The snow-covered game between the Steelers and Browns on Thursday night ended with an incomplete pass and the final whistle, but the tension between the teams is still high.
Pittsburgh wide receiver George Pickens had to be held back after trying to go after Cleveland cornerback Greg Newsome III. This happened after Pickens dragged Newsome out of the back of the end zone by pulling on his helmet during the last play.
As the Steelers were attempting a Hail Mary in their 24-19 loss, Pickens ran down the field. He didn’t seem to be going after the pass while being blocked by Newsome. Instead, Pickens grabbed Newsome’s helmet, and they both ended up by the restraining wall.
TV cameras showed Pickens being restrained from going after Newsome, who had strong words after the game.
“He’s a fake tough guy,” Newsome said. “He does a lot of that. The antics and stuff. Yeah, he didn’t even go up for the ball. He was just trying to do WrestleMania with me the whole time. So that’s what happened at the end.”
The two teams will meet again on December 8 in Pittsburgh, and the tension could continue.
Earlier this season, Pickens was fined $10,230 for grabbing the face mask of Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis in the final seconds of a game.
Pickens didn’t comment on the incident with Newsome, but he did say that the weather played a big role in the game.
“Conditions played a huge, huge part in today’s game,” said Pickens, who had four catches for 48 yards. “I don’t really think the Cleveland Browns are a good team at all. I think the conditions really saved them.”
Newsome felt the Steelers thought they could push the Browns around.
“I don’t think they respected us,” he said. “I don’t think a lot of teams respect us, so for us to come out here on Thursday night football and get a win was huge for us.”
