CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Do they get it?

That was the question we asked at high noon today. As it turned out, it really doesn't matter if you don't have a reliable offense.

Jason Campbell reinjured his ribs in the second quarter and left for good in the third with a concussion. But the Browns couldn't move the ball with either Campbell or Brandon Weeden in a 27-11 loss that ended their faint hopes for a meaningful December in the playoff hunt -- and left the open question of whether there are any more victories remaining in a season that has been a roller coaster of intrigue and disappointment.

So welcome to today's Megablog in the early-winter chill of Lake Erie, otherwise known as "are the Browns really going to give fans a reason for Thanksgiving this week?"

As always, we had the latest from the stadium throughout today's game, with reports from reporters and columnists from cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer, as well as observations from national voices. You're always welcome to offer your impressions in the comments below, as well as in our pre-game, halftime and post-game post.

5 p.m.:

So the blog wraps up with this comment from Weeden, asked about the reaction from the stands when he entered in the third quarter.

"They weren't booing when I threw that touchdown pass."

Weren't much cheering, either, since most were in the Muni Lot or headed back home.

We'll be back next week for the peaking Jags as they visit FirstEnergy Stadium. It's win then -- or that first-round draft pick might be getting a lot better than anyone in Berea might have imagined a few weeks ago.

4:51 p.m.:

Brandon Weeden says he hopes Jason Campbell gets back soon, "we're all in this together." But admits he would look forward to getting more reps next week. "I've never been in a situation like this (with so many QBs getting hurt), but this is the National Football League, and you've got to be ready."

On his pick-six, he was looking for Gordon, switched to Cameron and never saw William Gay in the way.

4:45 p.m.:

A soft-spoken Josh Gordon on his 14-catch, 237-yard performance.

"We didn't win ... it's all for nothing."

4:42 p.m.:

From

...

"Big-time teams don't consistently make critical mistakes. Trailing 10-3, and driving, running back Chris Ogbonnaya fumbled late in the second quarter. It was Ogobnnaya's second fumble in his last two games. The Steelers recovered and converted the mistake into a field goal for a 13-3 lead.

"That was the first buzz kill. The second momentum killer arrived midway in the third when quarterback Jason Campbell, who improved from his play last week, fumbled when sacked and the Steelers converted that mistake into a TD for a commanding lead.

"So now is the time to end dreams of a postseason berth. We're only six months away from the NFL Draft."

4:34 p.m.:

Chud: "The future is going to be bright. ... We're going to take that step. ... I firmly believe that."

Asked if the Browns just aren't ready to win meaningful games, Chudzinski concedes "the results haven't been what we want."

4:32 p.m.:

Rob Chudzinski says his team "will bounce back," with "opportunities" to still play. Says he complained to the officials, who didn't feel that Jason Campbell was hit in the head on the play that knocked him out with a concussion.

Team will look at other quarterbacks starting on Monday.

Chudzinski says that Campbell never said that his ribs were a problem, but that he "would look at the tape." That does of course, beg the question ... wouldn't the tape say he had bad ribs last week?

"Whoever the quarterback is next week, we'll get him ready to play. The guys will rally behind him, and we'll go out and play."

4:20 p.m.:

The

, from Mary Kay Cabot.

"The Browns have now lost five of their last six games and stop the folly of playoff talk. They also fell to 5-24 against the Steelers in the regular season since 1999.

"With Campbell in the locker room, Brandon Weeden was strip-sacked and threw a pick-six by cornerback William Gay in the fourth quarter. He completed 13 of 30 attempts for 209 yards. He threw for one touchdown and one interception, which was returned for a touchdown."

4:17 p.m.:

Gordon finishes the day with a team record 237 receiving yards, surpassing Ozzie Newsome, and tied Newsome's Browns record of 14 receptions.

Final: Steelers 27, Browns 11

4:10 p.m.:

After an Al Woods sack of Weeden, a short pass to Bess on fourth-and-18 is only 12 yards short of the first down. Steelers run out the clock.

Steelers 27, Browns 11; 1:57 left in fourth quarter

4:06 p.m.:

A 13th catch for Gordon gives the Browns a first down at their 23.

