The Browns didn’t beat the Washington Commanders only on the scoreboard.

Their 24-10 victory on Sunday also included the fact the Browns beat them up physically, and they were aggressive in their approach.

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Too many times this year, the Browns haven’t been very physical, or very aggressive with their play-calling offensively or defensively. They were passive and reactionary in that they responded to what their opponents were doing.

You can’t play any sport that way, especially football, which is, by its very make-up, physical and aggressive. You have to go after people. You have to play hard and fast, going a mile a minute, or, as former head coach Butch Davis, “play like your hair’s on fire.”

The Pittsburgh Steelers, who host the Browns on Sunday in the regular-season finale, have resurrected themselves and gotten back into the playoff picture by being physical and aggressive. That’s been the organization’s mantra for 50 years, and when the Steelers have faltered, it’s been because they have performed in reactionary fashion.

You know that the Steelers, who must win Sunday to have any chance of making the postseason, will bring that approach to Heinz Field before that frenzied crowd, and I am anxious to see if the Browns match that by doing what they did in Washington.

Steve King

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