Thursday night’s game against the Cleveland Browns was tough to watch as a Steelers fan, but there’s no denying how stunning the snow-covered field made the game. A snow-covered field screams AFC North football and serves as a reminder that November and December football is here. It’s the kind of visual magic that makes snow games so captivating—except when the outcome stings.

After a big win against the Baltimore Ravens just a few days earlier, I knew this quick turnaround would be a challenge. Traveling to Cleveland on a short week to face a division rival is never easy, and history hasn’t been kind to the Steelers in these situations. Unfortunately, this game was no exception.

I’ve always had an issue with Thursday night games, but divisional matchups on a Thursday? That’s where I draw the line. These are some of the most critical games of the season, and playing them with so little time to recover and prepare just doesn’t feel right. The Steelers had only one real practice before this game, and it showed. Playing two NFL games in five days takes a massive toll on players’ bodies, leaving many not fully recovered or ready to compete. I’d rather see divisional opponents face off at close to full strength instead of limping in with little preparation. If it were up to me, all Thursday night games would be cross-conference matchups. That said, no one wants to hear excuses—myself included. At the end of the day, it’s the team’s job to find a way to win.

Before the season started, and even coming into this game, I had a bad feeling. Playing on a short week just days after facing the Ravens is hard enough, but add in terrible weather, and I knew it was going to be a messy affair. And messy it was. Looking at the stats, it’s hard to believe the Steelers didn’t come out on top. They won the time of possession battle, racked up more passing yards, and outpaced the Browns in rushing yards—they did more of everything. The Steelers didn’t play a terrible game. They started off slow but made a strong push in the fourth quarter. Even quarterback Russell Wilson finished the night 21/28 for 270 yards and a touchdown—not a bad performance inside a snow globe. But as we all know, the only stat that matters is the final score, and the Browns made the plays that counted when they mattered most.

Of all the stats, the one that stands out to me is fourth-down efficiency. The Steelers went 1-for-3, while the Browns were a perfect 4-for-4. I’ve always heard that good football teams end drives with successful kicks, whether it’s a field-flipping punt, a field goal, or an extra point. Failing to convert on fourth down feels like a turnover—just as costly as an interception or a fumble. Along with their fourth-down struggles, the Steelers had their share of other costly mistakes: a missed 58-yard field goal, a shanked punt that traveled only 15 yards, and a strip sack. Add it all up, and it’s as if they handed the Browns five turnovers. Cleveland didn’t dominate statistically, but they capitalized when it mattered most. To me, that was the difference in the game.

This loss stings, no doubt about it. As a fan, it’s frustrating to watch a game slip away that could have been won. But as much as it hurts, I don’t think this defines who the Steelers are or what this team is capable of. Throughout the season, they’ve shown they can win in different ways. Thursday night was just one of those bad days at the office we all hoped wouldn’t happen, but it’s not surprising given the circumstances and the history of Thursday night games.

The silver lining is that, for the most part, the issues we saw aren’t about talent—this team has shown the ability to play good football. I still believe in this group and am confident they’ll learn from this loss and come back stronger. Divisional losses are always tough to swallow, but there’s still plenty of football left to play, and the Steelers’ goals remain well within reach.

I’m putting this game behind me and looking ahead to what’s next. Steelers Nation, keep the faith—this team has what it takes. Let’s move forward and get ready for Cincinnati.

Continue to check out The Steel Curtain Network for Steelers news and updates.

Stay Positive and Stay Blesses…”Here We Go”