Week 12’s Thursday Night Football game against the Cleveland Browns did not go well for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who lost 24-19. But after the game, Pittsburgh receiver George Pickens was in no mood to praise Cleveland.
It was a cold, snowy night in Cleveland. By the later portions of the second half, the field was covered in snow. So, it would be safe to say that the weather was a factor. Judging by his postgame comments, Pickens seemed to feel that the weather was the main factor.
While talking to reporters, Pickens was asked what the postgame message was in the locker room.
“Just keep grinding,” the receiver said. “Like I said, conditions played a huge, huge part in today’s game. I don’t really think the Cleveland Browns are a good team at all. I think the conditions kind of saved them today.”
“I don’t really think the Cleveland Browns are a good team at all. I think the conditions kind of saved them today.”
Steelers WR George Pickens after the Browns 24-19 victory.
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— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 22, 2024
Does Pickens have a point? Possibly. The Browns were a playoff team last year and probably are better — or at least more talented — than their record suggests. Still, it’s hard to call a 3-8 team good. Certainly, poor weather is often a neutralizing factor.
That said, other points have to be made.
First off, we can’t just ignore the final play of the game — Russell Wilson’s Hail Mary attempt. The play itself had very little drama, as no Steeler even made a serious attempt at the ball. Pickens, meanwhile, was locked in a battle with Cleveland defensive back Greg Newsome II. Even as the ball was in the air, Pickens was engaged with Newsome (who later called Pickens a “Fake tough guy“) in a tie-up that ultimately ended close to the wall behind the end zone.
The Browns hung on to beat the Steelers in the snow.
George Pickens got into it with Greg Newsome next to the stands in Cleveland as the game ended and was held back by security.
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— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 22, 2024
The Steelers will also get a chance to prove Pickens right when Pittsburgh hosts Cleveland in Week 14. Having said that, “conditions” can be a huge factor in that game, as well. December in Pittsburgh isn’t exactly a tropical climate. Why say “The conditions kind of saved them today” when there’s a looming rematch in two weeks that might have the same — or even worse — conditions?
None of that, of course, is to say that Pickens’ comments were incorrect. But even if the comments were accurate, they weren’t necessarily well-advised.
[Photo Credit: Alan Saunders on X/Screengrab]
