Why losing to the Browns isn’t the gut punch Steelers fans think it is

Well, not even a whole week after beating the 7-4 Ravens and moving up to 8-2 on the year, the Steelers have fallen to the bottom-dwelling Cleveland Browns…if that does not scream 'Pittsburgh,' I just don’t know what does—and that seems to (rightfully) be the top takeaway on social media today.

However, there are some people thinking that this was a make-or-break game for the Steelers, declaring that they’ve been “exposed” and are now reaching for the self-destruct button, and I’m here to humbly ask: Why?

For starters, there is nothing about losing to the Browns in recent memory that should feel unfamiliar, as they’ve given us trouble on multiple occasions—and sure, it’s never felt particularly great. But now, after losing to them by a whopping five points, in Cleveland, while drowning in a snowstorm, is where we throw in the terrible towel? Heck, have you never heard of a 'trap game' before? Because if you haven’t, this was a perfect example of what one looks like.

Don’t believe me? Picture it this way: One team just derailed two of the most impressive stories in the entire NFL, and is now going on the road to face a down-n-out rival for the first time this season, in inclement weather.

What about that sounds like some guaranteed win?

Steelers' loss to Browns isn't the end of the world

I truly believe everyone who thought this game was going to be no contest either did zero research on the circumstances or solely researched both teams’ records—either way, they haven’t done enough to be greenlighting the scrapping of this season.

There’s still a lot of football to be played, and yet another rival on the horizon in the Cincinnati Bengals. If the Steelers look completely out of their element and get run off the field by them, then we may have a problem, but until then? Stop acting as if perfection is all of a sudden Pittsburgh’s standard again.

We true fans have long learned (and reluctantly accepted) that it neither is nor has been in years, and if you’re one of us, you’re feeling pretty good about 8-3.