Dec
14
Written by:
LarryMac
12/14/2009 11:36 AM
The defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers made a Thursday night trip into bitterly cold Cleveland Browns Stadium riding a four game losing streak and desperately needing a win over the hapless Browns to keep their playoff hopes alive. Against a Cleveland Browns team that they had beaten in their last 12 meetings, it seemed like just what the doctor ordered.
With swirling winds gusting over 20mph, the night was made for defense and the running game. Neither QB was able to string much together in the early going, but the difference in the game's first half was the Browns defense which consistently dominated the line - stopping the Steelers' ground game and sacking Ben Roethlisberger five times in the first two quarters. With neither team able to move the ball well, it was Josh Cribbs who set up the game's first score with a punt return to the Pittsburgh 8 yard line. Even with the field position, the Browns were forced to settle for a field goal and a 3-0 lead.
Another defensive stand forced the Steelers to punt from deep in their own end. Even though they kept the ball away from Cribbs, the Browns still took over in Pittsburgh territory - but were once again forced to settle for three points. The Browns built on that momentum and on their next possession marched 74 yards for the game's only touchdown - a 10 run by Chris Jennings that staked the Browns to a 13-0 lead.
The Steelers managed a quick field goal drive before the half and another late in the third quarter but when their backs were against the wall and the Steelers were driving for the tying score in the fourth quarter, the Browns defense answered with another sack and, finally, by batting down Roethlisberger's last pass on fourth down to preserve the upset victory - only the team's second of the season.
The Good: Josh Cribbs did everything. His punt return to the Steelers' 8 set up the Browns' first score and his 87 rushing yards led all rushers and included two key runs. The Browns defense was the other key to the game, sacking Roethlisberger 8 times and pressuring him and the Steelers' running backs all game long.
The Bad: The Browns offense started with the ball at the Pittsburgh 8 yard line and had to settle for a field goal. Blessed with great field position for most of the game thanks to the efforts of the defense, they managed only 13 points against a Steelers' defense that was without heart and soul, Troy Polamalu.
The Ugly: Brady Quinn didn't turn the ball over, but completed only one pass in the second half. The Browns, admittedly, were trying to milk the clock, but he finished 6 of 19 for 90 yards - which isn't going to get it done most nights in the NFL.
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