Browns fans were riding high when their team built a huge lead over the Steelers, but a second-half comeback bid by Pittsburgh is causing serious anxiety.
The first quarter of the Browns’ playoff matchup with the Steelers in the AFC Wild Card was pure ecstasy for Cleveland fans. Building a 28-0 lead will do that.
The trouble with football is four quarters have to be played and no lead is ever really safe.
Browns fans were keenly aware of that as the Steelers trimmed the deficit to 35-23 by the end of the third quarter.
Browns fans, how are you feeling right now?
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) January 11, 2021
Sometimes, there’s only one phrase to describe watching a game nervously.
Squeaky bum time in Cleveland.
— Maximiliano Bretos (@MaxBretosSports) January 11, 2021
Would anyone really be surprised if the Browns were to blow it? Not really.
This would be the biggest browns thing to do I swear
— MT PLUG (@mtplug_grinder) January 11, 2021
The browns are really about to choke huh
— Vermillion🎄🌨 (@Vermill78517661) January 11, 2021
This would be the biggest browns thing to do I swear
— MT PLUG (@mtplug_grinder) January 11, 2021
#Browns fans watching their team slowly blow a 35-10 lead pic.twitter.com/NMmUh0UUC7
— bobert (@trombone1kenobi) January 11, 2021
In fact, people were already imagining the worst before the Steelers’ comeback really got going.
Radical Browns fans figuring out ways this could go bad pic.twitter.com/iULSqgLOeP
— Tommy (@THill109) January 11, 2021
College football fans could bring some unnecessary stress to the proceedings by pointing out Mayfield’s history…
Nothing to worry about Browns fans, the biggest lead Baker's ever blown in a playoff game is 17 points
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) January 11, 2021
There were some voices of reason.
Folks acting like Pittsburgh just cut it to a 3 point game. Cleveland is up 2 scores, getting the ball, and can move the ball at will.
Relax, Browns fans. You’re at Arrowhead next week. Save your nervousness for that game.
— nick wright (@getnickwright) January 11, 2021
Not that any of that will help. Sports are built for creating anxiety.
The expectation of agony for Cleveland fans goes back decades. The Browns haven’t won a playoff game since 1995. Not that they’ve had a lot of opportunities. This is their first playoff appearance since a 2002 loss to the Steelers.
This time around, they’ve got Baker Mayfield, Nick Chubb and a defense that forced three interceptions. They also had a bit of luck as the first play of the game for the Steelers was a botched snap recovered for a touchdown.
Should the Browns protect their lead, they will advance to play Kansas City in the divisional round. They could use some more luck at Arrowhead, but first, they’ve got to get to the final whistle at Heinz Field.