Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens went viral and received some criticism after he said following the club’s upset 24-19 loss at the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night that he doesn’t think the Browns “are a good team at all” and that the wintery conditions at Huntington Bank Field “kind of saved” Cleveland.
Former Steelers cornerback and current analyst Bryant McFadden shared a different take while speaking on CBS Sports HQ shortly after the end of Thursday’s contest.
“Now you gotta look yourselves in the mirror,” McFadden said about Pittsburgh players, as shared by Troy Montgomery of Steelers Depot. “We’ve been patting the Pittsburgh Steelers on the back over the last few weeks, deservedly so based on their performance. Now, you really have to look at yourself in the mirror and get back to the little things, attention to details.”
While Pittsburgh had won five consecutive games heading into Thursday night, there were signs the AFC North club was more a pretender than a legitimate contender before it fell to 8-3 on the campaign. The Steelers scored zero touchdowns and, thus, needed six Chris Boswell field goals for the second time this season in last Sunday’s 18-16 home victory over the rival Baltimore Ravens.
ESPN Bet listed Pittsburgh as a 3.5-point favorite against Cleveland before kickoff, but the visitors then trailed throughout the contest’s second half until receiver Calvin Austin III recorded a 23-yard touchdown catch with 6:15 remaining in regulation. Following a shanked punt, what is supposed to be a top-tier Steelers defense surrendered a game-losing 45-yard touchdown drive while facing backup Cleveland quarterback Jameis Winston.
The Browns began the night at 2-8 on the season.
“When you look at a team that has been thriving with the Pittsburgh Steelers,” McFadden continued, “you would like to see a better start on the road. That’s the most important thing when you’re playing against a team that’s spiraling in the wrong direction.”
The Steelers will have some extra time to recover from this setback before they begin preparing for their game at the 4-7 Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 1. A Bengals team that has suffered six one-possession defeats this season entered its bye after last Sunday night.
