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Todd Monken Pinpoints One Key Difference Between Browns’ Two Steelers Meetings
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- Todd Monken Pinpoints One Key Difference Between Browns’ Two Steelers Meetings
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson completed 27 of 39 passes for 324 yards, while tight end Harold Fannin Jr. led the team with 10 catches for 154 yards. The Browns still lost 27-6 to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 8.
Although the Browns won the first matchup against the Steelers, defensive gaps and an inability to stop explosive runs proved costly in the rematch. The coaching staff spent the week focusing on eliminating those defensive breakdowns.
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Defensive breakdowns overshadow quarterback Deshaun Watson in Pittsburgh loss
Todd Monken pointed to the plays that changed the rematch. He said Cleveland must stop the designed runs and limit the yardage that follows missed tackles.
Aug 27, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken is seen against the New England Patriots during the second half at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
"Explosive plays, schemed-up runs against the attack-style front, and we're certainly going to work to eliminate those…They broke a number of tackles once they got through the front line…And again, they were playing from ahead. And that's the difference, is we were ahead in that game, and they were ahead in this game." Camryn Justice reported Monken's comments after the game.
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Pittsburgh gained 200 net rushing yards, a season high for the Browns' defense. Jaylen Warren ran for 143 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries, while Rico Dowdle added 56 yards on 15 attempts.
Monken highlighted two plays that summed up the problem. Pittsburgh gained 51 yards on a third-and-long run, then added 23 yards on two trap plays before halftime. Those three runs accounted for 74 yards.
Cleveland's offense could not match the Steelers' ground production. The Browns finished with 34 net rushing yards, and Quinshon Judkins carried 11 times for 25 yards.
Watson produced his highest single-game passing total with Cleveland and passed for more than 300 yards for the second straight game. He did not throw a touchdown pass, and Pittsburgh sacked him eight times.
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Fannin provided the Browns' best offensive result. His 154 yards were a career high and the second-most in one game by a Browns tight end. His longest catch covered 37 yards.
Cleveland's defense recorded seven tackles for loss and one interception. Denzel Ward took the ball away from DK Metcalf, giving him three interceptions through eight games, which matches his career high for a season.
The loss moved Cleveland to 5-3, but the Browns remain 2-1 in the division after splitting the season series with Pittsburgh. The Steelers improved to 6-2 and moved into sole possession of the AFC North lead.
Cleveland will try to respond on the road against the New Orleans Saints on November 8 at 1 p.m. ET. The next game will test whether the Browns can correct the run-defense issues Monken identified.
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