The Pittsburgh Steelers had a disappointing night the last time they faced off against the Cleveland Browns. It was a short week, bad weather, and an all-around game to forget for the Steelers. Still, they bounced back nicely with a win against the Cincinnati Bengals and now get to seek redemption at home against the Browns Sunday. This time, the Steelers are looking to refocus and put their previous struggles behind them as they prepare for another tough matchup.
During the Browns’ loss, George Pickens was seen getting physical with Browns defensive backs. Most notably, on the final play of the game, Pickens was near the stands , fighting with Greg Newsome II. The altercation became a focal point of the game, with emotions running high in the intense rivalry. Pickens took heat for not being in the end zone on that final play. Instead he was boxing Newsome.
Browns Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz spoke to the media on Th
ursday about Pickens and Newsome's scuffle. Schwartz made it clear that he doesn’t blame Newsome at all for what happened on that final play. Instead, Schwartz defended his player and emphasized that the incident was a result of the heated nature of the game. As the Steelers and Browns prepare to face off again, the rivalry promises to remain intense, with both teams looking to get the last laugh.
"I don't put that on Greg at all," Schwartz said Thursday. "Greg's boxing his man out for a tip ball. I thought he executed that pretty well. You have to understand where the line is and don't put your team in a bad position by getting a penalty. Emotions are gonna be high. It's Pittsburgh-Cleveland. We know what that's about."
Pickens is coming off a strong performance against the Bengals, recording three catches for 74 yards and one touchdown. However, his impressive outing was overshadowed by two costly 15-yard penalties. Moving forward, Pickens will need to keep his emotions in check and stay focused.
Steelers' George Pickens Must Stay Mentally In The Game Against Cleveland
While the Browns' defense likely won't be able to slow him down, Pickens has the potential to derail himself if he lets Newsome and the rest of the secondary get under his skin. If his emotions get the better of him, it could pose a serious problem for both Pickens and the Steelers.
If he can stay level-headed—and that's a big "if"—and channel his energy into his play, allowing his performance to speak for itself, the Browns' defensive backs could be in for a rough night.
Steeler Nation knows how talented Pickens is, but they also need him to stop making mistakes that hurt the team. While Schwartz's decision not to blame Newsome is surprising, it’s hard to ignore that Newsome was pushing the limits during the game. Both players share some responsibility for the fight on that final play.
Ultimately, Pickens’ ability to control his emotions will be key. If he stays focused and lets his play do the talking, he can be a major asset to the Steelers. However, if he lets frustration take over, it could impact both his performance and the team’s chances at redemption.
Pickens spoke out some major fighting words after the loss to Cleveland. He stated that the Browns weren't a good team and only won because of the weather. The Browns for sure are using those comments for motivation leading up to this big AFC North matchup.
