'It's a huge game': Cleveland Browns try to turn frustration into motivation for Steelers

Browns All-Pro left tackle Joel Bitonio realized the danger of letting Sunday’s historic collapse against the New York Jets linger.

But the four-time Pro Bowler and longest-tenured Brown didn’t downplay the importance of Thursday night’s nationally televised clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium.

“It’s a huge game for us,” Bitonio said on Zoom Monday. “[The] Steelers are always a huge game and for us we want to get that bad taste out of our mouths. We didn’t finish the way we wanted to this week, so it’s big in that aspect.

“Making it more than one game, though, is a little bit premature. We want to win because it’s our next game, our next opponent, we want to get [rid of] a bad taste, we never want to lose two in a row, regardless. So it’s big in those aspects.”

With a series of gaffes in the final 1:55, the Browns blew a 13-point lead and fell 31-30 to the Jets. For the second consecutive week, Cleveland’s defense was plagued by miscommunication errors that led to big plays. Rookie kicker Cade York, a folk hero seven days before, missed an extra point. Nick Chubb scored instead of running out of bounds near the goal line, which would have allowed the Browns to kneel three times and win. The Jets recovered an onside kick and 37-year-old quarterback Joe Flacco threw two touchdown passes in the final 1:22.

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But all four teams in the AFC North lost Sunday, leaving the Browns, Ravens and Steelers tied at 1-1 and the defending AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals 0-2. The Steelers are coming off a 17-14 home loss to the New England Patriots.

The Steelers will be without three-time All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt, sidelined at least another month with a torn pectoral. The Steelers defense is still loaded with talent, but is averaging 404.0 yards allowed, tied for fifth-worst in the league entering Monday night. The Browns are allowing 331.5.

Pittsburgh quarterback Mitch Trubisky, the Mentor High School product who is replacing the retired Ben Roethlisberger, ranks 28th in the league in quarterback rating (76.1) and is averaging 181.0 passing yards. He’s thrown for two touchdowns with one interception.

“With or without him they’re a great defense, so we have our hands full,” Browns tight end David Njoku said of Watt on Zoom Monday. “It will be a fun game Thursday night, obviously a big rivalry team. We’ve got to follow what we’ve got to do, follow our instincts and everything and we’ll be OK.”

Bitonio hadn’t watched much of the Steelers when he spoke.

“From what I can tell, from the couple drives I’ve put together, their defense is still playing at a really high level,” Bitonio said. “T.J. Watt is obviously a big piece, but they still have some really, really good players on their defense and it will be a big challenge for us.”

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Just as big a challenge is putting aside the loss to the Jets.

“I try to tell people it’s a long season,” Bitonio said. “It’s disappointing. You’re allowed to be frustrated, you’re allowed to want to be angry about the situation and try and learn from it.

“We have a 17-game season and one game can matter in the end. But, right now, we can’t let one turn into two, and that’s pretty much the message. I think that was the message from coach [Kevin] Stefanski as well. I think the guys are locked in this week and obviously are competitive dudes and want to improve and try to get a win.”

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It’s possible the Browns can channel those emotions into the determination they need to rebound.

“Just have to use that as fire and come back focused this next week, fix those corrections and try to find a way to get a win,” Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward said Monday.

Cornerback Greg Newsome II and free safety John Johnson III weren’t sure if the short week would be a positive or a negative.

“I think it's both,” Newsome said Sunday. “We have this horrible taste in our mouth right now, obviously. But we get another chance Thursday to go out there and show what we can do.”

Johnson waffled on that.

“I think we have to make it a blessing,” Johnson said. “Got a short week to prepare. Hopefully our bodies are intact ... That’s a division game. It’s going to be tough.”

Stefanski announced Monday that defensive ends Jadeveon Clowney (ankle) and Chase Winovich (hamstring) and tight Jesse James (bicep) suffered injuries against the Jets that would keep them out against the Steelers.

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Browns quarterback Jacoby Brissett was among those who consider the quick turnaround a blessing in disguise.

“I definitely think it will help because we have no time to feel sorry for ourselves,” Brissett said Sunday. “I think we understand that we have a big task coming in on Thursday. If we spend anytime dwelling on this, that will be a disservice for us on Thursday.”

Two-time All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett vowed to follow the 24-hour rule.

“After that, you just let it roll off your back like water. Those things hurt, it stings but you’ve got to use it as motivation for the next one,” Garrett said Sunday. “You don't want that taste in your mouth with an ‘L’ like this one. Fortunately enough for us, we get to have a short week and go against a division rival. If we go and get them, this one will be a distant memory.”

Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MRidenourABJ.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns try to turn Jets loss into a positive versus Steelers