One of the things that makes sports great is rivalries, and that was on full display during the Thursday Night Football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers. The longtime rivals both entered the game at 2-1, playing for an early AFC North lead. It was the Browns who emerged victorious, 27-24.
Cleveland didn’t just celebrate its win — it reminded everyone that there’s real bad blood between the two teams. After the game, Browns linebacker Quincy Williams was asked if Thursday’s action was a little more chippy than usual, and he quickly responded yes before emphasizing, “They [the Steelers] be barking. We [the Browns] be biting.”
Williams wasn’t alone in calling out Pittsburgh. Edge defender Jared Verse delivered an even more scathing assessment of the Steelers’ competitive character, and made it clear that he can’t wait until the two teams meet again later in the season.
“They were talking crazy. I’m like, y’all double teaming, y’all sliding, y’all garbage. I was talking crazy to them. I don’t got no respect for anybody that plays too dirty, that does too much extra s— after the game, excuse my French. So, I can’t wait to see them again. It’s gonna be a good time when I see them again.”
Browns call out Steelers for being dirty and all talk
The fact that it was two newcomers saying this — Williams and Verse who both joined the Browns this offseason — speaks to the culture of the rivalry in Cleveland.
It also speaks to Cleveland’s new defensive identity. The Browns' defense has been good, but it now plays with a little more edge and the players are a bit more vocal because of guys like Verse and Williams.
The defense also has the right to talk, because not only did Cleveland win, but the defense absolutely dominated Pittsburgh for the majority of the game.
The Browns had five sacks, two interceptions, and limited the Steelers to 4-of-13 on third down. Additionally, Pittsburgh’s offensive line was already seen on film leaning on some illegal techniques, so it’s understandable why Verse would call the Steelers dirty.
Ultimately, this was already a tense rivalry, and the Browns are finding ways to raise the intensity. From taking care of business on the field, to calling out Pittsburgh after the game, Cleveland is sending a message that they are the superior team between the two.
The Browns already have the Week 8 matchup circled, and it’ll be interesting to see if the Steelers have a rebuttal.
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