The beginning of Sunday night’s super wild-card round playoff game against the Cleveland Browns could not be going worse for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers managed to turn the ball over to the Cleveland Browns twice in the first five minutes of the game.
The Steelers’ first offensive play of the game was a botched snap from center Maurkice Pouncey to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger that was recovered by Browns safety Karl Joseph for a touchdown.
Quite an effort by Roethlisberger and running back James Conner to recover that.
Roethlisberger was picked off by Browns cornerback M.J. Stewart on Pittsburgh’s ensuing drive.
The Browns, who barely practiced this week and are playing without their head coach Kevin Stefanski because of a COVID-19 outbreak, lead 14-0 with 9:46 left in the first quarter. Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield connected with wide receiver Jarvis Landry for Cleveland’s second score.
Special teams coach Mike Priefer is serving as Stefanski’s replacement Sunday night.
The Steelers are the team looking like they haven’t practiced all week.
