CLEVELAND — Nothing says AFC North football like a snow game, and under the primetime lights in the rivalry matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, that's exactly what we got.
At kickoff, the air was crisp outside off the shores of Lake Erie, but the field was clear, and the weather wasn't much at play.
But in the second half, the skies opened up and the snow began to fall.
At 9:57 p.m., this is what the field looked like inside Huntington Bank Field:
Exactly 10 minutes later, this was the scene inside the stadium:
Heavy flakes quickly coated the field. Crews had to come out with shovels and brushes to clear the lines on the gridiron. There were even some whiteout conditions as the wind whipped the snow through the air.
The Browns expected this kind of matchup heading into Thursday night. This is the environment that historically sets the AFC North apart.
"Just growing up seeing the blood, sweat and tears that happened in these games. These games are hard nose, hard-fought, true definition, cold weather, football weather, football games. This is the premiere," quarterback Jameis Winston said on Tuesday.
The Browns went on to beat the Steelers in a down-to-the-wire game, 24-19. A Steelers Hail Mary attempt was batted down in the end zone, sealing the Browns win. As soon as the play was dead, Browns players began having snowball fights with each other and some, including safety Rodney McLeod and defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II dropped to the ground and started doing snow angels.
"It was like the funnest, craziest game ever," said wide receiver Elijah Moore. "I was trying to stay locked in, but I was kind of just appreciative. I think it was so beautiful, to be honest. I thought it was super cool to play in."
Joel Bitiono, who is in his 11th season with the Browns, played in cold games in Cleveland, but none like the game Thursday that saw quick and heavy snow impact them.
"I grew up in California, but you dream about playing in a snow game like that, so that was pretty fun," said guard Joel Bitonio. "I haven't had one of these, we've had some cold games and some snow games, but nothing like this. So that was a first, but it was typical what you expect. Momentum swung both ways and then whoever kind of had the ball last had a chance to go score and we gave them a little bit of time, but our defense stepped up and got a win. But that's what I think of when I think of AFC North football."
For linebacker Mohamoud Diabate, this kind of game was one he always dreamed of playing in.
"Feels amazing, these are the games that you always watch when you were a kid. These are the big-time primetime games that I always dreamed of playing in as a kid, so being able to come out here and get a W is a big moment. I'll always remember this one," Diabate said.
For the fans at the game, conditions were cold, but some showed an appreciation for the cold and snow. Even some groups of shirtless men withstood the elements to cheer on their team. Because in a few years, with the Browns heading toward building a new domed stadium, these games might not exist in Cleveland—making these moments under the primetime lights a memory in the making.
And it certainly doesn't hurt that the game ended with a Browns win.
