Browns Loss to Steelers Was a Brutal Reality Check

The Cleveland Browns entered their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday ready to sweep the season series from their AFC North Rival.

But when the team walked off the field after the game was over, there was a strong sense of frustration all around. Cleveland fell to the Steelers by a score of 27-6, with the game feeling out of control early on.

The Browns offense couldn't much get of anything going against the physical Steelers attack, while the defense couldn't get stops. Cleveland allowed 200 yards on the ground to Pittsburgh, while only managing to rush for 34 yards themselves.

Overall, it was just a bad game for the Browns, dropping their record to 5-3 on the season so far. But this performance against the Steelers felt like a reality check for this team after a strong start to the year.

The Steelers wanted this game more than Cleveland, with the idea of them getting some revenge from an earlier season loss. And the Browns weren't prepared enough to handle what Pittsburgh threw at them from the opening kick.

Heading into the game, Browns defensive end Jared Verse was a subject for the Steelers, following the stars comments earlier in the year. After the Browns beat Pittsburgh on Thursday Night Football a few weeks ago, Verse called the Steelers' offensive lineman "dirty".

Pittsburgh took aim at them, and after the win, the Steelers made sure to call out Verse. Steelers safety Jaquan Brisker said that Verse should have kept his mouth shut before calling him out for not playing well in the game at all.

The performance from Verse was one to forget, with the pass-rusher posting one assisted tackle and one quarterback hit. But it was a quiet game all around for the Browns defensive star, despite his words coming into the game.

Cleveland will head back to the drawing board, looking to bounce back next week. But losing a divisional game is tough, especially in this manner.

The Browns will be heading out on the road again this week, taking on the New Orleans Saints in a game that could help the team get back on track.

For this team, a win over the Saints could see the Steelers' loss as just a blip on the year, but another dropped game could see this team's strong start be taken away just like that.