Can a bad day in Pittsburgh define Browns' season? 3 overreactions

PITTSBURGH ― The Browns' 27-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 1 is exactly the kind of loss from which a legion of overreactions can, and will, be born.That's not to say every reaction from what happened in the Steel City will be an overreaction. There's absolutely going to be some reactions that are going to be underrections.What's not either an under- or overreaction is the Browns wake up Nov. 2 with a 5-3 record. They are a game behind the 6-3 Steelers in the AFC North, and a half-game behind the 5-2 Cincinnati BengalsSubscribe to Browns Insider newsletterThe Browns have two more games before they finally hit their bye week. That starts with one more road game, this time at the New Orleans Saints.However, let's put a bow on what happened in Pittsburgh by looking at potential overreactions to the loss.Steelers exposed Browns as frauds in AFC North raceThere's a world where this might be true. It's a world that won't exist for a few more weeks, as we see more of the Browns season play out.However, it would be unfair to use this one data point, though, to negate everything that came before it. This wouldn't be the first time a good Browns team came to Pittsburgh and was absolutely fileted.The 2020 playoff team is the only Browns team since 2003 to actually win a game of any kind in Pittsburgh when it won the AFC wild card game against the Steelers. That was nearly three months after that team went into the same empty stadium and lost 38-7 to the Steelers.There's another connection between the two teams. That team also was beaten in its season opener under a new head coach on the road by at least three touchdowns.Does that mean the 2026 team will end up like the 2020 team? Not at all.It just means one data point in Pittsburgh means one moment in time. Much like when this team was winning games every week in the fourth quarter, when it gets slammed in the Steel City, it's just part of the wave of this season.Browns run defense may just be unfixable at this pointThe Browns have now given up at least 126 rushing yards in five of their eight games this season. The Steelers' 200 rushing yards in this game was the first time a team had topped 150 in a game.Still, at some point, it's not a bug but a feature for the defense. The Browns can talk about their eyes being wrong and being out of position, but this is just who they are on that side of the ball.That's possibly just a byproduct of what they really want to do, which is to rush upfield and affect the quarterback. Especially with defensive backs tied to receivers in the coverage schemes, it leaves a lot of space for the running back to gallop through before a defender gets there.If it isn't, then the Browns need to fix it now. Otherwise, this leak in the defense is going to drown any hope for a successful season.Deshaun Watson's got to find a way out of sacksIf Deshaun Watson's going to say pin the blame for the eight sacks he took against the Steelers on him, then we're going to abide by his wishes and do so. That means we're going to ask the question of what he needs to do to accelerate the clock and get the ball out quicker.Buy Cleveland Browns ticketsWatson has been sacked 33 times this season, easily the most in the league. In fact, it's 10 more than anyone else.OK, since it's not all on Watson, the offensive line definitely has been a wildly inconsistent group at the very least. They played very well the first time against the Steelers, only to turn around and not do so in the rematch.Regardless of who it's on, it's imperative for all involved to find a way to fix it, and quickly. The hits, regardless of who's fault they are, still hurt the same, and could ultimately lead to a change at the position.Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ. Sign up for Browns Insider newsletter at https://profile.beaconjournal.com/newsletters/browns-insider/This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Can a bad day in Pittsburgh define Browns' season? 3 overreactionsOur editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.