Browns v. Steelers observations

The Browns had another nail biter and last second field goal win 13–10 over the Steelers to improve to 7–3 on the season. Below are my observations from the game.

• The Browns actually did it! They swept this division stretch. Just unbelievable how they did it, but they found a way. This game was more maddening because the Steelers are just god awful on offense and I thought the Browns panicked late in first half and pretty much the entire second half. But somehow they found a way to move the football and give Dustin Hopkins another opportunity to win it and he delivered!
• Hats off to DTR…he looked much better in this game and had a lot of his throws dropped today. Also thought Stefanski played it very safe with him that was nearly detrimental to the game itself. There was a point where the Steelers knew exactly what the plays would be and that’s never good. Either way I think he can grow, the question will be are the Browns thinking the same way? DTR did really nothing that gave the game away or anything. He had one interception that really should have been caught. Only sacked once too and thought he hit the quick pass plays very well. Again maybe Stefanski will allow him to be more liberal and throw down the field. It was weird that on the final game winning drive, that’s exactly what DTR did and good things happened. Kinda makes you wonder, why they didn’t do it all game.
• The Steelers are so annoyingly bad, and they have been for several years. They somehow just find a way to keep games close or make a random big play. I swear #30, Warren should be getting major touches from here on out. He’s clearly the Steelers best player. Another week where a Browns opponent ignores a guy who was torching them. Thank you Steelers!
• The Defense came to play today, yah there were some rough stretches, but they got the stops they needed and made Pickett try to beat them and that ended miserably for them. The Steelers not running the ball with Warren on what was their final drive was stupid. So thanks again Steelers for being the dumb team this time.
• Still thought Browns played a little scared today and had less physicality until the end. Again from coaches on down, they are weird when playing the Steelers. Outside of the wild card game, I can’t remember a game the Browns ever dominated the Steelers in any fashion. I mean the Bengals and Ravens have, probably more than once. Thankfully that’s it for this year, but Browns can now focus on playoff and division positioning and win the games they’re supposed to. The last 7 games are do-able across the board, but think there’s probably 2–3 losses coming up.
• Stefanski and Berry and others will have a decision to make if they bring in Flacco or some other vet, or just roll with DTR for the rest of the season. Probably not sustainable long term, but think the schedule is helpful and if the team can run the ball well enough, they have a shot. I’ll say once more, DTR can be unleashed a little and make plays. We saw it on the last drive. Those were NFL throws and now that the Browns have advantages over teams outside the division from here on out (save Jags and possibly Texans — although Stefanski is undefeated v. AFC South) they have a shot to pile up wins and get a good seed with some potential in the playoffs.
• I’m so happy these last two weeks turned out how they did! I wrote before, I would’ve been happy with a split, but they got them both. Just huge…yuuuuge!!! Now re-focus for some games on the road coming up (Denver and LA — who stink but still….its the NFL) and start beating teams you’re supposed to beat outside your division. I do think the AFC North will still be a bit of a battle. At some point the Bengals will completely crumble, the Steelers luck will completely run out and they will be gone, and it’ll be Ravens/Browns at the end. Gotta take care of business….lets move on to another 1–0 week…GO BROWNS!!