Cleveland Browns: 5 best games of 2020
By Sam Penix
1. Week 17 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
A Week 17 thriller against the division rival Pittsburgh Steelers to decide the Browns postseason fate. What could be better than that? This was far from Cleveland’s most impressive one, but it was of course the most meaningful. The Steelers sat plenty of key veteran starters, and Mason Rudolph had success, and the playcalling and utilization of Nick Chubb was questionable, but the Browns found a way to win.
After practicing just once in the past week, the team looked a bit out of sync all game, but Mayfield and company made enough plays. It almost seemed as if the coaching staff was looking ahead to next week and keeping their hand close to their chest. 24-22 is closer than some may have liked, but Cleveland did enough in the end.
Maybe the team gets trounced in the wild card round. But that doesn’t negate what they’ve accomplished this season. 11-5 is a very good record in a normal year, but to do that in the pandemic season and with the number of good teams in the AFC? That’s extremely impressive. Kevin Stefanski should have locked up his Coach of the Year Award with this win.
dark. Next. Week 17 instant reactions
The Browns got it done. It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t a blowout, but they got the win. And in a game with so much at stake, that’s all that matters.