Five things we learned from Browns 29, Steelers 17:

1. Offense sidelined

When Ben Roethlisberger was making all of those fourth-quarter comebacks last season, the Steelers were a top-10 team in terms of possessing the ball in the final 15 minutes. They ranked ninth and had the ball more than 57% of the time when it got to so-called crunch time.

This year? Um, not so much.

A disturbing trend continued against the Browns as the Steelers had the ball for just 3 minutes, 42 seconds of the final 15 minutes. Blame can go to a defense that couldn’t stop the Browns running game, but the offense was just as culpable by going three-and-out on its first two possessions of the fourth quarter. They held the ball for 57 and 71 seconds, respectively, on those drives.

This comes on the heels of the Steelers having the ball for just 2:41 against New England and 4:45 against Cincinnati in the fourth quarter.

The offense has been on the field for just 24.72% of the plays in the fourth quarter. Only Carolina, which is at 22.33% through two games, has maintained possession less frequently.

For all quarters, not just the fourth, the Steelers rank No. 29 in time of possession.

2. By George

George Pickens made the catch of the game and perhaps the season with his one-handed grab as he was falling backwards that resulted in a 36-yard gain.

The spectacular catch was what fans were craving to see after Pickens wowed during training camp and in the preseason opener. Pickens, though, didn’t have much else go his way the rest of the game.

Pickens was targeted seven times, and his two other receptions went for a combined 3 yards.

Pickens also was offside on the onside kick Chris Boswell attempted after his field goal pulled the Steelers within 23-17 with 1:48 remaining in the game. This helped the Browns run out all but the final nine seconds.

3. Jacked up

Seeking to provide the kind of stability at inside linebacker that has been missing since Ryan Shazier’s spinal cord injury, the Steelers brought in veteran Myles Jack from Jacksonville.

Unlike Joe Schobert, Mark Barron and Jon Bostic, Jack has been as good as advertised — if not better. Jack led the Steelers with 12 tackles, marking the third consecutive game he finished in double digits. That made him the first Steelers player with 10 or more tackles in three consecutive games since James Farrior in 2008.

Devin Bush also was around the football against the Browns. He totaled 11 tackles.

4. Fine coming?

Right tackle Chuks Okorafor could hear from the league office for his conduct on a play early in the third quarter that resulted in a knee sprain for Browns linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. Okorafor was blocking when Walker fell to the ground in pain.

For some reason, Okorafor dived on top of the prone Walker, who was not involved in the action. Okorafor drew a flag, but not for his hit. He was guilty of being an ineligible player downfield. This infraction was costly as it negated a 35-yard catch and run by Jaylen Warren that would have given the Steelers the ball at the Browns 15. Instead, the drive stalled near midfield, and the Steelers had to punt.

5. Lack of Watt-age

Another game without T.J. Watt, another loss for the Steelers. They are 0-6-1 dating to last season when Watt misses all or significant portions of a game because of injury.

At least the Steelers can say they weren’t shut out in the sacks department for the second game in a row. They finished with two against Jacoby Brissett. Alex Highsmith, who has been elevated to a lead pass-rushing role in Watt’s absence, was credited with 1 1/2 sacks. Larry Ogunjobi got the remaining half sack.

Highsmith, by the way, played 68 of 72 snaps. Malik Reed, starting for the second time at Watt’s spot, played 57 snaps but was involved in just two tackles.

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