Steelers Offensive Line Continues Struggles in 27-24 Loss to Browns
· Yahoo Sports
The Pittsburgh Steelers trailed 21-7 in the second quarter, but eventually made a comeback to tie the game up at 24-24 with 1:42 remaining the fourth quarter.
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The Steelers defense allowed Deshaun Watson to quickly move down the field and get in range for a game-winning 56-yard field goal kick by Browns kicker Andre Szmyt.
Certainly, Pittsburgh's secondary be scrutinized after the loss, coming one day after the Steelers traded cornerback Joey Porter Jr. to the Dallas Cowboys, but one consistent problem plagued the team throughout the game.
The offensive line was an issue for the Steelers in the 27-24 loss to the Browns on "Thursday Night Football." The Steelers were kept to 92 yards rushing on 19 carries.
Aaron Rodgers had a decent night, going 22 of 40 for 299 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. But he was under constant duress by the Browns defense, taking five sacks for -30 yards.
Those sacks are taking a toll on the 42-year-old quarterback. The Steelers took an early 7-0 lead by scoring on their opening possession. After that, Pittsburgh's offense looked out of sync as the offensive line buckled under pressure from Cleveland's talented front seven.
The Browns had five different players record sacks: Maliek Collins, Adin Huntington, Isaiah McGuire, Sam Williams and Mike Hall Jr.
Coming into Thursday night's game, Rodgers had been sacked eight times through the first three contests. The five sacks given up by the Steelers offensive line is a big reason why they're headed back to Pittsburgh with a 2-2 record.
The Steelers have to find an identity for the give guys up front. They're not good at pass protection, and they're unable to give the running game the boost it needs consistently.
Pittsburgh showed promise in that area when it rushed for 138 yards and gave up just two sacks in a 30-27 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3. Thursday night showed the Steelers have much more to do if they want to consistently win games.
Will the Steelers miss Joey Porter Jr.?Porter did not play in the first three games of the regular season. The Steelers initially ruled out the 2023 second-round pick for Thursday night's game before trading him to the Cowboys.
On Thursday night, the Steelers allowed Deshaun Watson to have his best game of the season for the Browns. He went 24 of 33 passing for 268 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
The Steelers might regret not paying Porter before a season they expected to go all-in for Rodgers' last hurrah.