Browns Qb Dillon Gabriel Shrugs Off Steelers' Pounding Defense In Week 6 Clash

Rookie QB Faces Steelers' Brutal Defense

The Cleveland Browns' rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel experienced a baptism by fire during Week 6, as the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense relentlessly battered him in a tough 23–9 loss at Acrisure Stadium. Making only his second career start, the rookie found himself at the receiving end of a punishing 16 hits and six sacks, with the Browns' offense struggling to score a touchdown for the third time this season.

Gabriel's Resilient Response

“My mom used to beat my ass when I was a kid, so I don’t think anything will live up to what my mom did,” Gabriel quipped. “No, I was just playing around, but I’m good.”

Gabriel's lighthearted comment came despite enduring one of the most physically demanding games by any rookie quarterback this year. His 16 hits marked a season-high for any team facing the Steelers, surpassing Pittsburgh’s previous high against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4. The Steelers' defense kept Gabriel on his toes, with Jalen Ramsey and Nick Herbig each scoring two sacks and consistently breaking through to force hurried throws.

Stats and Struggles

In a game marked by defensive dominance, Gabriel completed 29 out of 52 passes for 221 yards. Although he didn't manage to score a touchdown, he impressively avoided turnovers – a notable achievement for a rookie under relentless pressure. Across four appearances this season, Gabriel has thrown for 430 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions, completing 57.3% of his passes.

According to ESPN metrics, the Browns' offensive line ranks 27th in pass protection, making Gabriel one of the most pressured quarterbacks in the league. Head coach Kevin Stefanski stood by his decision to keep Gabriel in the game, emphasizing that the entire coaching staff holds responsibility for the protection issues. Meanwhile, backup QB Shedeur Sanders remained sidelined following Joe Flacco's trade to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Brown's Offensive Woes Continue

The loss pushed the Browns to a 1–5 record, marking 11 consecutive games where they've failed to score more than 17 points. As the team grapples with ongoing offensive challenges, Gabriel's resilience and ability to handle pressure continue to shine as a silver lining in a challenging season.