Rain, shine, or apparently snow, the Pittsburgh Steelers can’t seem to figure out how to win in Cleveland.
On Thursday, the Steelers were unable to overcome the frozen tundra or the pass rush of the Browns’ defensive line, dropping their fifth game in their last seven tries at Huntington Bank Field.
But if you ask Pittsburgh wideout George Pickens what led to the most recent defeat, it was, in fact, those snowy conditions and nothing the Browns did that helped Cleveland claim a 24-19 upset.
“The conditions played a huge, huge part in today’s game,” Pickens said following the loss. “I don’t really think the Cleveland Browns are a good team at all. I think the conditions kinda saved them today.”
The 23-year-old Pickens finished the game with four catches on seven targets for 48 yards — his worst totals since a Week 5 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. He also had a notable missed connection with quarterback Russell Wilson in the third quarter, just as the snowstorm settled in, leading him to say the Browns’ had the upper hand since they were at home.
“I don’t even think the QB could see sometimes,” he said. “When you’ve got conditions like that at the opponent’s home field, it kinda plays in their favour.”
The loss snapped Pittsbugh’s five-game winning streak, dropping the AFC North leaders to 8-3 on the season, while the Browns improved to 3-8 amid a disastrous 2024.
Cleveland will get its chance to respond to Pickens’ comments in just two weeks, as the Browns and Steelers will square off in Week 14.
