Grading the Steelers:

Neil Gordon is in his 14^th season as the head coach of the Penn Hills High School Indians. He has won one WPIAL title.

Grading the Opponent:

Jack McCurry is in his 23^nd season as the head coach of the North Hills High School Indians. He has won four WPIAL titles.

Offense: C+

The reestablishment of Jerome Bettis gave the Steelers offense some life. The running game, however, was not enough. Poor play selection and time management at the end of the game cost the Steelers the opportunity to win or at least tie. To take a sack on the final play is inexcusable.

Offense: B+

Despite the absence of JaJuan Dawson, the Browns' passing game showed great promise and is truly alive and well. Tim Couch hung in against the Steelers' pressure, found hot receivers and connected with Kevin Johnson, David Patten and the impressive Aaron Shea in crucial situations.

Defense: C+

It was the best at times and the worst at times. Mental mistakes, especially on pass coverage, hurt the defensive effort. After allowing a 75-yard pass completion to Kevin Johnson, the Steelers demonstrated their character with a great goal-line stand. But it was too little, too late. The Steelers let this one get away.

Defense: C

As expected, the Cleveland front seven was quite vulnerable against the run and consistently put a young and inexperienced secondary in a tough position against the Steelers' play-action pass game. On the bright side, rookie Courtney Brown led a quick, relentless pass rush that will continue to improve, and linebackers Jamir Miller and Wali Rainer are tough guys with quickness and speed.

Special Teams: A

Outstanding performances by punter Josh Miller and the punt-coverage team. Miller and company continually gave the Steelers good field position. Hank Poteat's punt returns and Hines Ward's kickoff returns provided the Steelers with excellent field position. Kris Brown contributed with two field goals and a great tackle.

Special Teams: D

Although Lenzie Jackson and David Patten were impressive in punt- and kickoff-return work. This field-position battle was lost by poor coverage and the impressive work of Josh Miller. Punter Chris Gardocki needs to visit the weight room more often if he plans to tangle with the Steelers' linebacker corps -- he certainly was intimidated yesterday.

Coaching: C-

Poor play selection and inadequate clock management contributed to the Steelers' loss. The halfback pass was a good idea, but Jerome Bettis threw it to the wrong receiver. Consider this: You use your last timeout, then run a draw, next a spike, and finally a sack. No field-goal attempt and the game is over. What a way to lose.

Coaching: B

Good things come to those with patience; Chris Palmer and staff exhibited the patience necessary to transform an expansion team into an NFL contender. Piece by piece, the Cleveland package continues to improve.

Team Score: 78

Team Score: 81

Key

100-95

Super Bowl performance

94-90

Division title contenders

89-80

Wild Card possibility

79-70

Shooting for high draft picks in 2000

69-less

Check waiver wire