With the Steelers down 23-20 and less than 10 seconds left on the clock, Kent Graham dropped back to attempt the game winning TD pass. Cleveland DE Courtney Brown had a different idea, and swarmed down on Graham with a game saving sack in mind.

With mere moments to spare, Graham threw the ball out of the back of the endzone, and Kris Brown came on to kick the game tying field goal as time expired.

After winning the coin toss to start OT, the Steelers marched down the field behind Jerome Bettis, as he added to the 122 yards he gained in regulation time. The additional 42 yards he pounded out in OT allowed Kris Brown to come in to kick his fourth field goal of the day from 38 yards out.

At least that's the way it should have happened.

In reality, Courtney Brown did sack Graham, as he inexplicably held onto the ball instead of throwing it away. Time expired before the Steelers could get off a field goal attempt. Browns 23 Steelers 20. Game, set, match.

What made this loss even harder to take, was that it was my annual trip to Cleveland to see the Steelers play our rivals. It has always been a great town to watch football. The fans are for the most part knowledgeable about the sport, and like to take the rivalry by the tail when dishing out some good-natured ribbing with the Steeler fans. The new stadium (first class by the way), only adds to the enjoyment of the experience.

But the experience leaves a lot to be desired when the outcome is decided by a bone-headed play such as Graham made. You would think a 9 year veteran would know better. But such has been the fate of the Steelers for the past couple of seasons. Instead of finding ways to win, they are able to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Kordell Stewart must feel relieved knowing they can't pin this loss on him. No, there is obviously more wrong with this team than Kordell.

The Defensive Backs made Tim Couch look like a Pro Bowl candidate at QB. He was 23-31 for 316 yards, and 2 TD passes. Josh Miller constantly backed the Browns inside the 5 yard line with his booming punts, and each time Couch responded with a big play to get them out of there. Good teams don't allow that to happen.

There were some positives to take out of this game, such as Bettis rushing for 122 yards. Kent Graham has not thrown an interception yet this year, and Josh Miller is proving himself to be the best punter in the NFL.

But, we have to remember the Steelers were beaten by a second year expansion team. I don't think it proves how good the Browns have become, as much as it shows how far the Steelers have fallen. Unfortunately the falling shouldn't stop anytime soon. The Steelers return home to face the Titans, before traveling to Jacksonville to face the Jaguars, and then on to New York to face the Jets.

Can you say 0-5?

by SteelerGil (September 18, 00)