Donovan jokes that he'll have more people at his Thanksgiving dinner than are left in the stadium. Then again, his guests probably won't have to see Fozzy Whittaker miss two catchable balls. Gordon gets 12 more yards and another first down. Weeden scrambles for no gain at the two-minute warning.

4:01 p.m.:

As Steelers work on the clock -- and the Browns burn their timeouts -- Donovan is pondering who the Browns might pick up as backup QB help. He notes that Matt Flynn isn't available.

According to thesidelinereview.com, here's the top of the list: Vince Young, Matt Leinart, Tyler Thigpen, Byron Leftwich, David Carr, Tim Tebow, Trent Edwards.

Steelers punt, Browns start at their 2.

Steelers 27, Browns 11; 3:13 left in fourth quarter

3:55 p.m.:

Weeden hits Gordon three times on a meaningless drive that reaches the Steelers 2. Cameron can't grab the ball on a dive -- it barely eludes his grasp. Finally, Weeden finds Gordon for the touchdown. All 79 yards of the drive is Gordon's -- who has never had a shorter TD grab. Weeden hits Bess for a two-point conversion.

Actually, 12 catches for 204.

Dwyer recovers the Browns' onside kick.

3:49 p.m.:

There's no truth to the rumor that the Jaguars have been installed as a six-point favorite for next Sunday -- Las Vegas actually waits until all games are played on Sunday.

Steelers 27, Browns 3; 4:27 left in fourth quarter

3:48 p.m.:

Weeden looking for Cameron, but never sees William Gay standing in front of Cameron for what is a 22-yard TD return.

3:45 p.m.:

CBS shows that the Browns have had the ball for 54 seconds in the fourth quarter, with just 4:45 remaining. Steelers go three-and-who cares with only a handful of Steelers-clad fans remaining in the stadium. McBriar punt is a touchback.

With Jacksonville closing in on a second victory in three weeks, the Browns are about to be 4-7 with maybe just one game left in which they'll be favored the rest of the way.

3:41 p.m.:

Weeden has nothing to lose by being aggressive, and hits Gordon for 42 yards on first down from the 1. Ball originally ruled out of bounds, but linesman overrules correctly. Weeden too high for Little on first down, then misses Ogbonnaya in the open field badly when he can't move his feet in the pocket.

Weeden fumbles when he's hit by Polamalu, it's picked up by the Steelers' Cameron Heyward and returned to the Browns' 45.

"This is simply a comedy of errors," exclaims a frustrated Jim Donovan.

3:36 p.m.:

Weeden's arm is hit by Worilds, and the ball is well past Bess. Lanning's punt caught by Brown and returns six yards to their 44.

Steelers haven't run the ball all year, but they're determined to try with a 17-point lead. Bell over left tackle -- Pittsburgh has an extra lineman in the game -- for three yards. Second down over left guard has three more for Bell, who has 60 yards. Shotgun handoff for Bell gets four yards and the first down at the Browns' 45.

Bell ran up to 40 times in a game for Michigan State, so this is nothing new for him. He gets a yard on first down. D'Qwell Jackson playing aggressively on second down drags down Bell at the 43. On third-and-8, Roethlisberger hits Sanders against Chris Owens -- playing way off the line of scrimmage -- for 10 yards and a first down. Yes, you're allowed to ask why anyone would play defense BEHIND the sticks.

Bell, with former Ohio State lineman Mike Adams giving him a serious push, gets four up the middle. Bell's seventh carry of this drive gets four, and his eighth gets five more and a first down.

Dwyer replaces Bell -- who has 76 yards in 20 carries -- for no gain. Reverse to Antonio Brown stopped for an eight-yard loss by T.J. Ward. CBS's Wilcots praises Ward ("he's still competing"). On third down, Dwyer drops a short flip. On fourth-and-18, Roethlisberger pooch punts perfectly to the Browns' 1. Emmanuel Sanders grabs the lefty punt perfectly with 6:54 left.

