Well, that was kind of a mess.

Things got off to a bad start for the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Cleveland Browns on Thursday evening. Things looked better again halfway through the fourth quarter. Until they weren’t anymore.

For example, in a tough AFC North road game in a snowstorm in a short week, the Steelers dropped a winnable game in a short week, snapped a five-game winning streak and fell to 8-3 on the season. It was undoubtedly a frustrating loss, but the skies are not cloudy, and this is no indication of what lies ahead for the Steelers in the coming weeks.

This is the kind of loss that makes you move on – and fast – so that’s what I’ll try to do here. Let’s get some numbers and get into mini-bye week.

QB-B

For the most part, I thought Russell Wilson had a fairly strong game. Wilson completed 21 of 28 passes for 290 yards and a touchdown in the loss. He had a bad fumble with poor ball security in the pocket while trying to move, leading to a Browns field goal. But overall, Wilson was sharp.

He connected on a handful of shots down the field, threw a dime to Calvin Austin III for the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter and really looked comfortable in the poor conditions. He also moved quite well and showed off his mobility.

Wilson made some big throws down the field, hitting the likes of Austin, Van Jefferson and George Pickens for over 30 yards of gain. He also scripted a number of plays and made smart decisions with the football, rarely compromising it.

However, he was sacked four times in the first half and the Steelers were not as sharp in the red zone either. That fumble also loomed large as it gave Browns points.

But overall, a good game from Wilson, who showed that conditions wouldn’t get in his way as a passer. In any case, that is positive.

It was fun to see Justin Fields get an inside look at the game. He had a nice 30-yard run down the right sideline that gave the Steelers a spark, but he was blown up on a short-yardage play that was doomed from the start. He also had a shaky downfield pass to George Pickens on a key 3rd-and-4 that was mind-boggling to watch.

Fortunately, Fields caught a rough passer call on the play, extending a touchdown drive for the Black and Gold.

RB-C

A very blah performance from Najee Harris on Thursday night. The winter conditions should have been perfect for the downhill slog. Instead, it was bottled up and had very little impact and often looked sluggish while working downhill. Granted, he didn’t get much help from his offensive line, especially in short-yardage situations, but it was just a rough game for Harris.

He finished with just 16 carries for 41 yards and added two receptions for 13 yards. He also had a fumble that Russell Wilson recovered. He just didn’t have much power, and it didn’t work against the Browns’ penetrating defensive line.

Jaylen Warren had slightly more success against Cleveland, rushing 11 times for 45 yards and a touchdown while adding three receptions for 19 yards. He attacked much faster downhill and was able to cut through Cleveland’s defense to take advantage of downfield penetration.

The close range failures were maddening.

WR-B

A nice day for Calvin Austin III, who remains a playmaker with Wilson under center. Austin finished with three receptions or 78 yards and a touchdown, hauling in a 46-yard pass from Wilson in the first half and then making a spectacular contested catch in the end zone for the game’s go-ahead signal.

He develops great chemistry with Wilson.

George Pickens had a decent night, hauling in four passes for 48 yards. However, one of his catches went for 31 yards. He also had a great catch on third-and-short in the first half, gaining on a slant and making a diving catch through contact. But he was involved in a controversy after the failed Hail Mary postgame and later had some interesting comments about the Browns.

Van Jefferson hauled in a 35-yard pass from Wilson in the third quarter to breathe life into the offense after the Steelers fell behind 18-6. He only had two receptions that day, but one of them was a big play.

The use of Mike Williams is baffling and makes no sense. Williams played just 16 snaps and didn’t see a single target. Those are back-to-back games he’s gone to without a goal. He has already scored 50 goals for the Steelers this season with just one goal, a TD against Washington. Involve him more.

TE — B-

Nice performance for Pat Freiermuth, who had a bigger role in the passing game on Thursday evening. Freiermuth completed four passes for 59 yards and was deployed in the middle of the field a few times. It was great to see. He had a nice 22-yard reception on third down in the first quarter and later added some clutch catches with the Steelers in comeback mode.

Darnell Washington had three receptions for 14 yards and continues to get more work in the passing game. Connor Heyward had a great block on Fields’ 30-yard run, picking off two defenders to get Fields to jump. But he had some bad short-yardage blocks and also had two pre-snap penalties.

