CLEVELAND — The snow was gone, and with it, the underdog magic.
There was no memorable victory for the Browns on this Sunday, no improbable comeback, no solace from what has overall been a miserable season. Instead, there was only the frustration that comes with another road loss to the hated Steelers.
Cleveland's 27-14 defeat Sunday marked its 10th of the 2024 campaign, and its 21st straight in Pittsburgh during the regular season. It was the polar opposite (no pun intended) of the team's Thursday night win 2 1/2 weeks ago that was highlighted by a blizzard blanketing Huntington Bank Field.
Six days after setting a new franchise record for passing yards in a game during a trip to Denver, Browns quarterback Jameis Winston was not nearly as effective, completing 24 of 41 throws for 211 yards. Though he did have two touchdowns and gave Cleveland an early 7-3 lead with a 35-yard strike to Jerry Jeudy, he also tossed a pair of costly interceptions, including one in his own territory to set up a Najee Harris TD that gave the Steelers an advantage they would not relinquish.
The offensive line also allowed three sacks, and the Browns were penalized nine times for 81 yards. However, nothing may have cost the club more than special teams, in particular kicker Dustin Hopkins.
Just before halftime, Hopkins come on for a 38-yard straight-on field goal to get Cleveland to within three, but hooked it wide left. Jerome Ford then began the third quarter with a 60-yard kickoff return that led to another kick attempt from 43 yards away, but Hopkins missed it again, this time wide right.
After emerging as one of the NFL's better kickers in 2023, Hopkins signed a three-year extension with the Browns in the offseason. In his last seven games, he has now missed eight kicks, with six of them being from less than 50 yards away.
Had he converted on both field goals Sunday, Cleveland could've theoretically had a chance to win in the fourth quarter. Instead, David Njoku could only add a measure of respectability with a touchdown grab, and needing a miracle down 13, Winston threw yet another pick.
Steelers QB Russell Wilson only tallied 158 yards, but did enough with two touchdown throws. Pittsburgh improved to 10-3 despite being outgained 299-267, winning the turnover margin by two. Cameron Hayward also had two sacks.
The Browns' only win at Acrisure Stadium during the last two decades came during the 2020 AFC wild-card round. While the playoff triumph was joyous and historic, it also came without any fans in the stands due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Not that it was even a doubt, but Cleveland has officially been eliminated from the NFL playoff picture with its 18th 10-loss season since 1999. The long, slow march to the finish continues next Sunday with a home battle against the defensing Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, with the biggest story likely to be whether Taylor Swift will attend to support Travis Kelce.