The Cleveland Browns were outmatched in virtually every aspect of the game in a week 6 loss in Pittsburgh to the Steelers. The final score was 23-9.
I usually try to find some bright spots to talk about and some highlights to include, but there were quite literally no highlights worthy of a mention for Cleveland. We didn’t even score a touchdown. We didn’t force any sort of great turnover defensively, or make a spectacular special teams return.
In fact, when looking for a Browns highlight, this was the one video I kept coming across that sums up the Browns’ season so far:
Yes, this really happened. No, it’s not just your dreams. Sorry, #Browns fans…. pic.twitter.com/gc9UMvVeGl
Story continues below advertisement— Cleveland Sports Talk (@CLEsportsTalk) October 12, 2025
The receiver wasn’t even looking for the football. There is no chemistry on this offense, and frankly, there isn’t much chemistry to this team. Every Sunday they just look sloppy.
I saw somebody online that said, “If it weren’t for the offense, defense, special teams, and coaching, the Browns could’ve won.” Unfortunately, I’ll have to agree.
However, in my opinion, it was mostly the offense’s fault. Kicker Andre Szmyt did everything asked of him, making all field goals including a 53-yarder. The defense even played alright. They held the Steelers to only 9 points in the first half, despite giving up 14 in the second half.
It is hard for the defense to hold up all game long when the offense just isn’t giving them any help or relief. The Browns’ offense looked incredibly incompetent in this one.
Rookie Dillon Gabriel simply lacks the downfield accuracy that an offense needs. There were a few drops by receivers, which has been a problem all season long, but overall, Gabriel’s accuracy was abysmal. He went 29/52, which, when compared with Browns’ former QB Baker Mayfield (17/23 this week) is just sad. Baker threw for more yards on 12 fewer completions as well.
I could go on and on about how horrible the Baker Mayfield decision was, but there isn’t anything to be done about that now. All we can do is be happy that he’s thriving down in Tampa Bay and not think about how Cleveland let go of the best QB we’ve had in decades.
But it wasn’t just Gabriel that played poorly. The offensive line allowed six sacks. Rookie RB Quinshon Judkins put up only 36 yards on the ground. Multiple receivers had drops. It was just an all-around terrible performance.
There has been plenty of speculation about putting in rookie Shedeur Sanders, and to be honest, I am all aboard, if Gabriel cannot prove himself soon. I personally thought Sanders looked great in the preseason. He looked sharp and confident in the pocket, while Gabriel has been looking somewhat panicked in the face of pressure. And Sanders’ downfield throws certainly looked better in preseason than Gabriel’s at the moment.
However, I also understand that sometimes it takes more than two games to really find a groove in an offense. So, I’d be okay with riding with Gabriel for a little longer to see if he starts to pan out. The Browns have two more games until the bye week. Both games are AFC East matchups against the Dolphins and the Patriots. Both games are definitely winnable.
So, this might be unpopular, but I would give Gabriel a couple more chances to prove himself. If he plays against the Fins and the Pats like he just did Sunday, then I say put in Shedeur. But Gabriel deserves at least a couple more chances.
Another thing to consider is trading for a wide receiver. I think Jerry Jeudy has made it completely clear that he is not WR1-caliber. He was a serviceable WR2 in Denver behind Courtland Sutton, but here in Cleveland he is not holding up his place as the top dog.
A trade for Tee Higgins from the Bengals, for instance, would help this offense immensely. Other possibilities could include A.J. Brown (who has expressed discontent with his current role in Philadelphia) or maybe even Nico Collins (although I doubt the Texans would be willing to part with him).
But one thing is for certain: something needs to change. The Browns are 1-5. It isn’t working. These next two games are certainly winnable. If Gabriel has that dawg in him, now is the time to let it out.