When we read the troubling numbers circulating regarding Pittsburgh’s road record under Mike Tomlin on Thursday
Night Football, we had every reason to be concerned heading into the Steelers’ Week 12 game against the Browns.
Tomlin’s squad has lost three consecutive TNF games in Cleveland, and they hadn’t won a road game against the Browns
since 2017. The weather was the next factor to consider. In addition to attempting to overcome their dismal
record on Thursday Night Football travel games, the Steelers had to play in the elements. This introduced another aspect
that could negate Pittsburgh’s talent advantage over a weaker opponent.
The Steelers went on to lose the game, and there’s plenty of blame to go around. Coach Tomlin’s run of errors late in the
fourth quarter may have changed the game’s fate, and his defense was unable to get off the field on fourth downs.
At the same time, the Steelers outperformed the Browns in passing yards, running yards, third-down
conversions, and turnovers. However, Pittsburgh found a way to lose this game. Many Steelers fans blame this on a ‘trap’ game, arguing that the circumstances of
the game — facing a weaker opponent on a short week in inclement weather — made the outcome unpredictable.
George Pickens simply stated what we were all thinking. When addressing to the media after the game, the Steelers’ top wide receiver blamed the loss on the weather conditions. “The conditions were so bad,” Pickens explained to Steelers Now. “I don’t believe the quarterback could see occasionally. When you have conditions like that on the opponent’s home field, it kind of works in their advantage. … “The conditions had a big impact on today’s game. I don’t think the Cleveland Browns are a particularly good team. I believe the conditions rescued them today.
The blizzard-like conditions, low visibility, and difficult footing undoubtedly influenced this race. While I agree with Pickens to some level, this is not something you would say to the media. George Pickens must show greater maturity following Steelers’ loss. There appears to be a pattern when it comes to George Pickens. When the Steelers win football games, we rarely have to confront his attitude… but when they lose, his antics are in full force.
This was evident on the final play of the game, when Pickens got into a fight with Browns CB Greg Newsome, who took to ‘X’ after the game to call Pickens a ‘fake tough guy’. There was a strong allegation that Pickens was interfered with during the Steelers’ game-winning Hail Mary. However, arguing with Newsome so soon after the game was inappropriate. Pickens gained attention for a similar reason during the Week 5 loss to Dallas, when he hauled Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis down by the facemask after the game ended.
If his questionable on-the-field activities were the sole problem, that would be one thing. But Pickens never seems to have the correct response when speaking to the Steelers’ media. This is another example. Yes, we all know the Browns are a lousy team, and we want to blame the defeat on sloppy field conditions, but Pickens must take the high road and recognize that the Steelers simply did not do enough to win.
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