The Cleveland Browns took a beating on Monday night in Pittsburgh. In addition to losing the game against their longtime AFC North Division rival, the Browns suffered the loss of one of the best runningbacks in the League. Nick Chubb suffered a knee injury too gruesome to replay on television and the talented but often injured Browns runner is shelved for the year.
Then there was the game for the Browns, who came into the contest off a satisfying opening week victory over the talented Cincinnati Bengals, 24-3, and were looking to hand the home team a second straight loss to open the 2023 season. The Steelers were clobbered on opening day by the visiting San Francisco 49ers, 30-7.
So, what did we have here on Monday night?
We had a Browns team off a huge win playing a Steelers squad following a lopsided defeat. In the world of motivation, this arms the Steelers with all the weapons.
How did that work out?
Well, the Browns defense overcame the motivational hole with a huge effort, limiting Mike Tomlin’s squad to 55 rushing yards, nearly one fourth of the 198 Cleveland gained on the ground. The Browns had 20 first downs, the Steelers only nine. Cleveland also passed for more yards and possessed the ball more than ten minutes longer than the home team.
So, why didn’t the Browns win the game?
Did I tell you about motivation? One of the more intriguing elements of the game that I have noticed over my years in the business, is that motivated teams don’t have to gain as many yards as their opponent to win the game.
Why’s that?
Because motivated teams make the key plays that decide a contest. They will stuff third down or even fourth down plays short of first down gains. They are quicker to the ball when one gets fumbled on the field and overall have the eye of the tiger desperation that often will compensate for any discrepancies in simply yards gained and allowed. On Monday night, the Browns defense was great, but the Steelers defense twice scored touchdowns on an interception and fumble. Those plays made all the difference, and those kinds of game turning events are consistently gained by the team with motivation on their side.
Of course the Steelers were the more motivated team on Monday night, they were looking to avoid an oh and two start in a highly competitive AFC North Division. A loss would have put them two games back of the division leading Browns and Baltimore Ravens with a pair of losses on their home field including one to a division opponent.
Compare that to the driving force behind the Browns, who were looking to stay tied for first place in the division with John Harbaugh’s team and bury the Steelers with a two game lead over both Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.
It was a want situation for the Browns, and a need spot for the Steelers. Need over want every time.
Now the Browns return home without their star runningback and off a loss that replaces confidence with concern in the Browns locker room. Here comes the Tennessee Titans, fresh off their overtime win against the Los Angeles Chargers and holding a share of first place in the AFC South Division with one win and one loss on the young campaign.
Now who has the eye of the tiger?
The Browns were talented enough to out stat the Steelers on Monday night, but not good enough to avoid a huge motivational disadvantage. On Sunday, they take all that talent into their battle with the Titans and have the most important factor on their side … motivation.
Qoxhi Picks: Cleveland Browns (-3) over Tennessee Titans