3 things we learned from Steelers loss against Cleveland Browns

The Steelers defense was shorthanded but put forth a valiant effort nonetheless

Although we lost the game, I think the defense, led by DC Keith Butler, put up a valiant effort. With that said, a valiant effort is not the same as playing the style of defense we have been accustomed to seeing for most of the regular season.

We were down by 10 points and by 15 points, respectively, at different junctures in the game.  The Steelers ‘D’ held serve for most of the fourth quarter after surrendering a TD at the start of the quarter.

As the saying goes, ‘…close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades’ and the Steelers ‘D’ was close to being able to afford the offense an opportunity to possibly win the game late in the fourth quarter, but just could not get the stop we needed them to get.

I realize we were playing with backups and, in some instances, backups to the backups, but this is the Steelers defense.  If we give up 24 points to a team that is playing with its starting QB and most other starters, that generally equates to a loss and it did against the Browns.

I will say this again, albeit I have stated this several times:  I do not like playing ‘Cover 1’; I do not like blitzing and leaving our backup CBs exposed on an island.  If we call a blitz, it has to get there.  Yes, we did generate 4 sacks, but there were occasions where the blitz did not the desired effect, particularly on 3rd downs, and drives were allowed to continue.

Let’s take a look at the third thing we learned.