The Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns at home in the season finale in what was a bittersweet victory
Although we beat the Cleveland Browns at home in the regular season finale, the season is officially over. We needed three things to come to fruition in order for us to make the playoffs. Two of those things came to fruition, but, unfortunately, the third thing did not.
It is disappointing, to say the least, that we had to rely on help from two other teams to keep our playoff hopes alive, but that’s what happens when you don’t take care of your own business early in the season. Today, we took care of business to avoid the first losing season under Mike Tomlin. Let’s see what we learned on offense.
The Steelers offense, I dare say, finally and perhaps too late, performed in the manner in which we wanted all season long. We scored twenty-eight points, converted sixty percent on third downs, had more passing yards and rushing yards than the Browns had, and won the time of possession battle.
The offensive line played very well, giving up one sack and paving the way for a ground game that amassed nearly one hundred and fifty yards. It really is a shame that the Steelers offense waited until the final game of the season to play what I would offer was the most well-rounded game of the year.
I think this game offered a glimpse of the potential that the Steelers offense has, but again, it is unfortunate that we will have to wait until 2023 to see that potential realized.
Let’s see what we learned on defense.
The Steelers defense stifled the Browns offense en route to helping secure victory
To say that the Steelers defense stifled the Browns offense would be an understatement. We held the Browns offense to less than a fifty percent conversion rate on third downs, forced two INTs, and generated seven sacks. That’s a dominant performance if there ever was one.
Five players contributed to the ‘sack fest’ with Alex Highsmith contributing two and a half sacks to the cause. This was truly a total team effort on defense. We played the style of defense that fans had become accustomed to witnessing.
The question I have is this: Where was that type of performance all year? I don’t want to do the ‘woulda, shoulda, coulda’ here, but if we could have turned in one more performance as we had against the Browns, we probably would be talking about a Steelers playoff game rather than the end of the 2022 season.
No performance is perfect and this one was certainly not, but it was close enough to being perfect that you have to wonder what could have been and what could be in 2023 and beyond. Like the offense, we have pieces on defense around which we can build.
Let’s take a look at what else we learned.
The Steelers are a resilient group that is led by a resilient Head Coach
Say what you want about Mike Tomlin and say what you want about what transpired over the course of the 2022 season, but I think Tomlin turned in the best coaching performance of his sixteen seasons as our Head Coach.
Tomlin always talks about being resilient and being a group on the rise. I would offer that despite not making the playoffs this season, albeit I think we could have and should have made the playoffs had we not faltered in at least one game, the Steelers are certainly a group on the rise.
At the halfway point in the season, we had two wins and six losses. Lesser teams with lesser coaches would probably not have finished the season with nine wins, but that is exactly what this team accomplished.
The credit goes to the players for staying together and fighting to the end, but that spirit comes from Tomlin. Yes, I am disappointed we will not be playing for another Lombardi Trophy this season, but I am genuinely optimistic about what the future holds for the Steelers.
We all know the 2023 team will look different than the 2022 team, but turnover happens every season and this offseason will be no different, but as long as our core stays intact and Tomlin is our Head Coach in 2023, the future is bright.