Cleveland Browns drop another one to Steelers, 30-9

Nov 15, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) throws a pass under pressure from Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward (97) during the first half at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Say what you will about the Cleveland Browns, but they never fail to disappoint.

Especially when they travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers.

The Browns fell to 1-15 all-time at Heinz Field on Sunday, dropping a 30-9 decision to the Steelers.

The game turned on Pittsburgh’s second possession of the game when quarterback Landry Jones was knocked out with an ankle injury. With Jones riding a cart into the locker room, Ben Roethlisberger came off the bench and had no trouble running his career record against the Browns to 19-2.

The Steelers built a 21-3 halftime lead as Roethlisberger hit Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant with touchdown passes against a Browns defense that continues to have no answers when facing Roethlisberger, who finished with 379 passing yards – the most by a quarterback coming off the bench since 1950.

The Browns were done in by the usual litany of woes, including:

• Penalties, of which the Browns had 12 for 188 yards.
• Turnovers, of which the Browns had three – two fumbles and an interception.
• Sacks, of which the Browns gave up six.
• Three-and-outs, of which the Browns only had one, but they did have four series that were three plays or less.

As the CBS broadcast helpfully pointed out during the game, the Browns now lead the NFL in fumbles, sacks, three-and-outs and delay of games.

And who said the Browns can’t be at the top of the league in anything?

On the bright side, as far as those things go, quarterback Johnny Manziel did his part to show that the Browns problems extend far beyond who lines up behind center.

Manziel finished the day 33-of-45 for 372 yards and a seven-yard touchdown pass to tight end Gary Barnidge.

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He was also the team’s leading rusher, albeit with just 17 yards, as the Browns were completely ineffective in the run game. Duke Johnson ran four times for 10 yards, Isaiah Crowell rushed six times for minus-five yards and Travis Benjamin had a run for minus-seven yards.

The only thing that Manziel did not do was get the Browns into the end zone more than once, which has been an ongoing theme when he has played this season. In his three starts, plus the game against the New York Jets when he played all but one series, the Browns offense has averaged just 12.5 points per game with Manziel running the show.

But Manziel, just like Josh McCown, did just about everything he could and it was still not enough. Because, especially against the Steelers, it never is.

Too many mistakes, not enough playmakers, no pass rush, not enough points – if this was the only Browns game you’ve watched all season you would have walked away knowing everything you need to know about why this team is now 2-8 and has lost 13 of its last 15 games.

And least we know the Browns won’t lose next Sunday.