In what felt like a replay of Week 1’s loss, the Cleveland Browns were blown out by the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season. A matchup of the top two teams in the AFC North,the Steelers controlled the game from start to finish, with Cleveland struggling on both sides of the ball.
While not a major impact on the game, and both returned to the contest, a few injuries on the defense didn’t help the Browns’ cause
.A few key takeaways, few positive, from the train wreck that was Week 8
for Cleveland:
Young teams are inconsistent
Not an excuse, but important to note that the Browns are a very young team facing a veteran-laden Steelers squad for the second time this year. Cleveland was also on the road in a very tough place to play.
Deshaun Watson’s early struggles with quick decisions
Simply put, quarterback play in the NFL is all about going through the first two reads while in your drop back and throwing the ball when you hit your back foot. Even at his best, that has not been Watson’s game, which leads to more sacks and what looks like “running for your life” plays. Those plays will happen, at times, throughout the league, but most quarterbacks are throwing passes as players are in their break or before; Watson is often waiting until they are out of their breaks.
Was this game all on the quarterback? Not at all; problems were all over the place. Just notable that it seems like Watson isn’t getting protection, but his style of play doesn’t help either.
Ronnie Hickman’s poor angle leads to 2 big gains
51 on third and long and 23 yards late in the 2nd quarter to get Pittsburgh near midfield, leading to a late first-half touchdown were both because Cleveland’s safety took horrible angles in run support. This is not the first time Hickman’s lack of run discipline caused the Browns problems.
Trying anything for a kick return spark
Nothing really popped, but interesting that Isaiah Bond took the first kickoff, then it was Malachi Corley, followed by Dylan Sampson. It was obvious that Cleveland’s coaches knew they needed something to spark a win in Week 8 and were willing to try a few different things
Bad start followed by few adjustments
Early in the game, the Browns looked bad again. Unlike the past few weeks, whatever adjustments the coaches tried just didn’t work. The Steelers were not going to be fooled again by changes made by Cleveland as they did in Week 4.
Harold Fannin has second straight big game
One of the few positives from Week 8, Fannin had 10 catches for 154 yards. While the second-year tight end fumbled early in the game, he was one of the lone bright spots from the Browns offense.
Carson Schwesinger injured?
The reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year just didn’t look like himself. While he’s fought through his ankle injury for the last few games, Schwesinger was out of place, physically manhandled and “led” a Browns defense that gave up 200 yards rushing.
Defense’s redzone success kept Browns in the game in 1st half
While the overall performance by Cleveland’s defense wasn’t good, a few key stops (forcing a punt and 2 redzone field goals), made the game seem within reach (until Pittsburgh’s touchdown drive to end the first half).
Horrible defense leads to giving up TD at end of 2nd quarter
Including Hickman and Schwesinger mistakes, the Browns allowed the Steelers to drive 69 yards in 44 seconds to turn a seven-point halftime deficit into a 14-point hole that would not be overcome. A very deflating possession by Cleveland’s defense after the offense had just driven for three more points.
Allow Darnell Washington big gains on the same play twice
Something good coaches do: Pittsburgh ran the same play that broke tendencies and found their huge tight end for big plays on both. Often, Washington is used as a blocker on wide receiver screens. Twice, the Steelers set up what looked like a WR screen, but Washington leaked out instead for big gains, beating Schwesinger.
Forcing fumbles still, recoveries are mostly luck
Cleveland’s defense forced two more fumbles, but were not able to capitalize with possession at the end of the play. DC Mike Rutenberg preaches going after the football, and the Browns have bought into doing so. Unfortunately, data shows that fumble recoveries are just random with an oblong ball that bounces in many different ways.
Denzel Ward having a career year
Tied his career high with three INTs already; big hustle play with DK Metcalf wide open; took the ball away from the Steelers’ big receiver. With a big contract extension this offseason, Ward has made GM Andrew Berry look good on that decision.
Jared Verse conversation continues
Listen, the Browns are not trading Verse, but another game where Verse’s name was rarely said by the broadcasters in any positive way and just one assist in the box score is concerning. There are tons of things that Verse does to help the defense, but the lack of impact plays is problematic, especially as he continues to trash talk.
2 taunting, 1 late roughness penalties while down 21 points
Sam Williams and Quinshon Judkins just have no reason to taunt when their team is down that much. Quincy Williams got into the act in the fourth quarter, getting called for unnecessary roughness after a play.
Jaylen Warren was the expected star; couldn’t stop the run, just like last week
It is one thing when a player has a big game coming out of nowhere. Coming into the game, it was obvious that Warren was the most important player on the Steelers offense. Did Cleveland load up to stop the run? It didn’t seem like it, and it didn’t work if they did. Warren had 143 yards on just 17 attempts with one touchdown. Backup RB Rico Dowdle added 56 yards on the ground as well.
What are your takeaways from the Browns getting destroyed in Week 8 by the Steelers?
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