Yes, Cleveland beat Pittsburgh, 24-19, on Thursday night, but two real winners emerged from the Browns’ snowy victory over their division rivals: Running back Nick Chubb and Browns fans.
For the first time in more than two years, since Oct. 31, 2022, Chubb ran for multiple touchdowns. Erasing any doubt that he could perform at the same elite, pre-surgery level, Chubb willed Cleveland to a memorable win. His teammates knew Thursday was important for him and for them.
“It meant a lot to me,” said Myles Garrett, who posted a trio of sacks and a forced fumble, his fifth career game of three-plus sacks. “I know it means a lot to him. He won’t say it, but it’s true. I’ll say it: This time last year, we were sick to our stomachs, and it hurt to have his family hurting, having to see that. For him to deal with all that, had to go through that kind of recovery, that mental obstacle. Not knowing what your future is and how long it’s going to take to get back.”
They were sick to their stomachs because Chubb sustained a devastating knee injury in Week 2 last season, his most recent game against the Steelers. In his personal essay for the Players Tribune, Chubb explained how the Cleveland fans provided inspiration during his grueling 13-month rehab.
That group of fans was the second real winner from Thursday night. Having suffered a different type of pain, the shirtless, parched Browns supporters for at least one memorable night got a glimpse of a future that might include their first Super Bowl berth, a future possibly without Deshaun Watson.
As for Pittsburgh (8-3), George Pickens and his emotional comments aside, this lump of coal could last into January. The Steerers defense somehow held Cleveland to 1-for-10 on third downs but allowed the Browns to convert all four of their fourth-down snaps. In a bookend weekend for the AFC North, should Baltimore (7-4) beat the Chargers on the road Monday night, Pittsburgh would sit down for its Thanksgiving meal just a half game ahead of the Ravens.
And, no question, Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and the Bengals next week in Cincinnati would love nothing more than to feast on a suddenly vulnerable Steelers defense. Pittsburgh now needs to avoid a second-half collapse that would leave observers comparing the Steelers to last season’s Eagles.
For more information on the Browns and Steelers, visit the Cleveland and Pittsburgh team pages at ProFootballPost.com.
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