The ‘Snow Globe’ game.
The 2-8 Cleveland Browns went into their Week 12 Thursday Night Football (TNF) match against the Pittsburgh Steelers as underdogs.
Meanwhile, the 8-2 Steelers were once again looking to secure another winning season under Mike Tomlin.
The weather forecast for the game predicted snow and wind – ‘football weather’.
On paper perfect conditions for a Steelers team that boasted one of the NFL’s best rushing attacks and run defenses. A team that won a game without scoring a single touchdown the week prior.
Yet the Browns were still able to pull off the upset inside the ‘Snow Globe’ as they beat the Steelers 24-19 behind a monster performance from the reigning Defensive Player of the Year – Myles Garrett.
Not all wins created equal
No win tastes sweeter for Browns fans than a victory over their rivals, Pittsburgh. As Jameis Winston put it: “I don’t become a Brown until we beat the Steelers.”
This game just means more.
The hatred behind the phrase ‘Beat Pittsburgh’ runs deep through Browns fans veins. If the team was to only win two games in any given season, then those two wins better come against the Steelers.
The American Football Conferences’ oldest rivalry game is one of the best in football. A rivalry that was dominated by the Steelers since the Browns resumed operations in 1999.
Yet after their victory on TNF, the Browns have now won 2 consecutive regular season games against the Steelers for the first time since 2000.
The happiest 3-8 football team in the NFL?
The Cleveland Browns 2024 season has been one full of disappointment.
Bad losses, quarterback controversy and a team that has massively underachieved the goals it set out for itself. Their season is essentially over.
Yet for twice a year every season, it does not matter what the teams record is. The only thing that matters to everyone associated within the organisation during Steelers week is beating their oldest rival.
For one week at least – technically 10 days – Browns fans have something to smile about.
Amidst a season that has been plagued by disappointment, the Browns’ Week 12 win over the Steelers provides a glimmer of light through an otherwise dark season.
