1 of 6 | Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) makes a catch for a two-point conversion against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI |
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Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens threw several verbal jabs at the Cleveland Browns, saying they were "saved" by snowy conditions, which he believes aided their victory in the AFC North divisional meeting.
The Steelers out-gained the Browns 368-304 in total yards and held an 11-minute edge in time of possession in the 24-19 loss Thursday in Cleveland. Snow flurries fell throughout the second half, eventually blanketing the grass of Huntington Bank Field.
"Conditions played a huge, huge part in [Thursday's] game," Pickens told reporters. "I don't really think the Cleveland Browns are a good team at all.
"I think the conditions kind of saved them."
Pickens also cited the performance of "away game referees" when asked about the loss.
"The snow, the conditions were so bad," he said. "I don't even think the quarterback could see sometimes. When you got conditions like that, at the opponents' home field, it kind of plays in their favor."
Pickens finished the game with four catches for 48 yards, with 31 coming off one catch. Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson completed 21 of 28 passes for 270 yards and a score. He threw for 147 yards in the first half.
The Steelers held an initial 3-0 lead, but went down 18-6 in the fourth quarter. They then rallied to take a 19-18 edge with 6:15 remaining, but allowed a 9-play, 45-yard go-ahead drive by the Browns.
Wilson marched the Steelers down to the Browns 35-yard line for the final play of the game, but his final deep heave into the end zone was batted down as time expired. Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II pushed Pickens out of the back of the end zone during the final sequence.
Veteran running back Nick Chubb scored the Browns' go-ahead touchdown, finding the end zone for his second score of the night with less than a minute remaining. He totaled 60 yards from scrimmage in the victory. Browns quarterback Jameis Winston completed 18 of 27 passes for 219 yards and an interception. He also scored a rushing touchdown.
Steelers running backs Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris totaled 64 and 54 yards from scrimmage, respectively. Warren's 3-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter cut into the Browns' 18-6 lead. Wilson then hit Calvin Austin with a 23-yard touchdown toss to give the Steelers a late edge, but their defense couldn't stop the Browns' final drive.
Browns defensive end Myles Garrett logged three sacks and a forced fumble in the victory. Linebacker Jordan Hicks also logged a sack for the Browns.
"It was all about rallying and staying together," Garrett said.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin started his news conference by complimenting the Browns for their "hard-fought" victory. He also said his players took "too long to warm up" for the competition and cited pre-snap penalties.
"They made more plays over the course of 60 minutes than we did," Tomlin said.
The Steelers (8-3) will face the Cincinnati Bengals (4-7) on Dec. 1 in Cincinnati. The Browns (3-8) will take on the Denver Broncos (6-5) on Dec. 2 in Denver.
