Two interceptions were thrown by Jameis Winston, two field goals were missed by Dustin Hopkins, and Cleveland suffered its 21st consecutive regular-season loss at Acrisure Stadium.
CLEVELAND — The snow was gone, and with it, the underdog magic.
This Sunday did not bring any memorable triumph for the Browns, no unlikely comeback, and no comfort from what has been an overall dismal season. Instead, all that was felt was the disappointment of yet another away defeat to the rival Steelers.
The 27-14 loss on Sunday was the Browns’ 10th of the 2024 season, and their 21st consecutive defeat in Pittsburgh during regular season play. It was a stark contrast to their victory on a Thursday night 2 1/2 weeks prior, which was characterized by a snowstorm covering 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.
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.
