The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing for another AFC North battle coming off a tough-earned victory over the Baltimore Ravens. Unfortunately, the recovery period will be short-lived as Pittsburgh will travel to Cleveland for a Thursday Night Football game against the Browns. Though the Browns are 2-8, the Steelers under head coach Mike Tomlin have an underwhelming record on Thursday Night Football road games.
In general, road teams are already at a disadvantage on Thursday night games. It’s already a short week and they have to sometimes cut practices short to travel on Wednesdays. Tomlin and the Steelers since he took over as head coach have a poor 1-7 record on these Thursday night road games. The one win? Thanksgiving in 2016 over the Indianapolis Colts. Three of those also came against Cleveland – most recently in 2022. Dating back to 1980, the Steelers have played seven road Thursday night games against divisional opponents, and they’re 0-7 in those contests.
Pittsburgh is in control of the AFC North after defeating Baltimore. However, with their remaining five divisional games, a trip to Philadelphia, and Christmas Day game against the Kansas City Chiefs all still remaining, the Steelers have little room for error; especially if they want a higher seeding.
This has been a season that has seen the Steelers continue their dominance on Monday Night Football while also seeing some improbable victories. They will have to face their Thursday Night Football demons and secure a victory against a clearly inferior team.
Cleveland, after being considered an offseason favorite to make the postseason, has endured a less than ideal season. Prior to his season ending injury, quarterback Deshaun Watson was playing as awful as ever. They lost their inside linebacker whose career is now in jeopardy. Additionally, they may be without three of their top offensive tackles.
The lone bright spots for the Browns have been the return of Nick Chubb and the exciting, but sometimes reckless, playing of quarterback Jameis Winston. The Steelers will play against a team that really has nothing to lose. A division rival, with nothing to lose, in a stadium you have won at once since 2018, and scheduled on a short week.
It’s a challenge that a contender should be able to rise to. Pittsburgh can continue to answer questions or raise them on Thursday night.
STEELERS ON THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Dec. 7, 2023, 21-18 L vs. New England Patriots
Nov. 2, 2023, 20-16 W vs. Tennessee Titans
Sept. 22, 2022, 29-17 L at Cleveland Browns
Dec. 9, 2021, 36-28 L at Minnesota Vikings
Nov. 14, 2019, 21-7 L at Cleveland Browns
Nov 8, 2018, 52-21 W vs. Carolina Panthers
Nov. 16, 2017, 40-17 W vs. Tennessee Titans
Nov. 24, 2016, 28-7 W at Indianapolis Colts
Oct. 1, 2015, 23-20 L vs. Baltimore Ravens (OT)
Sept. 10, 2015, 28-21 L at New England Patriots
Sept. 11, 2014, 26-6 L at Baltimore Ravens
Nov. 28, 2013, 22-20 L at Baltimore Ravens
Oct. 11, 2012, 26-23 L at Tennesse Titans
Dec. 8, 2011, 14-3 W vs. Cleveland Browns
Dec. 23, 2010, 27-3 W vs. Carolina Panthers
Dec. 10, 2009, 13-6 L at Cleveland Browns
Sept. 10, 2009, 13-10 W vs. Tennessee Titans (OT)
Nov. 20, 2008, 27-10 W vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Dec. 20, 2007, 41-24 W at St. Louis Rams
Dec. 7, 2006, 27-7 W vs. Cleveland Browns
Sept. 7, 2006, 28-17 W vs. Miami Dolphins
Dec. 2, 1999, 20-6 L at Jacksonville Jaguars
Oct. 19, 1995, 27-9 L vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Sept. 6, 1984, 23-17 W at New York Jets
Sept. 10, 1981, 30-10 L at Miami Dolphins
Dec. 4, 1980, 6-0 L at Houston Oilers