Steelers 20, Browns 3; end of third quarter

3:23 p.m.:

Steelers nearly have another big play, but Roethlisberger underthrows Jerrico Cotchery at the Browns 20. On third-and-10 at the Steelers 47, Barkevious Mingo breaks in clean and forces a wobbly incompletion. McBriar's punt is nearly blocked, as Haden runs into McBriar -- it's ruled a five-yard penalty and Browns start at their 18.

Steelers' Curtis Brown injures left knee on punt coverage.

Greg Little drops an eight-yard gain -- the second of the day by the Browns with Weeden in the game. Dumpoff to Ogbonnaya gets four yards. Browns let the clock run out on the quarter.

3:14 p.m.:

Weeden sneaks for the first down. Crowd cheers, but Doug Dieken wonders on the radio how risky the move is with no QBs left on the roster.

Weeden hits Cameron for 12 yards to the Browns 48. Weeden to Gordon for eight yards. Whittaker against a Steelers run blitz is a yard short of the first down. McGahee spins over the center and gets the first down at the Pittsburgh 42.

Weeden knocked down by Worilds as his throw for Cameron is well wide at the 30. Weeden shows off his arm with a line-drive throw to Little to the 29 for a first down. Browns try a delayed handoff to Whittaker which gets just a yard. Weeden looks for Cameron inside the 10, but he trips over Allen's feet. Weeden to Bess is incomplete with Taylor and Bess colliding at the 25.

Cundiff from 46 is yanked severely wide left by the wind with 2:18 remaining.

3:05 p.m.:

Whittaker returns to 24 as Weeden takes over while Campbell is carted off the field. His head droops nearly to his chest the entire time to the tunnel.

Whittaker for three yards on a pitch right. Weeden, of course, is in a no-win situation here, as his throw for Bess is deflected at the line of scrimmage and is three yards short of Bess at the 35. On third-and-7, Bess makes a diving catch two feet short of the first down. Browns look to go for it, but the Steelers call timeout.

Steelers 20, Browns 3; 7:43 left in third quarter

3 p.m.:

Steelers run a pick play to the right, and Buster Skrine can't keep up with Sanders, who has an easy TD catch.

2:58 p.m.:

Steelers lose the challenge and Browns take over at their 45. Campbell to Gordon on a cross for eight yards. McGahee now in the backfield, and he gets the first down to the Steelers' 42.

Campbell on a quick hitch to Bess for three, with Wil Allen making a tenacious stop. Against just a four-man rush, Campbell can't find anyone and throws the ball away. On third-and-7, William Gay comes free on a blitz from the left side, blasts Campbell, who fumbles and the ball is returned to the Browns 5 by Allen, Ogbonnaya preventing the touchdown.

Campbell staggered again and needs help to leave the field.

2:52 p.m.:

Steelers facing a wobbly opponent on their first possession of the half. Roethlisberger hit hard by Ahtyba Rubin, but throws deep for Brown. Haden has solid position and Brown plays defense to prevent the interception.

Delayed screen to Bell gets 11 to the 32. Bell over left tackle for six and Browns don't seem to have an answer. Chris Owens too far off Sanders, who gets seven yards and a first down with a quick out. At their 46, it's Miller in the right flat for six more yards. Roethlisberger is razor sharp now. Desmond Bryant denies Bell a first down, pulling him down at the Browns' 45.

On third-and-1, Jonathan Dwyer stopped by Phil Taylor and Kruger for no gain. Steelers will go for it -- for real, this time. Dwyer again up the middle, and Taylor and Rubin force the play. Steelers challenging the spot.

2:45 p.m.:

Browns get the ball at their 20 after a touchback. Campbell back at QB. Whittaker gets five on a pitch sweep left, could have had more except he stumbled over a prone Ike Taylor. Campbell can't find an open target and throws it away on second down. On third-and-5, Campbell hits Little for three yards, and Wil Allen denies him any yards after the catch. Ah, the baffling three-yard route on third-and-5.

Antonio Brown fair catch at the Steelers 21.

2:39 p.m.:

From

for the second half:

"Sunday's first half confirmed what we thought last week – that Jason Campbell is playing with injured ribs suffered against Baltimore three weeks ago. He was reluctant to move out of the pocket in Cincinnati. Against the Steelers, he was more willing but unable to avoid reinjuring his ribs on a scramble in the first half.

