Pick your adjective. Steelers fans experiencing an array of emotions. Disbelief, anger, sadness, grief … the list can go on. The Steelers were not overwhelming favorites. But consider, the Browns barely beat the Steelers in Cleveland to end the regular season. In that game the Steelers rested Ben Roethlisberger, Maurkice Pouncey, Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt among others. Backup quarterback, Mason Rudolph came within a failed two-point conversion if tying up the game and sending it to overtime.
There was reason for Steelers fans to be optimistic going into the Steelers first playoff game since 2017. Key starters rested and coming back to the line-up.