The Pittsburgh Steelers made life difficult on the Cleveland Browns’ offense in Week 6. Pittsburgh’s defense held the Browns to just nine points – all on field goals – and sacked rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel six times over the game.
Gabriel, who made his second start of the season as Cleveland transitions away from veteran Joe Flacco, made light of that performance today. When asked how he was feeling after Pittsburgh tallied 16 hits on him during the game, Gabriel wasn’t fazed.
‘My mom used to beat my a– as a kid so I don’t think anything will live up to it,’ he said. After a pause, he added that he was ‘just playing around.’
That quarterback hit total was a season-high for the Pittsburgh defense after they notched 14 against Minnesota in Week 4 before their bye.
‘I’m good,’ Gabriel said. ‘It’s part of football. That’s why you play it, we’re good.’
As a unit, Cleveland’s offensive line has struggled in pass protection this season. The Browns rank 27th in ESPN’s pass block win rate metric but are closer to league average in run block win rate at 14th.
Things may not get easier for Gabriel in the pocket in Week 7. The Browns face a Miami Dolphins defense whose strength is pass rush so he may be handing the ball off more than usual.
Gabriel attempted 52 passes in the Browns’ loss to the Steelers. That tied for the second-most in a single game this season. Only Bryce Young’s 55 attempts for Carolina against Arizona in Week 2 ranks higher.
He completed 29 of those 52 attempts for 221 yards. His first career start a week earlier against Minnesota saw him complete 19 of 33 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns.