The 2024 season isn't over, yet Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens has been fined seven times by the NFL in his young career, including five fines this year. With Pickens inactive because of a hamstring injury, tight end Pat Freiermuth carried the mantle for Pickens and Pittsburgh when he punted the ball into the stands after connecting with Russell Wilson on a 20-yard touchdown reception.
Asked by the press after the Steelers 27-14 win about his TD celebration, in which he punted the ball into the Steelers' crowd, Freiermuth could only laugh to himself and tell reporters, "Someone had to get fined." He did well representing Pickens with the third-year wideout sidelined.
Freiermuth finished the game with three receptions for 48 yards and a score.
Pittsburgh improved its record to 10-3 and now has a two-game lead in the AFC South. While it hasn't mathematically secured the division or a playoff spot, its chances of making the postseason are over 99 percent.
Pittsburgh wasn't quite at their best, only gaining 267 total cards compared to Cleveland's 300. The differences in the game don't quite show up in the box score, as the Steelers committed fewer penalties, won the turnover battle and were more efficient in the red zone, scoring touchdowns on two of their four RZ opportunities.
