 p.m., NBC
Saturday, Jan. 4 OR Sunday, Jan. 5: At Baltimore Ravens, TBA, TV TBA

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ

Facebook Twitter Email