Joe Thomas retired in 2017 — but that hasn't stopped him from ripping his old rivals in Pittsburgh when given the chance.
Recently, Thomas quote-tweeted a final-score graphic from ESPN showing the Steelers' 27-14 win over the Dolphins on Monday Night Football.
Needless to say, Thomas, the former All-Galaxy left tackle for the Browns, wasn't impressed:
Ease up Steeler fans, you guys just beat a team that is trying to lose, and if it hadn’t been for management of the Dolphins using the Batphone on the third and long to purposely give you a touchdown, you would have lost at home...in prime Time. Let that sink in @stephenasmith https://t.co/s6VvJFRtyf
— Joe Thomas (@joethomas73) October 29, 2019
As Thomas mentions, the Dolphins are winless in 2019, and they seem to actually crave that result, trading away their best assets throughout the year — including star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Steelers — in an effort to accumulate draft picks for the future.
All that said, the Dolphins jumped out to an early 14-0 lead, shocking the Steelers at home in the first half of their Monday night encounter. Then, however, the Steelers took over, tallying this touchdown on 3rd-and-long just before the half that drew them within four and sealed the momentum in their favor for the rest of the game.
That's 3rd-and-20 and it's ... Cover 0 from the Dolphins? Bold strategy. Thomas wasn't impressed, as he indicated above.
Then, Thomas took it a step further, laying down a bet for Stephen A. Smith.
Smith believes the Steelers will beat the Browns twice this year. Thomas does not:
Also, @stephenasmith still thinks the Steelers are gonna beat the Browns twice this year? I would love to make a Gentlemans wager on that one! HA!
PS: You are right about Mike Tomlin though, he’s an excellent coach and does not get enough credit
— Joe Thomas (@joethomas73) October 29, 2019
Currently, the Steelers, at 3-4, are ahead of the 2-5 Browns by one game in the AFC North standings. They'll face each other in Week 11 on Thursday Night Football in Cleveland before turning around and running it back Week 13 at Heinz Field.
Buried within that last tweet, however, check out Thomas' praise of Mike Tomlin. Steeler Nation may not agree at times, but Tomlin wins football games at a nearly unmatched clip, going 128-70-1 (.646) throughout his 13-year coaching career.
That's pretty solid.
HUNTER'S VIEW
Let's establish out of the gates this is all silly and in good fun. Thomas obviously believes in his former team.
Objectively, though, the Steelers and Browns have both underachieved expectations in 2019.
Both teams lost to the Seahawks, Patriots and 49ers. The Browns thumped the Ravens, 40-25, while the Steelers lost to the Ravens, 26-23, in overtime. The Browns other victory came against the 1-6 Jets, while the Steelers have beaten the 0-8 Bengals, the 3-5 Chargers and the 0-7 Dolphins.
Nothing to brag about anywhere.
The Steelers do boast the league's second-best turnover differential at +10 (second to the undefeated Patriots' +17), while the Browns are tied for 30th at -9 in the category, largely thanks to Baker Mayfield tossing 12 interceptions through seven games. He threw just 14 interceptions total as a rookie in 13 starts in 2018.
That could make the difference when the two teams face off.
Personally, I see the Steelers team gelling a bit more and only improving as the season stretches on. Their defense forms an identity for the squad as a whole, and against Mayfield and company, I think they will feast, giving Mason Rudolph short fields to work with and helping the struggling offense to put up points.
I side with Smith. Steelers sweep the Browns this year.
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