Gameday Newsletter: Week 14, Steelers

Another trip into the gates of hell to try for something unattainable two decades in the making.

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 5: Kelly Holcomb #10 of the Cleveland Browns walks off the field as the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Browns 36-33 during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game on January 5, 2003 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Trips to Pittsburgh are just plain miserable for the Cleveland football franchise. While the city itself is well worth a visit for fans, the city and stadium has ruined many Browns’ coaching tenures, seasons, and player health. It is a just plain miserable experience to play in that city and in that stadium. We have many memories to prove it.

But today we get a chance once again to see if the Browns can do something they have not accomplished since 2003 and something else they have not accomplished since 1988. Those are not fake dates and these are not some type of rare accomplishment that should make dates 20 and 30 years ago meaningful.

The Browns have not won a regular season game in Pittsburgh since October 5th, 2003 when they beat them 33-13 on Monday Night Football. If you could have told 15 year old me that was the last time they would do that for 20+ years I would have rolled my eyes and scoffed at you. Yet, here we are. These types of photos are our last memory.

(Photo - Getty)

Even worse is that the Browns have no swept a season series with the Steelers since the 1988 season. Yeah, I was not even on this earth yet. The next year, 1989, is the last time the Browns won the division — way back when it was the AFC Central and included the Houston Oilers. That is the type of history we are up against.

Much like 6-5 Michigan making their season by beating Ohio State last weekend, the pain of the Browns 3-9 could be alleviated somewhat by accomplishing the rare, and I mean rare in the most sincere form, feat of beating the Steelers in Pittsburgh and taking the season sweep. I know I would enjoy it very much. It would also help to keep that AFC North race between the Steelers and Ravens tight and help upend the Steelers road to the playoffs with some brutal games coming after this one.

There is plenty well worth playing for in this Week 14 matchup that has the Browns chasing ghosts and the Steelers chasing the division and playoffs. Here’s all the information you need for the game including a direct link to the Gameday Podcast.

CLEVELAND - DECEMBER 10: David Bowens #96 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates with fans after beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 13-6 on December 10, 2009 at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Looks like a great football weather game for the middle of December. Warm and sunny, with a bit of a breeze. Considering the time or year, this is an 8/10 weather day and should provide optimal passing weather for two teams who keep leaning into it.