CLEVELAND – Nothing says AFC North football better than a snow game, and under the primetime lights in the rivalry game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, that’s exactly what we have.

At kickoff, the sky outside on the shores of Lake Erie was clear, but the field was clear and the weather wasn’t really a factor.

But in the second half the heavens opened and the snow started to fall.

At 9:57 PM the field looked like this at Huntington Bank Field:

Camryn Justice

Exactly 10 minutes later this was the scene in the stadium:

Camryn Justice

Heavy flakes quickly covered the field. Crews had to come out with shovels and brushes to clear the lines on the grid. There were even some whiteout conditions as the wind blew snow through the air.

The Browns expected such a game Thursday night. This is the environment that historically distinguishes the AFC North.

“I just grew up seeing the blood, sweat and tears that went into these games. These games are hard-nosed, hard-fought, real definition, cold weather, football weather, football games. This is the premiere,” said quarterback Jameis Winston. Tuesday.

The Browns then defeated the Steelers in a down-to-earth game, 24-19. A Steelers Hail Mary attempt was knocked down in the end zone, sealing the Browns’ victory. As soon as the game was dead, the Browns players started having snowball fights with each other and some, including safety Rodney McLeod and defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II, fell to the ground and started doing snow angels.

“It was like the funniest, craziest game ever,” wide receiver Elijah Moore said. “I tried to stay locked in, but I was just grateful. I think it’s so beautiful, to be honest. I thought it was super cool to play in.”

Joel Bitiono, who is in his 11th season with the Browns, played in cold games in Cleveland, but none liked Thursday’s game, where fast and heavy snow hit them.

“I grew up in California, but you dream about playing in a snow game like that, so that was pretty fun,” guard Joel Bitonio said. “I’ve never had one before, we’ve had a few cold games and a few snow games, but nothing like this. So that was a first, but it was typically what you expect. The momentum went both ways and then whoever had the ball had the last chance to score and we gave them some time but our defense stepped up and got a win. But that’s what I think of when I think of AFC North football.

For linebacker Mohamoud Diabate, this type of game was one he always dreamed of playing.

“It feels great, these are the games you always watch as a kid. These are the big primetime games I always dreamed of playing in as a kid, so being able to come here and get a W is a big moment, I’ll always remember this,” Diabate said.

For fans at the game, conditions were cold, but some showed appreciation for the cold and snow. Even some groups of shirtless men braved the elements to cheer on their team. Because in a few years, as the Browns move toward construction of a new domed stadium, these games may no longer exist in Cleveland, making these moments under the primetime lights a memory in the making.

And it certainly doesn’t hurt that the game ended with a win for the Browns.