CLEVELAND -- A few thoughts on the Pittsburgh Steelers' 31-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium.
What it means: The Steelers didn’t just lose a game on a crisp, sunny day near the shores of Lake Erie. They may have also ceded the psychological advantage they have enjoyed since the NFL returned to Cleveland in 1999. The Browns dominated the Steelers after a slow start and have outscored their longtime tormentor 55-13 in the past six quarters. Unlike recent losses to the Browns, the Steelers couldn’t blame this one on not being ready to play or a rash of fumbles. The Browns (3-2) are simply the better team right now, and the franchise appears to be headed in the right direction. The Steelers have some serious soul-searching to do after falling to 3-3 and getting embarrassed in the process.
Stock watch: Something is wrong with Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. A week after not playing particularly well in a narrow win at Jacksonville, Roethlisberger looked completely out of sync against a team he normally owns and was outplayed by Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer. Roethlisberger completed just 21 of 42 passes for 228 yards and seemed off all day in losing to the Browns for just the second time in 20 starts. He inexplicably kept throwing to second-year wide receiver Markus Wheaton even though it looked like the two had met for the first time Sunday and had never played together before. Wheaton caught four passes for 33 yards despite getting 11 balls thrown his way. Roethlisberger just barely overshot a wide-open Wheaton in the end zone in the fourth quarter.
Failure in all three phases: The synergy created when the different units play off one another was nowhere to be found for the Steelers during a disastrous second quarter. After the offense could not convert on yet another third down inside the opponent's 20-yard line, the Steelers had to settle for a 34-yard field goal attempt. But Shaun Suisham never got to kick as Brad Wing tried get too fine with the hold and killed the timing of the play. After Wing was thrown for a loss following a desperate attempt to run for the first down, the Steelers defense allowed the Browns to cover 68 yards in just five plays and score the first of three second-quarter touchdowns. The Browns outgained the Steelers 210 yards to 108 in the second quarter after getting outgained 73 to minus-8 in the game’s first 15 minutes.
Game ball: Wide receiver Antonio Brown caught seven passes for 118 yards, and the two-time Pro Bowler may have been even more of a factor had the Steelers tried to involve him more in the offense early. Brown was one of the few Steelers who did his part against the Browns.
Injury update: Nose tackle Steve McLendon did not play in the second half because of a right shoulder injury. Defensive end Brett Keisel left the game in the fourth quarter with a knee injury and did not return. Linebacker Lawrence Timmons hurt his back after a collision with free safety Mike Mitchell but returned to the game. Defensive end Cameron Heyward left the game in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury but also returned. Linebacker Ryan Shazier (knee), safety Shamarko Thomas (hamstring) and cornerback Ike Taylor (forearm) did not play because of injuries.
What’s next: The Steelers host the Houston Texans a week from Monday. The Texans have been off since losing 33-28 to the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday night. The Texans are 3-3 under first-year coach Bill O’Brien after winning just two games all of last season.
