The Pittsburgh Steelers entered their Week 12 divisional matchup against the Cleveland Browns under the bright lights of Thursday Night Football, hoping to ignite a sputtering offense. Instead, the first half underscored a troubling trend: the Steelers failed to score a touchdown for the sixth consecutive quarter, once again leaning on kicker Chris Boswell for points in a stagnant offensive showing.
From the outset, Pittsburgh struggled to find a rhythm. The Browns’ defense, led by All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett, imposed its will, shutting down the Steelers’ attack. Garrett was nothing short of dominant, registering three sacks in the first half and disrupting nearly every attempt by Pittsburgh to gain traction. The Steelers couldn’t even sniff the red zone, leaving head coach Arthur Smith with few options other than to rely on Boswell.
Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, even their typically reliable kicker faltered early. Boswell missed a challenging 58-yard field goal attempt in the first quarter, leaving the Steelers scoreless and their fans frustrated. While Boswell later connected on a field goal to provide the team’s only points of the half, it was clear that the Steelers were ill-equipped to match the energy of a hungry AFC North rival.
Steelers offensive troubles give AFC Rival Momentum heading into halftime
The touchdown drought that plagued the Steelers during last week’s contest carried over into this critical showdown. Pittsburgh’s inability to finish drives is a glaring weakness, placing immense pressure on the defense to keep games competitive.
Meanwhile, Cleveland’s offense looked sharp, with Russell Wilson completing the majority of his first-half passes. While the Browns weren’t prolific on the scoreboard either, Wilson’s efficiency gave Cleveland enough momentum to maintain control of the game.
For Pittsburgh, the lack of offensive firepower is becoming a disturbing trend. Quarterback play has been consistent but the offensive line has struggled to protect, and the running game has yet to materialize into a reliable weapon. Garrett’s game-wrecking performance only compounded these issues, leaving the Steelers searching for answers.
With the first half in the books and the Steelers trailing, the pressure to end their six-quarter touchdown drought grows heavier. For a team with postseason aspirations, these offensive struggles must be addressed quickly.
As divisional races tighten, the Steelers’ playoff hopes hinge on whether they can rediscover their ability to reach the end zone. Until then, relying on Chris Boswell to outscore opponents is a precarious strategy.