Paul Zeise Live: Are Russell Wilson, Steelers still true AFC contenders after Browns loss?

Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports, specifically the Steelers' NFL Week 12 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night. Is this team still a true contender with the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills in the race for the AFC title? Or are those teams still a step above? What should we make of Russell Wilson, George Pickens, Najee Harris and the offense playing well in the second half after a sluggish first half? Did OC Arthur Smith make good use of backup QB Justin Fields? How much should we see from him moving forward? And why didn't T.J. Watt, Nick Herbig, Cam Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Joey Porter Jr. and the defense have enough answers for Jameis Winston, Nick Chubb and the struggling Browns offense?
Paul tackles all of those topics, then looks ahead to weekend college games: Pitt-Louisville and Penn State-Minnesota.

[@rizzomatt]

Ha! Contenders?! Not if they played like they did last night. They would not have won with Fields. Who the hell said that? Russ looked great. Terrible, terrible loss. Detroit doesn't pee down their leg against bad teams.

[@robertmagee5640]

They could be contenders if they could get in the endzone. Until then, it will be a 1st playoff game loss. If Arthur Smith can get away with his known plays and calling and make some more dynamic plays and better offensive schemes, then maybe they can contend. Never should have lost that game. Fields shouldn't have thrown that ball on 3rd and 4.

[@davecolvin310]

Oooh.always hate when tomlins in game descions cost them the game.would it had been to much for him to tell Arthur to keep russ in when needing only one first down to win?i dont care what anyone says ,when your coach cost you,players could start to lose confidence.I see this game having a trickle down affect.if you want to paul you can move on from this game but we'll see what happens down the stretch my geuss is they won't win the division.

[@charlesthompson9383]

Russ is good between the 20s; Russ is going on 36 years old, and the drop-off is extreme when they start getting to this age. Justin can develop if given the coaching; Lamar Jackson is a perfect example of that. And in Chicago, Justin can throw the long ball, but I think he didn't here because he was trying to show that he can fit the system. Everyone is acting like Russ is the QB messiah.

[@charlesthompson9383]

Would you rather bet the house on 1 year or develop Justin and have the next 10 years of a franchise QB.

[@tyronegrant3422]

Justin is a 5 year pro….

[@mikecara8181]

NO

[@EastsideLegend1]

Nope

[@gman8591]

Same ole Tomlin backyard football. We had better plays as kids playing in the backyard... this coach is a joke and always has been. Give me 5 minutes of pregame speech... their tails will be between their legs but they will come out with a victory. Weak loss.
No way they lose this with a real coaching staff. Still shaking my head. Even at the very end of the game with a Hail Mary none of the Steeler players jumped up high to try and get the ball. What were you doing freiermuth waiting for the next bus? Jump!!

[@chukwudi0512]

So correct, Justin Fields, can not throw the ball!