The Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t need to mount a “get back” game against the Cleveland Browns in Week 14. During the week preceding the second matchup between the two bitter AFC North rivals, multiple Steelers players said Head Coach Mike Tomlin had drilled into them that this was a “get better” game. They definitely needed to get better or play better than they did in the Week 12 loss. However, according to one Browns player, the Steelers can’t take any credit for beating them 27-14.

Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers QB Russell Wilson against the Browns.

Browns quarterback Jameis Winston is an interesting character. After an incredible college career, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected him first overall in the 2015 NFL Draft. He got off to an excellent start in his rookie season, but in year five, the Bucs realized that Winston’s problems, namely interceptions, weren’t going away.

Winston joined the Browns as Deshaun Watson’s backup during the 2024 offseason. He got to step up and take over the offense in October when Watson was sidelined with an Achilles tear.

Winston attracts a lot of attention during his press conferences. He is proud of his strong convictions and often gives complicated answers about his roller-coaster career. For example, after the recent loss to the Denver Broncos, Winston said that he is praying for God to deliver him from pick-sixes. So it is no surprise he made some confusing comments regarding the loss to the Steelers.

After throwing at least two interceptions for the second week in a row, Winston, the Browns, and their fans were disheartened. This was only the second time Winston had played the Steelers and the first time he ever played in Pittsburgh. After the game, he was asked how his first game in the Steel City was. Winston said he wished they had won.

“This is a great team, but in that game, I feel like the Pittsburgh Steelers let the Cleveland Browns beat the Cleveland Browns,” proclaimed Winston. “I don’t believe the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns. I believe the Cleveland Browns beat the Cleveland Browns.”

Part of winning NFL games is exploiting the weaknesses other teams expose, using the gifts they give you, and the Steelers definitely did that. Of course, anytime a team loses, it is fair to criticize the way that team played. After the earlier loss to the Browns, there was a lot of valid criticism about Pittsburgh, but that doesn’t take away from the effort that Cleveland put into that game.

Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers OLB Alex Highsmith making a hit on Cleveland Browns QB Jameis Winston.

It may not have been a revenge game, but the Steelers’ defense played like they wanted to avenge the prior loss. While the offense got off to a bit of a slow start, the defense kept the pressure on Winston and the Browns’ offense. They forced three turnovers, which ultimately helped them win the game. They now advance to 10-3 and remain atop the AFC North as they gear up to face the Philadelphia Eagles.

Steelers Also Don’t Get Credit For Big Defensive Play

Winston’s first interception came near the start of the second quarter. In his interview, he said he never saw number 95, Keeanu Benton, as he attempted a screen pass to Nick Chubb. He said it was just one of those things that happened to quarterbacks, and he felt like he had put it in the right spot.

However, his second interception definitely wasn’t his fault. It came during the game’s last five minutes as Winston and the Browns desperately tried to get back in the game before time expired. He fired a pass to Elijah Moore, but James Pierre picked it off. Winston defended that pass by saying it was a perfect throw and that “we all have to be in the right place at the right time,” meaning that perhaps Moore was to blame.

Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers’ Keeanu Benton picks off the Browns in Week 14.

Did the Steelers beat the Browns, or did the Browns beat the Browns? Click to comment below.