Browns fans get nervous as Steelers cut into huge playoff lead

Browns fans were riding high when their team built a huge lead over the Steelers, but a second-half comeback bid by Pittsburgh is causing serious anxiety.

The first quarter of the Browns’ playoff matchup with the Steelers in the AFC Wild Card was pure ecstasy for Cleveland fans. Building a 28-0 lead will do that.

The trouble with football is four quarters have to be played and no lead is ever really safe.

Browns fans were keenly aware of that as the Steelers trimmed the deficit to 35-23 by the end of the third quarter.

Sometimes, there’s only one phrase to describe watching a game nervously.

Would anyone really be surprised if the Browns were to blow it? Not really.

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In fact, people were already imagining the worst before the Steelers’ comeback really got going.

College football fans could bring some unnecessary stress to the proceedings by pointing out Mayfield’s history…

There were some voices of reason.

Not that any of that will help. Sports are built for creating anxiety.

The expectation of agony for Cleveland fans goes back decades. The Browns haven’t won a playoff game since 1995. Not that they’ve had a lot of opportunities. This is their first playoff appearance since a 2002 loss to the Steelers.

This time around, they’ve got Baker Mayfield, Nick Chubb and a defense that forced three interceptions. They also had a bit of luck as the first play of the game for the Steelers was a botched snap recovered for a touchdown.

Should the Browns protect their lead, they will advance to play Kansas City in the divisional round. They could use some more luck at Arrowhead, but first, they’ve got to get to the final whistle at Heinz Field.