When we saw the concerning statistics circulating about Pittsburgh's record on the road under Mike Tomlin for Thursday Night Football, we had a right to be worried heading into the Steelers' Week 12 game against the Browns. Not only had Tomlin's team lost three straight TNF games in Cleveland, but they hadn't won a game against the Browns on the road since 2017.
Then came the weather factor. In addition to trying to overcome their disheartening history on Thursday Night Football road games, the Steelers also had to play in the elements. This added another variable that could nullify Pittsburgh's talent advantage over an inferior opponent.
The Steelers would go on to lose this game, and there's plenty of blame to be passed around. Coach Tomlin's series of mishaps late in the fourth quarter could have altered the outcome of the game, and his defense couldn't get off the field on fourth downs.
At the same time, the Steelers outpaced the Browns in passing yards, rushing yards, third down conversions, and turnovers. Yet Pittsburgh found a way to lose this game.
Many Steelers fans are quick to blame this on a 'trap' game, as the makeup for this contest -- facing an inferior opponent on a short week in bad-weather conditions -- made the outcome unpredictable.
George Pickens just said the quiet part out loud that we were all thinking.
When speaking to the media after the game, the Steelers' top wide receiver blamed the conditions for the loss.
“The conditions were so bad,” Pickens said via Steelers Now. “I don’t even think the QB could see sometimes. When you’ve got conditions like that at the opponent’s home field, it kinda plays in their favor. …
“The conditions played a huge, huge part in today’s game. I don’t really think the Cleveland Browns are a good team at all. I think the conditions kinda saved them today.”
There's no question the blizzard-like conditions, low visibility, and poor footing played a factor in this contest. While I agree with Pickens to an extent, this isn't the stuff you come out and say to the media.
George Pickens must show more maturity after Steelers lose
There seems to be a trend when it comes to George Pickens. When the Steelers are winning football games, we rarely need to address his attitude... but when this team loses, his antics are in full swing.
This was on display on the final play of the game when Pickens got into an altercation with Browns cornerback Greg Newsome, who took to 'X' to call Pickens a 'Fake tough guy' after the game.
There was a strong case to be made that Pickens was interfered with on the Steelers' Hail Mary attempt that ended the game. But to tussle with Newsome like that after the game was uncalled for. Pickens was in the spotlight for a similar reason after the Week 5 loss to Dallas when he yanked Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis down by the facemask after the game was over.
If his questionable in-the-moment actions on the field were the only issue, that would be one thing. But Pickens can never seem to give the right response when speaking to Steelers' media. This is yet another example.
Yes, we all know the Browns are a bad team and we want to blame the loss on sloppy field conditions, but Pickens needs to take the high road and admit the Steelers just didn't do enough to secure the win.