The Cleveland Browns may have kept the Baltimore Ravens’ season alive, but they weren’t looking for thanks.
With the Browns upsetting the Steelers in Week 17 with a 13-6 victory, the Ravens’ playoff hopes are still alive. Baltimore and Pittsburgh will face off in the Week 18 regular-season finale for the AFC North crown and a playoff berth.
After Cleveland’s win, the Ravens gave the Browns a shoutout on social media.
“PERFECT TIMING. S/O Browns,” the post read, with a photo of Ravens defender Kyle Hamilton doing Shedeur Sanders’ patented celebration.
The Browns were not big fans of the shoutout, firing back.
“Don’t think we did this for you,” the Browns’ account responded.
A win over a division rival is rarely something to lament, particularly when it carries playoff implications. For the Browns, though, the victory came with a tradeoff. With the postseason no longer in reach, draft positioning looms as the primary focus down the stretch.
Cleveland improved to 4-12 with the win, but slid to No. 6 in the draft order as a result. The Browns are now locked out of the top overall pick and hold a 56% chance of landing inside the top five, according to ESPN.
Browns Proud of ‘Fight’ Against Steelers
The Browns players could have easily mailed it in for the matchup. But Cleveland fought — particularly on the defensive side of the ball — to secure the victory.
“Love how this football team fights. Love that we get to even that season-series versus a division rival, get to do it in front of our fans. So I’m just extremely grateful for that group in there, how hard they play for 60 minutes,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. “That’s what they do at practice, shows up in games. So plenty to clean up like there always is. But to beat a good football team says a lot about that locker room. So I’m proud of those guys.”
While the postseason is out of reach, there is still plenty at stake inside the Browns’ building. Stefanski is effectively coaching for his job, Sanders is auditioning for a long-term role as the franchise quarterback, and numerous players are fighting to secure their futures. Despite the circumstances, Stefanski said there was never any doubt his team would respond.
“It’s just our DNA,” Stefanski said. “They love playing together. They love playing next to, you know, their brothers, and that’s just what we’re about.”
Steelers Keep Browns Star Myles Garrett From Getting Record
The Steelers were able to keep Browns superstar pass-rusher Myles Garrett from registering a record-setting sack on Sunday. But his impact on the Steelers’ game plan was clear.
“To an extent, I feel like they were more worried about keeping me away from Aaron (Rodgers) than, you know, getting the win, and I think that’s what came back to bite them,” Garrett said. “They’ll have to fight it out with Baltimore next week, but I’m just proud of the guys for fighting and getting this win. That’s the main thing, and I’m always gonna keep it that.”
Garrett has 22 sacks and will have one more chance to set the record (22.5) next week against the Cincinnati Bengals.
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