Pittsburgh Steelers veteran Cam Heyward was flagged for roughing the passer on Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the second half, drawing the ire of fans.
Heyward blew up Browns center Luke Wypler and nailed Sanders as he was attempting a pass, which fell incomplete. He came down on top of the Browns’ rookie quarterback, which drew a flag from the officials. Many saw it as a clean hit and a bad call.
“The NFL is rigged. That Cam Heyward roughing the passer just proved it,” one fan said.
“Terrible penalty call on Heyward. That ain’t football. What a soft game,” another added.
“More comical refereeing,” a fan said. “Roughing the passer? What else is Heyward supposed to do?”
Luckily for Heyward and the Steelers, the Browns didn’t score any points on the drive and punted.
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Praised Steelers’ Physicality
Sanders had nothing but good things to say about the Steelers’ defense ahead of their matchup, highlighting their physicality, which he felt was on full display on the play involving Heyward.
“I think that they are physical. I like their physicality. I like how they fly around, get to the ball,” Sanders said.
Sanders said he did not approach the game any differently despite it being his first taste of the AFC North rivalry.
“I know getting to win versus any team means a lot for the Browns,” Sanders said. “You go in each and every game with motivation and with what you feel like you need to do within the scheme and understand how you need to play for you to be able to go out there and have success. So, I approach every game the same.”
Browns Star Myles Garrett in Search of Record Sack
On the other side of the ball, Myles Garrett continued his quest to set the NFL’s single-season sack record. Through three quarters, Garrett affected the game in a significant way but did not register a sack.
Garrett expected that Rodgers could be hard to sack, crediting the 42-year-old for his ability to get rid of the ball quickly. Rodgers did exactly that against the Browns.
“Gotta take away those easy access throws, make him look at his second read,” Garrett said. “There’ll be opportunities if we continue to get stops during the game, and he can’t continue to lean on those quick passes, when you gotta score points.”
Garrett admitted it’d be special to get Rodgers — a four-time MVP — for his record-setting sack.
“He’s legendary himself. And it’s a legendary record I’m out here chasing,” Garrett said. “So that’d be a great one to put a picture on the wall with.”
A lot was at stake for the Steelers against the Browns. A win would clinch the AFC North and a playoff berth, while a loss would set up a winner-take-all showdown with the Baltimore Ravens in the season finale.
The Browns — who entered Sunday with three wins — wrap up their season against the Cincinnati Bengals next week.
NFL Officials Under Fire for Controversial Call Involving Browns QB Shedeur Sanders