Cleveland Browns: Grades from the bizarre defeat in Pittsburgh

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Jan 1, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cleveland Browns inside linebacker Christian Kirksey (58) defends Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Eli Rogers (17) after a catch in overtime at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 27-24 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Linebackers: D

Christian Kirksey, Jamie Collins, and Demario Davis led the Browns in tackles Sunday combining for 29. This shows improvement for the defense as a whole, as the secondary is no longer making virtually every tackle.

But much like the defensive line, the linebackers played extremely inconsistently. Coming up with two sacks early on, and key tackles on running backs in short-yard situations, the group was rolling. But as the game went on, the linebackers slowly fell into the same traps as past weeks.

Unable to stop running backs who slipped out of the backfield in the passing game, this unit’s lapse helped lead to the game-tying drive after a demoralizing Cleveland fumble.

One way the linebackers did help was by surprisingly limiting the tight end position for the most part. But when it counted, Jesse James tied the game with a touchdown. Also, on fourth down in overtime, Eli Rogers caught the pass which prevented Cleveland from getting the walk-off stop. Incidentally, Kirksey was in coverage.

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