Steelers Fall To Browns, 29-17: National Reaction To Defeat

PITTSBURGH, PA — An anemic offense and ineffective defense doomed the Steelers to a 29-17 loss against the Cleveland Browns Thursday.

Here's what sports writers across the country thought of the game:

• Michael Baca, NFL.com: "Once the Browns took away the sidelines and forced (quarteback Mitch) Trubisky to throw down the middle, the Steelers offense stagnated and made life easy for a Browns defense that blew a late lead last Sunday. At the end of the night, Pittsburgh had 308 yards of total offense and converted just 1 of 11 third downs."

• Jelani Scott, Sports Illustrated:"Much like the first two weeks, Trubisky, the former second pick had a few moments but the Steelers were unable to truly capitalize on TNF. After scoring touchdowns on two of its five first-half drives—another one of which ended in a 49-yard missed field goal—Pittsburgh mustered up just one field goal with four punts over its last five series to end the game."

• Brooke Pryor, ESPN: "Trubisky and the offense reverted to an anemic brand of football in the second half. After completing 9 of 13 passes for 109 yards in the first half, Trubisky completed 6 of 12 passes for 41 yards until the final drive of the fourth quarter, when he targeted the middle of the field and moved the ball into range for a field goal."

• Bryan DeArdo, CBS Sports: "Before heading into the game, Trubisky did not have one game with over 200 yards passing, but just made it Thursday, with a stat line of 20-for-32 for 211 yards and no touchdowns. Trubisky has not shown enough this season, with some asking if he should be benched for rookie QB Kenny Pickett."

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