CLEVELAND — The Pittsburgh Steelers were 24-19 losers to the Cleveland Browns on Thursday, but if you ask Steelers wide receiver George Pickens, he doesn’t think the Browns had much to do with it. Pickens blamed the conditions and the officials for the Steelers’ setback, their fifth loss in the last seven in Cleveland.
“The conditions were so bad,” Pickens said when asked about a third-quarter missed connection between him and Russell Wilson. “I don’t even think the QB could see sometimes. When you’ve got conditions like that at the opponent’s home field, it kinda plays in their favor. …
“The 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 kinda saved them today.”
The game was started in clear conditions, but a lake effect snow squall settled over the stadium in the second half, turning the divisional showdown into a winter wonderland. The Steelers were trailing, 10-6 in the third quarter, when the snowflakes really started to fly.
Pickens said it was hard for the team’s quarterbacks to throw the ball as the team was attempting to come from behind.
“It’s not really such as a receiver, it’s when the Q doesn’t feel comfortable,” he said. “It’s really the conditions. That played a huge factor in today’s game.”
Pickens also thought the officials favored the home team. He came up looking for a call on an incomplete third down pass from Justin Fields in the fourth quarter that could have sealed a win for the Steelers.
“That’s what I’m saying,” he said. “The conditions and away game refs.”
Pickens finished with four catches on seven targets for 48 yards. The Steelers out-gained the Browns, 152-119 in the sloppy, back-and-forth game.
His post-game comments will certainly come up in the coming weeks. The Steelers and Browns will meet again in Pittsburgh in two weeks on Dec. 8.