Steelers' Arthur Smith Admits To Making A Costly Mistake In Week 12 Loss To The Browns

The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming into Week 13 off a disappointing 24-19 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Sitting at 8-3 and still first in the AFC North, the Steelers remain in a strong position but face a crucial road matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. A win would help solidify their hold on the division, but the Steelers know they needs to address some key issues to bounce back. One major concern has been the performance of the offense, which struggled to find consistency against Cleveland's formidable defense.

Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith faced criticism for his play-calling in the loss, marking the first real scrutiny of his leadership this season. While Smith has been praised for revitalizing the Steelers' offense, his decisions against the Browns left much to be desired. During a pivotal fourth-quarter drive, questionable calls stalled momentum, leaving fans and analysts questioning his approach. Smith acknowledged the missteps during a media session via a team provided transcript, admitting that he was "chasing plays" instead of sticking to the game plan.

Despite the setback, Smith’s response demonstrated accountability and a focus on improvement. He emphasized the need to learn from the loss and make adjustments heading into the Bengals game, where the Steelers will face another tough divisional opponent. 

"The first one, we get a false start," Smith said. "You always have regrets. You don't want too many, 'Hey, need that one back, but sometimes when you chase a play, if you've got something schemed up or you get one shot... You may miss it. Different reasons. Third and one, we false started, we had the look we wanted. I call it kind of chasing that look again and they did a good job the second time."

The play Smith referred to occurred on a critical 3rd-and-1 early in the game when the Steelers brought in Justin Fields for a special package. These packages are designed to confuse defenses because Fields’ dual-threat ability forces them to stack the box against the run while also respecting the possibility of a pass. It’s a strategic wrinkle meant to keep opponents guessing.

On this particular play, tight end Darnell Washington was flagged for a false start, pushing the Steelers back five yards. However, the bigger issue was that the Browns got a preview of the play Smith intended to run. 

Confident in its effectiveness, Smith decided to call the same play later on a 4th-and-2 during the next drive. Unfortunately, the Browns had already seen the design and stopped it with ease. Smith later admitted he was chasing that play, a mistake that cost the Steelers some momentum.

Steelers Run A Real Risk With Justin Fields' Special Plays

This highlights the risk of subbing out Russell Wilson for Fields. The change in cadence disrupted the offense, leading to Washington's jump. Had the penalty not occurred, the Steelers might have converted the original 3rd-and-1 and extended the drive. Instead, the error allowed Cleveland to adjust, and the Steelers lost a key opportunity to capitalize.

The Steelers’ offense has made noticeable strides under Smith, but it’s still a work in progress. While there have been clear improvements, Smith needs to close out the season strong and get the unit back into a consistent rhythm. The offense showed promise just a couple of weeks ago with Wilson opening up the passing attack, but recent performances have stalled that momentum.

Heading into Week 13, Smith has an opportunity to reset. The Bengals’ secondary has struggled this season, providing an ideal chance for the Steelers to exploit their weaknesses and reignite their offensive spark. A strong showing in Cincinnati could not only help silence criticism of Smith’s play-calling from the Browns game but also reestablish confidence in his ability to lead the offense.

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