Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was quick to credit the Cleveland Browns’ defense after it powered a Week 17 upset.
Cleveland earned a 13-6 victory behind a dominant defensive performance, holding Pittsburgh to 291 total yards and limiting Aaron Rodgers to 168 passing yards. The Browns put the game away with a fourth-down stop inside the 10-yard line late in the contest.
Tomlin praised the unit while reflecting on the loss on Tuesday.
“As I mentioned several time last week, the Browns defense is the No. 1 unit in our division, offense or defense. They certainly played to that,” Tomlin said. “Some of it had a lot to do with their talent and schematics. But we also own the responsibility of performing. We didn’t make enough plays or put our guys in the position to make plays. That’s obvious by the outcome of the game.”
Tomlin’s assessment checks out. Cleveland boasts the NFL’s No. 2 defense , allowing just 278.6 yards per game, a clear outlier in the AFC North. The rest of the division hasn’t come close: the Ravens, Steelers, and Bengals all rank in the bottom 10 in yards allowed, with Cincinnati dead last in the league. Offensively, no team in the AFC North has fielded an above-average offense.
Browns Star Myles Garrett Called Out Steelers After Win
The Steelers drew widespread criticism for their offensive approach against the Browns, with much of the game plan seemingly focused on neutralizing Myles Garrett rather than attacking Cleveland’s defense. Garrett entered the matchup one sack shy of the NFL’s single-season record, and Pittsburgh went to great lengths to keep him away from Rodgers. After the game, Garrett suggested that the strategy ultimately backfired.
“They were more worried about keeping me away from Aaron (Rodgers) than getting the win. That’s what came back to bite them,” Garrett said .
Another Browns’ Pro Bowler also came up big on the final drive. Cornerback Denzel Ward was targeted on the final three pass plays but turned away all the attempts.
“I mean, he’s a foundational piece for a reason. The guy’s special. Anytime he’s on the field, he’s a game-changer,” Garrett said. “He’s a playmaker. I’m not surprised that he was the one that came up with the big play to win it for us.”
Browns Win Causes Chaos for Steelers
The victory didn’t mean much for the Browns, who moved to 4-12 this season. However, it did cause some chaos for the Steelers. Pittsburgh would have taken the AFC North with a win. But instead, they’ll face the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18 with the division on the line .
“It feels great. They’re our rival, we always want to beat them, doesn’t matter the circumstances,” Garrett said. “And we line up, you know, we want to beat those guys and so glad to have opportunity to do it and get the job done.”
Garrett commended his teammates for staying focused on winning despite the down year.
“Shows heart, man. Shows grit. I’m proud of those guys in there,” Garrett said. “It’s not easy getting up out of bed and doing what you’re supposed to do, taking care of business, preparing the way you did at the beginning of the season, knowing that the end is in sight. But that’s how you’re measured as a man, as a football player.”
The Browns wrap up their season this week against the Cincinnati Bengals .
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