The Pittsburgh Steelers lost in embarrassing fashion to one of the worst teams in the league, the Cleveland Browns. Their 19-24 loss drops them to 8-3 on the season, but Thursday night’s game exposed troubling flaws. Despite sparking some late-game magic to secure a brief 19-18 lead, the Steelers couldn’t hold on, undone by a series of questionable coaching decisions and lackluster execution in key moments.
Star wide receiver George Pickens struggled to make an impact, particularly as the weather conditions worsened. After the game, Pickens attributed the Steelers’ struggles to the challenging conditions in Cleveland.
While the offense relied on him to step up, he found it difficult to adjust, leaving Pittsburgh without the big plays they needed to overcome their divisional rival. Pickens offered an excuse for why a bad Browns team beat them.
"Just keep grinding," Pickens said. "Like I said conditions played a huge huge part to this game. I don’t really think the Cleveland Browns are a good team at all."
This loss raises concerns about the Steelers’ ability to handle adversity, especially against struggling opponents like the Browns.
With a tough schedule ahead, Pittsburgh will need to address their late-game decision-making and offensive inconsistencies if they hope to sustain their strong record and contend in the playoffs.
Steelers' George Pickens Also Blames Refs After Loss To Cleveland
Pickens reportedly also placed some blame on the away officials, suggesting their decisions played a role in the Steelers' loss. While there’s some merit to his claim—there were missed calls on potential pass interference against him—the officiating wasn’t particularly tight for either side. In fact, Pickens himself benefitted from a missed offensive pass interference call on a significant play early in the game.
However, blaming the officials doesn’t hold much weight in this loss. The Steelers didn’t lose because of bad officiating, nor can the weather be solely to blame. Pittsburgh seemed to overlook the Browns, a team that, despite struggling in 2024, still possesses plenty of talent. The Steelers’ slow start came when the weather was still manageable, and they only mounted their comeback after conditions deteriorated.
Ultimately, the loss was more about the Steelers’ lack of focus and preparation than external factors. Underestimating a divisional rival and failing to execute when it mattered most proved costly, leaving the team with hard lessons to carry into the rest of the season.
Both teams faced the same poor weather conditions, but only one executed when it mattered most. The Steelers had every opportunity to secure the win but ultimately squandered it through their own mistakes. Pickens’ comments are unlikely to sit well with Steeler Nation, as fans expect accountability, not excuses, after tough losses.
Despite this, Pickens has enjoyed an outstanding season and remains a key part of Pittsburgh’s offense. He’ll be eager to help the team bounce back in their upcoming matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. With a renewed focus and a chip on their shoulders, the Steelers will need their star receiver to lead the way in getting back on track.
