CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Browns were on the wrong side of the scoreboard in 17 straight games heading into the 2018 regular-season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium Sunday afternoon.
The Browns were neither on the good or bad sides of the scoreboard as a stout offensive effort in the final seven-plus minutes of the fourth quarter and six forced turnovers from the defense led to a 21-21 tie against their chief rival in the AFC North Division.
“It’s disappointment, real disappointment,” wide receiver Josh Gordon said. “That’s a tough way to end the game. Nobody wants to do that with as much work as everyone puts in with the changes that have been made here. It’s better than a loss, sure, but we came in here ready to win. Anything less is not good enough.”
Linebacker Joe Schobert added, “A little disappointed because it was right there in the bag for us. We had our chances to win multiple times, but we just weren’t able to pull it off. There is a lot for our team to be proud of, but there is still a lot of stuff we need to work on and correct. We need to be able to take these kinds of games and win them.”
PHOTOS | Cleveland Browns face Pittsburgh Steelers in 2018 regular-season opener
Gordon and Schobert’s frustrations were echoed throughout the locker room, as most of his teammates felt the same way after the tie.
“I do not know what it feels like” quarterback Tyrod Taylor said. “Of course, you do not get rewarded with the win. It is a sour feeling. Really not sure what it feels like.”
Defensive end Myles Garrett added, “Does not feel like a win.”
Although the Browns were not happy about the tie, they showed no lack of motivation heading into the work week for next Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints, a game that will be played at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.
“I know what we need to improve on offense, and I know the defense played well and helped force a lot of turnovers,” offensive lineman Joel Bitonio said. “We just need to come back, get better next week and go against the Saints. Hopefully, it will be an improvement.”
Defensive back Jabrill Peppers added, “We did not win. It is all about winning. Nobody cares about draws or ties, whatever you guys call it. We were in a position to win this game countless times. We just have to make the plays.”
Himself disappointed in the fact that the Browns tied the Steelers in a game where they forced three interceptions and three fumbles, Browns coach Hue Jackson believes his team will respond to the challenges he and the staff put forth this week.
“It is not preseason football,” Jackson said. “It is the National Football League. It is the regular season, and we have to continue to get better. I think the guys can see that we are an improved football team, but there are some areas that we have to clean up and clean up fast, and we will.
“The guys fought. Disappointed for our fans. Did not want them going home without a victory. I did not want our players to go home without a victory. We were not able to get it done. Did not finish it, but obviously, a tie. A tie.”
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