"Campbell was his most effective against Kansas City and Baltimore, though, when he could tuck it and run for short gains to keep drives alive. If he can't do that, the Browns are going to need big plays from Gordon and their defense to win this game."

From Terry Pluto:

"Watching a game like this in the cold and wind, it makes you think that a team that scores 2 TDs will win."

2:31 p.m.:

Sputtering offense an issue as Steelers have a 216-139 edge in yards, 12-7 in first downs.

Halftime: Steelers 13, Browns 3

2:27 p.m.:

Bouncing ball nearly eludes Whittaker at the 17. Browns take a knee to end the quarter. Boos come down.

Steelers 13, Browns 3; 0:07 left in second quarter

2:26 p.m.:

Haden lucky to not be called for interference after grabbing the back of Brown's jersey and then spiking the ball away at the goal line. Bell has 10 yards -- and maybe a score -- on a short swing in the right flat, but drops the ball as Tashaun Gipson delivers a hit at the 5. Suisham's field goal is good from 32 yards.

2:23 p.m.:

Bell gets 12 yards on delayed handoff, breaking tackles of at least six Browns. Roethlisberger hits Sanders for seven at the 35. Roethlisberger hits Miller -- you can hear the Steelers fans' "Heeeeath" chant for a first down at the 27. Steelers call timeout with 37 seconds remaining.

Browns desperate for a big defensive play, but have been unable to really bother Roethlisberger. Miller beats Jabaal Sheard off the line and is an easy pitch and catch for Roethlisberger at the Browns 14. Browns charged with a timeout with Carder down on the field with 20 seconds.

2:19 p.m.:

With three timeouts in hand, Campbell hits Gordon for 10 yards as Ike Taylor is playing super deep off the line. At the Browns' 46, Ogbonnaya has eight yards before he's stripped by Polamalu, who recovers at the Steelers 45. It's an automatic review -- replays don't look encouraging -- and the call stands, says referee Terry McAuley.

Pressure now officially on the Browns' defense.

Steelers 10, Browns 3; 1:56 left in first half

2:14 p.m.:

The early news isn't good.

...But Campbell returns as Browns start at their 20. Steelers send five, but Campbell has time to hit Gordon, who goes OB at the Steelers 36. Campbell goes too deep for Gordon at the Steelers' 30 as we hit the two-minute warning.

Steelers 10, Browns 3; 2:33 left in second quarter

2:10 p.m.:

Bubble screen to Sanders gets 11 to the Browns' 41. Joe Haden's difficult half continues as Brown is five yards past the cornerback and easily waits for the TD throw at the goal line. Haden lost contact searching for the ball around the 15.

Campbell throwing on the Browns' bench.

2:08 p.m.:

Steelers have a big cushion on Gordon, and Browns take advantage with a quick flip for 11 yards. Whittaker gets three over left tackle. Campbell rolls right and throws high to Gordon as Worilds trips up Campbell, who stays down after potentially slamming his ribs pretty well.

In comes Brandon Weeden for a third-and-7. Boos can be heard clearly. Jim Donovan says he's hoping Weeden "is wearing an 'S' on his chest" as he pulled off his cape. Weeden hits Cameron in the hands at the 34 for a first down, but Cameron has it slip away.

Lanning's punt returned 14 yards by Brown to the Steelers 48 with 3:17 remaining.

2 p.m.:

Steelers add a lineman, but Roethlisberger hits Antonio Brown for four yards as Haden misses a tackle at the line of scrimmage. Browns zone blitz on second down, and Paul Kruger tracks down Felix Jones on a screen after three yards. With flurries falling on third-and-3, Antonio Brown on a cross beats Skrine for a first down at the 30.

Brown beats Haden to a high ball at the 39 for nine yards. Jones pushes to a first down at the 41 despite a quick hit by T.J. Ward. Seven-yard catch by Sanders is wasted by illegal formation by tackle Marcus Gilbert. On first-and-15 at the 37, Haden is caught backpedalling -- with a push from Brown -- as Roethlisberger is accurate for 20 yards to Brown to the Browns' 47. Browns getting no pressure at all, and Roethlisberger just misses Brown at the Browns 36.