OLD

I thought the offensive line was much better in pass protection than it would get credit for, as the Browns had four sacks, all of which came in the first half. But overall, the linemen held up well and gave Wilson plenty of time.

More often than not, the sacks were the result of Cleveland’s coverage on the back end and no one opening up for Pittsburgh.

In the run game, however, the offensive line was a disaster, especially in short yardage. It was pushed around by Cleveland’s defensive front and had no answers in those momentous moments.

The All-22 won’t be pretty.

DL—C—

The Browns didn’t have much success running the football, finishing with just 85 yards on 27 carries, but Cleveland scored three rushing touchdowns and was able to run the football when needed with Nick Chubb.

The defensive line wasn’t as big as I expected in a game against a struggling offensive line.

Cameron Heyward played great football again, with six tackles, one tackle for loss and two pass breakups. He did a great job of getting his hands in the throwing lanes when he couldn’t get home in the rush, and he often controlled the point of attack against the run.

He didn’t get much help from others.

Larry Ogunjobi had three tackles, but he couldn’t get to Jameis Winston in the fourth quarter due to Winston’s struggle and throw to Jerry Jeudy for a big gain. Keeanu Benton was invisible for a long time and Isaiahh Loudermilk and Dean Lowry were not as impressive as they were last Sunday against the Ravens.

LB-C

Nick Herbig had a nice night against the Browns, with a sack, a forced fumble, four pressures, five tackles and three run stops on his 23rd birthday. He also had a play in the fourth quarter that seemed to change the game, but it ultimately didn’t last.

TJ Watt was seemingly invisible all night. I know the Browns chipped him pretty badly, but he faced only three true double teams, according to Next Gen Stats, and didn’t provide much pressure. He finished with four tackles and had a tackle for loss against the run, but he needs to have more impact rushing the passer, and the Steelers need to move him more.

Preston Smith had four tackles and also made a nice move in space in coverage.

Inside, Patrick Queen was everywhere again, with seven tackles and a pass breakup. He also provided important pressure on third down, reaching Jameis Winston on what should have been ruled an intentional grounder, but mysteriously was just an illegal penalty.

Elandon Roberts also had early pressure on a blitz, but he missed a tackle at short range, allowing the Browns to convert in a big spot and later leave the game with an injury.

Payton Wilson had six tackles and flew in his first game with the Browns. But the six tackles felt empty in a way.

DB—C-

Just a few days after being dominant against the Ravens, Joey Porter Jr. a step back in bad circumstances.

Cleveland went right at him early and often, and Porter never really adjusted. He finished with six tackles, but gave up too much space in the passing game. He also had some communication issues on a big spot on third down in the fourth quarter with safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, leading to a completion to move the chains.

Donte Jackson had an interception in the fourth quarter that seemingly sealed the game for the Steelers, but he also gave up a catch to tight end Blake Whiteheart for an explosive play. Beanie Bishop Jr. nearly had an interception in the second half, but also was assessed a severe five-yard delay of play penalty on a play that very clearly looked like WR Jerry Jeudy had not been touched, Bishop made the right call to try to hit the ball out.

DeShon Elliott was a rock for the Steelers, recording six tackles, breaking up a pass and just being everywhere. He has been a great addition. Minkah Fitzpatrick was fairly quiet though, making just three tackles. He was beaten at a key position late in the game on a Browns third-down conversion.

Special Teams — D-

Tough night for the Steelers’ special teams.

Chris Boswell missed a 58-yard field goal, though he did finish 2-for-3 on the night. His march towards NFL history continues, so there’s that.

Corliss Waitman had a bad shaft in the second half and threw the ball 15 yards, giving the Browns the ball in Steelers territory. It led to the game-winning points. It was also his only punt of the evening.

In the return game, the Steelers simply don’t generate anything on kickoffs. Cordarrelle Patterson looks like he’s running in dirt and has only gained 24 yards on two returns. Warren had a return of 26 yards. Meanwhile, for the Browns, Jerome Ford had a 27-yard return to get past the Cleveland 30.

Damontae Kazee took a terrible penalty in the first quarter, leaving Mike Ford Jr. was blocked out of bounds and then couldn’t stop, adding 15 yards to what was just a 12-yard kick from Cleveland’s Corey Bojorquez. Bad situational football.