Steelers vs. Browns Takeaways: Myles Garrett Isn't Wrong

After a difficult loss to the Cleveland Browns, there are several obvious takeaways for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) tries to get past Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Troy Fautanu (76) and guard Spencer Anderson (74) during the second half of an NFL football game at Huntington Bank Field, Dec. 28, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio. | Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers played a terrible game against the Cleveland Browns, losing 13-6 and putting their season in critical danger. The fate of their campaign now hangs on the results of a winner-take-all game against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18.

This all could have been avoided, but the Steelers put out a terrible performance in Cleveland. With this game behind them, let's dive into the major takeaways from one of the Steelers' worst game of the year.

Time to Worry About Boswell?

Kicker Chris Boswell missed a 54-yard field goal in the contest. It was the second consecutive game he missed a field goal, something that feels like an impossibility with the serial-killer kicker.

On the season, he's converted 25 of 30 field goal attempts, good for an 83.3% conversion rate. He's on track to post the worst field goal percentage since an injury-riddled 2022 campaign. With one game left,

Dec 21, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Adam Thielen (16) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images | Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Wide Receiver Depth Costs Them Again

The chorus all summer, leading into the season and before the trade deadline, was whether the Steelers would address the depth at wide receiver.

It turns out, they did nothing. They added veterans Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Adam Thielen, but that has not moved the needle in terms of impact players.

That was never more evident than in Week 17. With DK Metcalf suspended and Calvin Austin III hurt, the team has no passing game whatsoever against the Browns. Aaron Rodgers threw the ball 39 times but only completed 21 passes for 168 yards and zero touchdowns.

Playing Scared is Losing Football

Head coach Mike Tomlin flat-out denied focusing too much on Myles Garrett's pursuit of the single-season sack record. Speaking postgame, he said the team didn't do anything they didn't usually do to stifle Garrett.

That was obviously a load of crap.

The Steelers were more concerned with keeping Garrett at bay than winning the division, and it was obvious. There is simply no other explanation for the amount of times Rodgers threw the ball away a millisecond before he usually does and the number of screen passes they threw.

It even caught the attention of the Browns' star defender. Speaking postgame, he said the obvious part out loud.

They were more worried about keeping me away from Aaron (Rodgers) than getting the win," he remarked. "That’s what came back to bite them."

#Browns DE Myles Garrett on the #Browns win vs. the #Steelers:

“They were more worried about keeping me away from Aaron (Rodgers) than getting the win. That’s what came back to bite them.” pic.twitter.com/EOsLNkj9Oj

— Ashly Holder (@AshNoelleTV) December 28, 2025

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