CLEVELAND - One of the sweetest things about the Browns' 20-14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers for some of the players was what the loss does for Pittsburgh's playoff hopes.
The Steelers are now 6-5 and three games behind the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North Division. They can't afford many more defeats if they want to have a chance to qualify for the AFC playoffs as a wild card.
"Oh definitely," Browns linebacker D'Qwell Jackson replied when asked if he takes satisfaction from damaging the Steelers' playoff chances. "Without a doubt. Any time you can play a good game against them and come out on top, it's a good feeling because right now the rivalry is in their favor.
"After the game a lot of guys didn't want to shake our hands. I'm okay with that, but I'll take that 'W' any day."
For most of the players it was the first win they've celebrated against the Steelers. The Browns last won in the series in 2009, 13-9. They're 5-23 in the expansion era.
"If you look back at history, the Steelers have been trouble for us," safety T.J. Ward said. "You wanted to give something to the fans and give something to ourselves and the coaching staff. We prepared really well this week, and we came out and played a good game."
Browns coach Pat Shurmur made sure to remind the rookies that their record against the Steelers is 1-0. The intensity of the rivalry probably hasn't set in with all of them.
"A lot of these guys had never played the Steelers before, so there's never a thought of here we go again," offensive tackle Joe Thomas said. "That's one of the advantages of having a young team."
LAST TIME: It was announced during the game that former team president Mike Holmgren will officially leave the organization this week. Holmgren was in the locker room after the game to congratulate new owner James Haslam III.
GETTING AFTER IT: Running back Trent Richardson worked hard for each of his 85 yards on 29 carries. He praised the play of the Steelers' defense.
"That's the best defense I've played against since I've been in the NFL, hands down," he said. "And hard-hitting. I took a few shots, but you know that was probably the hardest-hitting team I've played against so far."
TURNOVER MACHINE: The Browns recovered five fumbles and intercepted three passes. The eight takeaways are the most by any team since the New Orleans Saints had eight against the St. Louis Rams Oct. 28, 2001. The total is the most by the Browns since they registered eight at Pittsburgh Sept. 10, 1989. The Browns won that game at Three Rivers Stadium, 51-0, in Bud Carson's first appearance as head coach.
HOLD THAT LINE: The Browns limited the Steelers to 49 rushing yards, the lowest total allowed to an opponent since giving up 41 to the Arizona Cardinals Nov. 16, 2003.
ROLLING ON: Kicker Phil Dawson tied his personal record of 27 consecutive field goals with two in the first half. The streak is the longest in team history.
TWICE AS NICE: The Browns are now 2-3 in games against AFC North Division opponents. It's the first time they've won two or more division games since 2007, when they went 3-3.
INJURY REPORT: Safety Usama Young suffered a head injury tackling tight end Heath Miller in the third quarter. He didn't return. Joshua Cribbs injured a shoulder but continued playing. Quarterback Brandon Weeden suffered what might be a concussion late in the fourth quarter.
Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley left in the first quarter with an ankle injury. He was listed as questionable in the press box but didn't return. Right tackle Mike Adams left in the third quarter with a left ankle injury. The Steelers are now without their top two draft picks - guard David DeCastro (first round) and Adams (second round). DeCastro injured a knee in a preseason game.
NOT THIS WEEK: There was conjecture early last week that Steelers safety Troy Polamalu would play, but he was out again with a calf injury. He was replaced by Will Allen.
INACTIVES: Sidelined for the Browns were defensive backs Dimitri Patterson and Ray Ventrone; running back Brandon Jackson; fullback Owen Marecic; defensive lineman Ronnie Cameron; offensive lineman Jarrod Shaw and receiver Josh Cooper.
Out for the Steelers were quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger and Byron Leftwich; cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke; Polamalu; offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert; receiver Antonio Brown and receiver Jerricho Cotchery.
