CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Browns play in Pittsburgh Sunday. Browns fans know what happens. The orange helmets go to Pittsburgh and they lose. But this year, I’m having an internal debate about maybe, just maybe, winning in Pittsburgh.
QUESTION: Can the Browns win in Pittsburgh?
ANSWER: No.
Q: What? NO?
A: I just fell into the “Same Old Browns mindset.” That’s what happens when the Browns have a 16-game road losing streak in Pittsburgh and seldom beat the Steelers in Cleveland.
Q: So you think it’s impossible for them to win in Pittsburgh?
A: I’ve seen it happen.
Q: You did?
A: I was there, October 5, 2003. It was an 8:30 p.m. start.
Q: You saw them win in Pittsburgh? That’s like saying you once saw a Triceratops on Euclid Avenue.
A: Final score: Browns 33, Steelers 13. Tim Couch (Lord bless him!) was masterful. He completed 20 of 25 passes. He threw a pair of TDs, one to Andre’ Davis and one to Kevin Johnson. He even ran for a 9-yard TD.
Q: They beat Big Ben in Pittsburgh?
A: That’s never happened. Ben Roethlisberger is 12-0 vs. the Browns in Pittsburgh. But the Browns did beat QBs Tommy Maddox and Charlie Batch in that 2003 game.
Q: So you think…
A: I want to talk a little more about that game. Couch played the best game of his 5-year career. But all the early career sacks (116 in his first three years) wrecked his body. That 2003 season would be the last time he played in an NFL game.
Courtney Brown shows off ball after causing and recovering a fumble from Pittsburgh’s Tommy Maddox on Pittsburgh’s first possession. Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer
Q: But this year…
A: Courtney Brown had a pair of sacks. He forced a fumble and recovered it. This was one of the best games of his career. Injuries would have him out of the NFL two years later. William Green ran for 115 yards. Butch Davis still looked liked the coach who led them to 2002 playoffs.
Q: What happened?
A: Couch got hurt. Green was injured, then had some personal problems. After that victory in Pittsburgh, the Browns were 3-8 to finish the 2003 season at 5-11.
Q: So you’ve gone gloom and doom on this Browns team?
A: I was channeling a happy Browns memory from Pittsburgh. I’m ready for another one.
Q: Can it happen?
A: I have been wrong about the Browns so far. I picked them to finish 8-8. I thought they’d start slow because of the new coaching staff, COVID-19, etc. Instead, they’re 4-1 with a four-game winning streak.
Baker Mayfield is slow to stand up after injuring his ribs on a hit against the Indianapolis Colts in the second half last Sunday. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
Q: But you’re worried, right?
A: Baker Mayfield has sore ribs. The QB said: “Kind of the whole right side. Everything is intertwined right there. I am lucky with the way I landed that it was not directly on my shoulder – kind of rolled a little bit. Obviously, it could have been a lot worse.”
Q: Will he play Sunday?
A: Mayfield has been bruised and in pain up but never missed a start. His starting streak is 34 games for the Browns. Want some trivia?
Q: What?
A: When Mayfield was the QB in the Browns 32-23 victory over the Colts last week at First Energy Stadium that gave him 11 career wins on that field.
Q: That nice, so what?
A: That tied him with another QB for the most wins ever on that field with…
Q: Please don’t say Ben Roethlisberger?
A: Ben Roethlisberger. He has an 11-2-1 record in Cleveland. So he has as many wins in Cleveland as Mayfield.
Q: I’m changing the subject, what about Pittsburgh’s Cam Heywood saying he plans to “inflict good punishment” on Mayfield and his ribs?
A: What do you expect? It’s Pittsburgh. It’s football. You can expect some trash talk.
Q: How do you think Myles Garrett will react playing his first game against the Steelers since the brawl last season?
A: I expect him to be a force, as he has been all season with six sacks. I’d be very surprised if there is a big fight with him in the middle. Garrett made a poor decision and drew a six-game suspension to end last season. That’s not his general character. He’s a solid guy growing into an excellent leader. Garrett is one reason I’m thinking about the Browns pulling an upset over the 4-0 Steelers.
Q: Want another?
A: I wish I could say Nick Chubb, because he’s built for these type of games. But the Pro Bowl running back is out with a sore knee. They do have Kareem Hunt. They have Bill Callahan’s zone blocking scheme. They have an offense similar to what was used by former Browns offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. The formula led to the Browns beating the Steelers and Roethlisberger 31-10 in Cleveland in 2014.
Q: Did you notice Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said “this is a big game”?
A: I did and he said it with straight face, because that’s true. It’s not a season-changing game. But he senses these are not The Same Old Browns. I’m with him on that, despite Roethlisberger’s career 23-2-1 record vs. the Browns.
Q: Let’s have it, what’s your prediction?
A: I’m riding the with the Browns on their winning streak: Browns 23, Pittsburgh 20.
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