Greg Newsome II, the Browns' lively cornerback, turned the Cleveland locker room into his personal wrestling ring after a thrilling 24-19 victory over the Steelers on Thursday night. Newsome’s enthusiasm wasn’t just about the win—it was his way of processing the dramatic final play of the game, where he went toe-to-toe with Steelers receiver George Pickens in what felt more like a WrestleMania bout than a football play.
“He was just trying to do WrestleMania with me the whole time,” Newsome chuckled after the game. “So that’s what happened at the end.”
The Final Play That Stole the Spotlight
With six seconds left in the game, the Steelers faced a third-and-1 at Cleveland's 35-yard line. A Hail Mary was their last-ditch effort to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson launched a desperate pass into the end zone, but Browns safety Grant Delpit and cornerback Denzel Ward made sure to bat the ball down, cementing Cleveland’s win.
However, the real action wasn’t near the ball—it was a heated battle between Newsome and Pickens, who were locked in a physical duel that spilled out of the back of the end zone.
Pickens, frustrated, resorted to grabbing Newsome’s helmet and dragging him down. But Newsome seemed to have the upper hand, keeping Pickens away from the play entirely. “Yeah, he’s a fake tough guy,” Newsome said, not mincing words. “He does a lot of that. The antics and stuff. Yeah, he didn’t even go up for the ball.”
A Tense and Tumultuous Finish
This wasn’t just a scuffle—it was a full-on confrontation. The two players ended up on the ground near the stands by the Huntington Bank Field restraining wall. Officials and security personnel had to step in as Cleveland’s players began celebrating their hard-fought win.
For Newsome and the Browns defense, it wasn’t just about outplaying Pickens—it was about dominating him. In snowy, bone-chilling conditions on the Cleveland lakefront, they held Pickens to just 48 yards on four catches from seven targets.
“We did a really good job stopping some of those, what they say, 50-50 balls,” Newsome said, with a confident grin. “We call ’em 80-20 balls. So I think we did a good job eliminating those.”
No Love Lost Between Rivals
The postgame chatter added even more spice to the drama. Pickens, clearly upset, downplayed the Browns’ victory. “Conditions played a huge, huge part in today’s game,” he told reporters. “I don’t think the Cleveland Browns are a good team at all. I think the conditions kind of saved them today.”
Unsurprisingly, that jab quickly went viral on social media. Newsome didn’t hold back, either. He fired back with a post on X (formerly Twitter), saying “Fake tough guy” accompanied by three crying-laughing emojis, doubling down on his earlier comments.
Pickens, known for his fiery personality, has made waves before. Earlier this season, he was fined $10,230 for grabbing Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis’ face mask during a tense moment in Dallas’ Week 5 victory.
Browns vs. Steelers: More Than Just a Game
The tension between these two teams wasn’t limited to Newsome and Pickens. Browns safety Grant Delpit also had his moment of conflict with Pickens. With 8:28 left in the game, Delpit was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after yanking Pickens’ mouthguard out and tossing it on the ground.
“I let my intrusive thoughts win, but it looked like we won the battle,” Delpit joked. “We won the battle. So eff it, we ball.”
The hostility and drama don’t seem to be going anywhere. With the Browns and Steelers set to clash again in Week 14 on December 8, this fiery rivalry could reignite in spectacular fashion.
Bigger Picture: Browns’ Tough Season
For the Browns, this win was a rare highlight in a season that’s been less than stellar. Entering the game at 3-8, Cleveland had started the year with high hopes and Super Bowl dreams. But tough losses and inconsistent play have derailed their aspirations.
Still, Thursday’s victory showcased their resilience and ability to perform under pressure, especially against a divisional rival like the Steelers. The Browns’ defense, in particular, showed its teeth, refusing to let Pickens or the weather dictate the game’s outcome.
Looking Ahead
As the Browns gear up for their next meeting with the Steelers, all eyes will be on the Newsome-Pickens matchup. Will tensions boil over again? Or will cooler heads prevail? One thing is certain: fans won’t want to miss the rematch.
The drama, the physicality, and the high stakes make this rivalry one of the most exciting in the NFL right now. For Newsome, it’s just another opportunity to prove himself—and maybe reenact a few more wrestling moves in the locker room.
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