The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading into the final week of the 2025 regular season with a big game against the Baltimore Ravens on the schedule for Sunday Night Football. The game is essentially a playoff matchup as the winner of the contest will win the AFC North and host a postseason game, while the loser's season will come to a close. The Steelers should have already wrapped up the division, but the team fell to the Cleveland Browns in Week 17 in what was one of the worst offensive performances of the season for Pittsburgh.
Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks to throw during Pittsburgh's 13-6 loss against the Cleveland Browns..
One of the major storylines entering the game against Cleveland was Myles Garrett and the fact that he needed just one sack to break the NFL single-season record. Pittsburgh did not allow him to break the record against them, but some fans have criticized the Steelers as it seemed the offense was more worried about that, rather than scoring points. Browns defensive tackle Shelby Harris spoke about the matchup during the most recent episode of his podcast We're The Harrises.
"The offense, the way they set it up, they were trying to get rid of the ball," Harris said. "The O-line the whole game was saying, 'You're not going to get it on me.' You didn't take this game seriously because you were more worried about a record. They did not go into that game with a real game plan on trying to win. The stats show it. The quickest the ball has been thrown by Aaron Rodgers this whole year, by far. It wasn't even any attempt at developing routes down the field. It was just hike, throw it or run the ball. If you ask me, it was a complete failure for the Pittsburgh Steelers."
Harris called the game a complete failure, and he accused Pittsburgh of not taking the game seriously. While the game was certainly a failure for the Steelers, saying the team did not take the game seriously is a bit ridiculous. Pittsburgh would have clinched a playoff spot had the team won the game, so the Steelers had every reason to treat the contest seriously.
Sue Ogrocki / AP photo
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) laughs at NFL football minicamp in Berea, Ohio, Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
The Steelers squandered an opportunity by not taking advantage of being matched up with one of the worst teams in the NFL, and that is fine to say. Head Coach Mike Tomlin certainly prepared his team properly due to the stakes going into this game, and Harris should be able to realize how ridiculous he sounds by saying the team did not take a game seriously.
Pittsburgh was certainly focused on not allowing Garrett to get to the quarterback, but that is also a big part of playing the Browns no matter what is at stake. He is one of the best players in the league, and he is going to get a lot of attention every time he is on the field. It wasn't about the single-season sack record, it is simply part of the recipe for success when playing the Browns.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Mike Tomlin sits on the sideline before a road game against the Cleveland Browns near the end of the 2025 regular season.
Steelers Must Get Back On Track When Hosting The Ravens
The game against the Browns was ugly, and there is no other way to put it. Pittsburgh has to find a way to sneak out a win against the Ravens on Sunday night, especially in front of the home crowd. The Steelers are facing a ton of adversity as DK Metcalf is suspended for this game as well, but the team has the potential to be dangerous once the playoffs begin and he is allowed to return to the field. The AFC seems to be relatively wide open, and the Steelers have to find a way to get into the mix.
What do you think about Harris' comments on the Steelers? Let us know in the comments below!
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