A 51-point beatdown in Pittsburgh
The Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers face off on Sunday in Pittsburgh.
It will be the 148th meeting of what is the AFC’s most played rivalry, as the two teams have been playing each other since 1950.
Some of the games have been competitive; many, especially since 1999, have not.
But there is one game that stands out among the rest, and it took place in Pittsburgh on September 10, 1989.
Cleveland was still a talented team, one that had made the playoffs the previous
four seasons. But there were still some questions, as the game would be the debut of head coach Bud Carson, who took over after the departure of Marty Schottenheimer following a loss to the Houston Oilers the previous year in a Wild Card playoff game.
The Steelers, on the other hand, had spent the decade grasping at the remnants of the 1970s after being displaced as the top dawg in the division by the Browns.
Having broken the Three Rivers Jinx in 1986, and having won three consecutive games in Pittsburgh, there was a good feeling that the Browns would make it four in a row and open the season on a winning note.
But no one could have predicted what took place that afternoon.
Cleveland jumped out to a 17-0 lead at the end of the first quarter on the backs of defensive touchdowns from linebackers Clay Matthews and David Grayson.
Having the Steelers down, the Browns stepped on the gas and the lead grew to 30-0 at halftime, 44-0 at the end of the third quarter, and 51-0 when the final whistle blew. The 51-point differential is still the fourth-biggest margin for a Week 1 game in NFL history.
Thirty-seven years later, the result is as stunning as it was on the day it occurred.
Sunday’s game carries extra importance as the Browns are looking for a season sweep of the
Steelers while also maintaining their hold on first place in the AFC North Division.
No one is expecting a repeat of the 1989 game, as a win by any margin at a stadium where the Browns have not tasted victory in the regular season since 2003 would do just fine.
Are the Browns up to it? Time will tell.
For now, let’s start the day with the latest edition of the Daily Dawg Chow.
Dawgs By Nature
Browns HC remains singularly focused on the next game (Thomas Moore): The past is the past. Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken wants everyone focused on Sunday.
Browns, Steelers Week 8 injury reports: 9 players sit out 1st practice (Jared Mueller): Cleveland is going to need all hands on deck if they want to beat Pittsburgh.
Browns HC Todd Monken noncommittal on QB plan for Week 8 vs. the Steelers (Jared Mueller): The head coach is not about to tip his hand before a big divisional game.
Browns trade targets: CLE linked to multiple top NFL trade deadline rumored options (Jared Mueller): If the Browns keep winning, some of these rumors may actually turn into trades.
NFL trade deadline: How the Browns, GM Andrew Berry should proceed (Curtiss Brown): Speaking of trades, there are some that general manager Andrew Berry should explore, and some he should avoid.
The Browns’ YAC is their recipe for success (Abby Mueller): Yards after the catch can be a quarterback’s and an offense’s best friend.
The Feed
The AFC’s version of Kirk Cousins? Hmm. Have your say in The Feed.
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Cleveland Browns
What can Browns gain from 1st Steelers game? ‘You can’t change dramatically’ (Beacon Journal): The Browns whipped them once. Can they do it again?
Deshaun Watson says he’s not surprised by comeback that has stunned many (Browns Zone): Watson is finally enjoying life in Cleveland.
Extending Maliek Collins was Browns’ latest move to keep defensive core in place (The Athletic): Browns keeping the top guys on defense happy.
Dawand Jones saw that controversial no-call, but he’s ‘blind to it’ as Browns move on to Steelers (cleveland.com): Cleveland’s right tackle embracing the “don’t look back” mentality.
NFL
Mike McDaniel to continue calling plays for Chargers (Bolts from the Blue): It’s a strategy.
With Davante Adams out, Rams leaning on the run game (ESPN): The Rams have to try something before the season completely slips away.
Colts WR Josh Downs requests trade ahead of NFL deadline for deals (NFL.com): Will Downs be the next man to go in Indianapolis’ fire sale?
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