Cleveland Browns 14 - Pittsburgh Steelers 27
Q. On either side to have time to tie the game, maybe even get the lead and instead you guys missed some of those opportunities and sort of steam rolls on you. Did it sort of feel familiar out there?
JAMEIS WINSTON: No. Every game is unique, and the most critical thing about this game is when you come on to the road against a great opponent, you can't lose a turnover margin. And, yes, some opportunities will be missed, but when we -- me -- when I protect the football and I give our defense to do what they did, find a way to get a turn over. I mean they kept fighting. They kept putting us in good situations, we just have to capitalize on drives as offense.
Q. The interception to Mic on the screen, what didn't you see or what do you have to do different?
JAMEIS WINSTON: I didn't see No. 95. And that was the main thing about that play. He made a good play. He read the screen, trying to get Nick Chubb. Got nickel pressure, trying to get Nick Chubb an opportunity. Saw Jack Conklin seal the right side the end. We turned up inside. My job is to put it on the inside shoulder. That's why I threw the ball, and No. 95 came off, he picked the ball off.
In terms of that one, the quarterback it happens, right, three the ball, dirt it. It's a lot of different situations that a coach may say, but in the heat of the moment in the game, man, like I'm trying to do my job. I do my job, and that guy made a good play. They get paid, too.
Q. Jameis, the first half other than the touchdown, the two targets was that as a result of their defense?
JAMEIS WINSTON: Yeah. They did a good job of trying to take that away from us, but we made some good adjustments in the second half and found ways to get him the ball.
When you have a number one receiver like him, you know, the defense they're going to try to take that away, and we have to lean on other guys. We have to lean on our other weapons to be able to provide that spark for us. And I think the running game provided some of that spark for us. Jerome Ford did an amazing job. Nick Chubb when his opportunity was called, he did a great job. So it was good to see that positive on the offensive side of the ball.
Q. How about the second one? You get closer and get the momentum back, get the ball back.
JAMEIS WINSTON: It was a perfect throw. It was a perfect throw. And I'm just going to continue to say that. It was a perfect throw. But we all have to be at the right place at the right time. I think the cornerback did a great job of overlapping.
In that situation when you're down by two scores and you have to push the ball down the field, it's all about precision passing, and I just wish I had that one back, because man, I had Jerome Ford right in front of me. When the team plays deep zone like that, you never go broke taking a profit.
Q. With four games left, is it hard as a team to kind of stay locked in and (inaudible)?
JAMEIS WINSTON: It's never hard as a team, because, man, it's a blessing and a privilege to sport this shield and put on a Cleveland Browns uniform and compete. Like we do this for a living. Like that's our livelihood. Just like you all ask us questions and grill us, like we get to do this for a living. So, no, it should not be hard at all. Is it challenging? Yes. It can be challenging at times when you don't get the result. We're all in this to win. I'm sure you all have better days when we win. You know what I'm saying? So I think we're all tying this together. We just have to find a way to win a football game.
Q. It seemed like the wind kind of went out of the sails somewhat when you had the back to back missed kicks. We just talked to Dustin, and of course, he feels horrible about those, but did it seem like that kind of took the momentum away for you guys?
JAMEIS WINSTON: As an offense, our job is to score touchdowns, man. Dustin is our kicker. He does an amazing job doing what he does. I think he should be able to answer to those questions. I know he's hard on himself. It's not my job to scrutinize him. We all can be better, me included.
Q. This was your first game here in Pittsburgh. Anything unique about it, the setting to you?
JAMEIS WINSTON: Well, I just wish we would have won. I think that would have made the experience better. But, you know, this is a Mike Tomlin team. It's a great defense. They found a way to win; great quarterback on the other side. Great atmosphere. And it's good.
But in that game I feel like the Pittsburgh Steelers, they let the Cleveland Browns beat the Cleveland Browns. I don't believe the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns. I believe the Cleveland Browns beat the Cleveland Browns.
Q. You talk about protecting the ball. You had some throw-aways early. Did you feel you were more careful with the ball early?
JAMEIS WINSTON: Yes. I was cautious. Like it was a good defense. When they do things schematically to limit us, I'm not trying to take sacks. I'm trying to get the ball out of my hand. I did my best to take advantage when the opportunities were given, but some opportunities weren't there early. So I had to throw the ball away.
I did miss a few opportunities that were there, and I'm going to drill those and get better from those, man. But for the most part, man, those two throws, again, it only takes two throws. Those two throws were going to be outcome oriented. The decision, I felt like my decision was good.
Q. Cleveland Browns football team right now, you guys hit double digit losses, but when you look at the fight you guys have in you and how well you guys do play in certain games and certain situations, is it hard to believe that this football team is where it's at right now?
JAMEIS WINSTON: You know, one thing we don't control is the outcomes of these games. What we have to control is what we do, what we put out there on tape, what we put into the week every single week, how we continue to fight and how we represent not only the Cleveland Browns, but ourselves.
As grateful as we are to have this opportunity to play football, a child's game, we have to find a way to dig deep and find a way to get a win, and that's what's the most important thing. It's not about how hard it is. It's not about this or that. It's about us digging deep down and finding a way to get a great team win to get this taste and feeling out of our mouth.
Q. You guys have -- obviously it's not going to get any easier next week, but what do you know about this football team having been around --
JAMEIS WINSTON: I know this football team is going to fight. I know that we love each other, and I know that we will continue to endure and find a way.
Q. You talked about Dustin and he talked about you and how you support each other. How do you think he's going to handle what's a difficult time for him?
JAMEIS WINSTON: I think in terms of my perspective, Dustin is a man of Christ, and I know that he knows that he will continue to find ways to persevere, and I know through my experience, I know Dustin is going through a lot. That's none of my business to place, but I know he's going through a lot. I know what he's going through. You understand what I'm saying? But at the end of the day, he's going to hold himself to a high standard; and me and him included, man, we are in this for the audience of one. Perspective, perception, everyone trying to throw the knife at somebody, like that doesn't work because we function from a spirit that we know that God is going to get the glory at the end of the day regardless, and at the end of the day, like we play a game that's outcome oriented. So tough things are going to happen, but I know Dustin's spirit, and I know that he will keep his head up and he will continue to drill and get better and better.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports