Eight games into his first season with Cleveland, former Rams defensive end Jared Verse is underperforming after the Browns swapped Myles Garrett for him in a trade that also yielded a 2027 first‑rounder, a 2028 second‑rounder and a 2029 third‑rounder. Verse has recorded no sacks, dropping from 5 pressures per game last year to just 1.6 this season, and critics say he lacks the move variety and agility that made Garrett elite. While the Browns aren’t likely to trade Verse, his fifth‑year option is in question if his production doesn’t improve, and his outspoken trash‑talk is drawing scrutiny from fans and analysts alike.
The Cleveland Browns’ two‑game winning streak ends with a 27‑6 defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers, a loss running back Quinshon Judkins blames on “self‑inflicted wounds” such as penalties and false starts. The Browns incur nine penalties for 85 yards, two fumbles (by Deshaun Watson and Harold Fannin Jr.), and struggle on third‑down (4‑13) and fourth‑down (0‑2) situations. Judkins manages only 25 yards on 11 carries. Cleveland sits 5‑3, ranking last in penalties per game (0.07) and 29th in points (17.4 per game). The team looks to rebound against the New Orleans Saints next Sunday.
With the NFL trade deadline looming, the Cleveland Browns’ Week 9 showdown against the New Orleans Saints could shape GM Andrew Berry’s next move. A 5-4 record may keep the roster stable, while a 6-3 win could push Berry to pursue edge help, especially after losing DE Alex Wright and questioning Jared Verse’s play. The Browns have eyed veteran pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney, who’s been a rotational DE for the struggling Texans, posting 4 QB hits, 2 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in 125 snaps. Houston may entertain offers for Clowney—likely a late‑round pick—if they’re forced into a sell‑off after a loss to the Chargers, making him a potential late‑deadline target for Cleveland.
In Week 8 against the Steelers, the Browns’ defense unraveled, missing 14‑16 tackles and surrendering four runs of 15+ yards—including a 51‑yard gain on 3rd‑and‑13. Interior linemen were spread too wide, allowing the run game to exploit gaps, while second‑ and third‑level players failed to stop ball carriers in the open field. Defensive line snap counts show Mason Graham (44 snaps, 3 tackles) and Jared Verse (41 snaps, 1 assist) providing limited impact, and linebacker Carson Schwesinger records 10 tackles but a dismal 30.5 PFF grade. Despite a strong showing from cornerback Denzel Ward (INT, 90.1 coverage grade), overall tackling grades are poor, prompting coach Todd Monken to call for scheme adjustments.
The Browns fell 27-6 to the Steelers in Week 8, as Deshaun Watson endured eight sacks and a 0‑3 red‑zone record. Watson threw for 324 yards on 27 of 39 attempts but lost a fumble and graded a low 47.5 by PFF. Cleveland’s ground game sputtered, with Dylan Sampson posting a 7‑yard carry and 62 receiving yards, while Quinshon Judkins managed just 25 rushing yards. Tight end Harold Fannin shone with 10 catches for 154 yards, the highest‑graded player at 76.4, but the offensive line couldn’t protect against Pittsburgh’s dominant front. The Browns now face a more favorable Saints defense next week.
The Steelers dominate the Browns 27-6 at Acrisure Stadium, a stark reversal after Jared Verse’s viral showdown with guard Mason McCormick. Verse, who previously called Pittsburgh’s linemen “dirty,” was body‑slammed by McCormick on an extra‑point attempt and later issued a humble apology, acknowledging his underestimation of the Steelers’ style. With the regular‑season rivalry settled, Cleveland now turns its attention to a Week 9 clash against the New Orleans Saints at the Caesars Superdome.
On Sunday the AFC North saw drama and shifting fortunes. The Cincinnati Bengals escaped a 43-36 overtime thriller against the Tennessee Titans, powered by Joe Burrow’s five TD passes (including a nine‑yard scramble) but haunted by three interceptions and a defense that again surrendered 36 points. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers surged to a 27-6 win over the Cleveland Browns, clinching sole first place in the division thanks to 160 rushing yards, eight sacks and a dominant secondary; T.J. Watt added two sacks and Patrick Queen recorded 10 tackles. In Buffalo, the Bills crushed the Baltimore Ravens 36-10 as Lamar Jackson left with a thumb injury, forcing the Ravens to rely on third‑string QB Joe Fagnano. The results leave the Bengals fighting for playoff positioning, the Steelers atop the North, and the Ravens slipping to 4‑4.
The Cleveland Browns fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, extending their recent woes and leaving them scrambling to recover. Despite the 5-3 record, the loss—marked by a sluggish start and missed opportunities—threatens their momentum heading into a crucial pre‑bye stretch with two winnable games remaining. The article previews Week 9 odds against the Saints, discusses potential impacts of New Orleans' coaching change, and highlights draft talk and AFC North standings as the Browns fight to stay in playoff contention.
The Ravens may put second‑year kicker Tyler Loop on injured reserve before Thursday’s game against Jacksonville, coach Jesse Minter said his groin issue has worsened. Loop, a 2025 sixth‑round pick, has missed two of his last three kicks, including a 34‑yard miss versus the Bills and a crucial 49‑yard miss in a 13‑10 loss to the Browns. Practice‑squad veteran Jake Moody, re‑signed two weeks ago, will take over kicking duties and could earn the job for the rest of the season. If Loop lands on IR, he won’t return until after the Week 13 bye.
Buccaneers edge defender Rueben Bain Jr. was one of the NFL's top first-round rookies in Week 8, while Browns tackle Spencer Fano had a tough day.
Browns head coach Todd Monken explains why his team fell short in the second showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers, highlighting the Steelers’ explosive plays and schemed runs that broke through Cleveland’s front line. After trailing 20-6 at halftime, the Browns managed only field goals, with Deshaun Watson throwing 324 yards yet no touchdowns. Wideout Harold Fannin Jr. led with 10 catches for 154 yards, while the ground game sputtered. Monken remains optimistic as the playoff‑bound Browns head to New Orleans for a Week 9 clash on Nov. 8.
After a 27-6 win over the Browns, the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) surge to first place in the AFC North. First‑year head coach Mike McCarthy and veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers—who’s on pace with 1,871 yards, 13 TDs and 6 INTs—are steering the team toward a deep playoff run. running back Jaylen Warren shines with 704 yards and 7 touchdowns, while tight ends Darnell Washington and Pat Freiermuth provide a potent passing threat. The defense, anchored by T.J. Watt’s 7.5 sacks, ranks fourth in points allowed (18.0) and sixth in yards. With a bye week before a showdown at Cincinnati, the Steelers look like a genuine Super Bowl contender, though they must prove themselves against AFC powerhouses.
In this week’s "Forgotten Plays" column, the Steelers Depot spotlights a low‑key moment that swung the November 3, 2026 Steelers‑Browns matchup in Pittsburgh’s favor. While the game’s headline‑making touchdowns and turnovers dominate the recap, the author reveals a subtle, often‑overlooked play—its timing, the involved players, and how it shifted momentum and contributed to the Steelers’ victory over Cleveland.
Even in a 27-6 defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. shines with a career‑high 154 receiving yards on 10 catches. Fannin praised rookie WRs KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston, saying their explosiveness opened more check‑down opportunities for him. His 154 yards rank as the second‑most ever by a Browns tight end in a game, though Cleveland’s offense managed no touchdowns, leaving the team at 5-3. The Browns now shift focus to their next challenge against the New Orleans Saints.
Darnell Washington recorded a career-high 94 receiving yards in the Steelers' 27-6 win over the Browns on Sunday afternoon at Acrisure Stadium. Two of his three catches produced 82 of those yards, both on the same exact play.
In the Nov. 2 "Depot After Dark" roundup, Steelers fans spotlight running back Jaylen Warren’s clutch performances, while former Steelers standout Brandon Highsmith rallies behind Washington’s playoff push. The segment also notes quarterback Kenny Hoffman's playful jabs at the Browns. The brief digest highlights Warren’s mission‑driven season, Highsmith’s enthusiasm for the Commanders, and Hoffman's light‑hearted trash talk, offering quick, tweet‑sized updates for Steelers fans.
Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. gives an upbeat health update, saying a return after the bye week is “great” despite being on IR with plantar‑fasciitis. Pittman, who entered the Steelers via trade, has logged just seven catches for 89 yards this season after landing on IR in week five. Pittsburgh just beat the Browns 27‑6, moving to 5‑2 and tying the Broncos and Bills for the AFC’s only six‑win teams. The win featured 200 rushing yards, highlighted by Jaylen Warren’s 143 yards, while Aaron Rodgers threw for 172 yards. Pittman’s potential Week 10 return could boost the offense moving forward.
Latest news on Myles Garret's injury, return date, & more.
In the latest Steelers Afternoon Drive podcast, hosts Alan Saunders and Zachary Smith break down the Steelers' recent victory over the Cleveland Browns, examining how the win could shape the team’s trade‑deadline strategy. They assess the sustainability of Pittsburgh’s run defense and rushing attack, highlighting standout performances and potential roster moves ahead of the November 12 deadline.
The Los Angeles Rams have opened the practice window for veteran defensive end Myles Garrett, report Tom Pelissero. The 30‑year‑old, a former 2017 Browns first‑round pick, is in the second year of his $160 million, four‑year extension after a $125 million deal the previous season. Garrett, who logged 23 sacks and 60 tackles in 2025, was acquired by the Rams in a blockbuster trade that also sent two first‑round picks and DE Jared Verse to Cleveland. Further details are pending.
The AFC roundup notes that Bengals DT DJ Turner is day‑to‑day with a heel injury but may suit up in Week 9, while DE Cedric Johnson is also a game‑time possibility. Browns DE Jared Verse fires back at the Steelers after a lackluster performance, maintaining his trash‑talk despite a modest stat line, and Cleveland remains hesitant to move WR Jerry Jeudy amid a 5‑2 record. The Steelers are rumored to chase a receiver, though they may balk at market price, and WR Michael Pittman Jr. battles a lingering foot injury that could see him back after the bye. Meanwhile, WR Germie Bernard brushes off the trade chatter, staying focused on the field.
Sean McVay confirms that edge rusher Myles Garrett will resume practice this week, opening his 21‑day window to return to the active roster before a potential IR move. The former Browns star missed all of L.A.’s season to date after a Week 1 knee injury against the 49ers. Tight end Terrance Ferguson also looks set to return. The Rams, who traded a first‑round pick and Jared Verse for Garrett, hope his debut comes soon, possibly before the upcoming game versus Washington.
Monday’s NFL roster moves see the Texans reshuffle the backfield, releasing Deuce Vaughn and adding DT Naquan Jones from the 49ers’ practice squad along with RB Josh Pitsenberger. The Giants drop NT Josh Tupou and bring in RB Eric Gray, while the Ravens swap RB Lucas Scott for QB Austin Reed on their practice squad. Notable releases include the Falcons cutting LB Drake Jackson and the Patriots waiving DB Elliott Davison. Several teams also elevate players from practice squads, such as the Seahawks promoting WR Montorie Foster and T Bobby Hart.
The Steelers rebound with a decisive Week 8 victory over the Browns, reversing an earlier loss and seizing first place in the AFC North. Former NFL safety (name omitted) questions whether Pittsburgh can hold the division crown, especially as Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson faces a season‑ending injury. The article examines the Steelers' performance, key plays, and the impact of Baltimore's quarterback uncertainty on the AFC North race.
Julian Edelman praises the Steelers' ground attack, calling it the best offense they've had since Ben Roethlisberger retired. Riding a four‑game winning streak and a dominant victory over the Browns, Pittsburgh’s rushing game is delivering consistent positives, according to the former NFL wide receiver. Edelman highlights key contributors and explains how the fresh ground focus is reshaping the team’s identity and boosting its playoff prospects.