The AFC North continues to be run by the Pittsburgh Steelers as they defeated the Cleveland Browns by a score of 27-14 in Week 14. It was a quick turnaround for the Steelers as they faced the Browns again following a Week 12 loss in Cleveland. The Steelers made sure they were the more aggressive team this time and capitalized off of turnovers from the Browns. Although Pittsburgh's offense got off to a slow start again and was without star wide receiver George Pickens, Russell Wilson continued to make plays and found nine different receivers to throw to.
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Steelers' Joey Porter Jr. makes a tackle against the Browns in Week 14
A name thrown around throughout the week was Joey Porter Jr. Porter received some backlash after committing several penalties against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13 that caused the Bengals to continue their offensive drives and score on some. Head Coach Mike Tomlin and Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin came to Porter's defense throughout the week, and noted that Porter would have a big bounce-back game.
Porter had a more clean game against the Browns, but did have a flag against him to start the second half of the game. Porter committed an unnecessary roughing penalty, but reporters questioned his post-game scuffle with Jerry Jeudy as the Steelers finished off the game. Porter revealed why that even happened after the game.
"That’s the thing I wasn’t even trying to have a scuffle with him, but like I already don’t like those guys and they don’t like us so at the end of the day it is what it is," Porter explained. "We playing football, though, and I’m just happy we got the team win. And at the end of the day they lost, we won, so I’m happy.”
Besides Jeudy's early 35-yard touchdown, he was quiet for the rest of the afternoon, finishing with 64 yards. Porter did his job mostly in shutting down Jeudy after the Browns receiver had a 235-yard game in Week 13.
Benjamin B. Braun / Post-Gazette
Steelers' Joey Porter Jr makes a tackle on Jerry Jeudy in Week 14
Porter said there was a lot of back and forth between him and Jeudy throughout the game. Porter has been known to talk back to opposing players and get a little physical within games. It seemed the end of the game was when both had enough, although no videos have surfaced of the scuffle. Porter squashed anything more about it.
"It was cool," Porter said. "There was a lot of back and forth. I feel like I got under his skin and it was a quiet day for him, in my opinion."
The rest of the defense had a great game, picking off Jameis Winston twice. Winston also got sacked three times, two coming because of Cameron Heyward. Pittsburgh's defense was more aggressive this time around and allowed the offense to have more chances to score and get ahead.
Getting Alex Highsmith back also helped as he started out the game with a sack. Having the defense healthy going into the last stretch of games is crucial as the Steelers try and finish out the season strong.
Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Russell Wilson gets fired up during Week 14 game against the Browns
Steelers May Have Most Complete Team In A Few Seasons
In their last eight games, the Steelers have won seven. Sitting at 10-3 on top of the AFC North and more than likely making the playoffs, the Steelers have a great chance to make a deep run in the playoffs. Both sides of the ball, including special teams, are all playing extremely well.
Thankfully, injuries haven't set back the team too much to this point, either. Pittsburgh's offense also has gotten a boost with Wilson at quarterback. Wilson only threw for 158 yards, way less than his over 400-yard game against the Bengals, but he still made big plays and found the end zone twice to Pat Freiermuth and Van Jefferson.
The Steelers currently have over a 99% chance to make the playoffs after Week 14 and although slim, they had a 4% chance at the first seed before entering Week 14.
Do you think Porter had a bounce back game against the Browns? Let us know in the comments below!
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