Quick throw to Johnathan Dwyer gets just a yard thanks to quick reaction by Ward. On third-and-9, Browns blitz six and Roethlisberger can't get a middle screen set up quickly enough. Bess has a fair catch of McBriar's punt at the Browns' 13.

Steelers have done enough to flip the field and Browns need to generate some offense to prevent a late-quarter scoring chance for Pittsburgh.

1:51 p.m.:

Browns line up Cameron and Burnidge on the left side, and Burnidge makes a nice block on Jones as Ogbonnaya gains 10 to the Steelers 43. Short crossing route to Cameron gets four. Alex Mack has the ball stick on the ground and is flagged five yards on the second-down snap.

Steelers sniff out a screen to Ogbonnaya and Campbell has to throw it away. On third-and-11, Campbell flushed right as Jason Worilds foces a weak throw to Cameron which Polamalu nearly intercepts. Lanning's punt goes OB at the 10 with 9:41 left in the half.

1:45 p.m.:

Two runs by Bell get eight yards. On third-and-2 just beyond the 11, Roethlisberger stares down Miller -- who was double covered -- and D'Qwell Jackson nearly picks it off for a score. McBriar's punt dribbles over the 50 and is downed at the Browns' 47.

Defense has provided excellent field position. Can the Browns capitalize?

1:40 p.m.:

Best news for the Browns' offense to start the game was a 6.2 yards per play average in the first 15 minutes.

On second-and-7 at the 40, Campbell scrambles right and hits Whittaker for five yards at the Steelers sideline. On third-and-2, Campbell is sacked by Jones and Cameron Heyward at the 46. Spencer Lanning -- after two blocks last week -- spins his punt back to the Steelers 6, and Pittsburgh is flagged for illegal block and will start at the 3.

Browns 3, Steelers 3; end of first quarter

1:35 p.m.:

Rookie Jarvis Jones (a Browns fan favorite leading up to the draft) stops a quick flip to Gordon for two. Whittaker over right tackle stopped by Polamalu for a yard. On third-and-7, Campbell finds Cameron against LB Lawrence Timmons for an easy catch and run for a first down at the 39.

Willis McGahee gets a carry and four yards over right guard. Steelers have eight in the box and hold McGahee to three yards as Doug Dieken laments the veteran's lack of speed with a cutback lane open to the right. On third-and-3, Campbell turns down a covered Bess at the 50 and finds Ogbonnaya for a first down at the Steelers 43.

Ogbonnaya gets two yards with defensive tackle Steve McLendon making the tackle and then injuring his left leg as the quarter ends.

1:28 p.m.:

Mat McBriar's punt goes OB at the Browns 19. Another TV timeout. How does any team build momentum with this many breaks? Sigh.

1:26 p.m.:

Steelers start at their 16 after nice tackle by Jordan Poyer. Flat pass to fullback Will Johnson gets nine, and Bell converts the first down up the middle to the 28.

Steelers empty backfield on first down. Miller gains three on short dumpoff left. Roethlisberger starts 4-for-4. His fifth pass is well behind Antonio Brown at the 35 with some space against Joe Haden. On third-and-7, Browns all standing at the line of scrimmage. Roethlisberger hits Bell to the 38, which is a yard short of the sticks. Steelers show they'll go for it. It's a bid to draw off the defense, which fails and the Steelers call timeout with 4:33 left.

Browns 3, Steelers 3; 7:21 left in first quarter

1:19 p.m.:

Campbell dumpoff to Ogbonnaya is bounced, with Troy Polamalu closing in. Quick bubble screen left to Davone Bess good for five. On third-and-5, Campbell gets good protection and finds Josh Gordon, who blazes past William Gay to the Steelers 36 for 24 yards. Campbell just a little too high for Jordan Cameron at the sidelines at the 25. On second down, Gary Barnidge is flagged for a false start.

On second-and-15, Ogbonnaya up the middle gets six. CBS shows graphic that Browns haven't scored a TD on their first possession in 18 games. Quick out to Bess gets just four yards --- conservative call to set up Cundiff for a 49-yarder which he drills easily.

Phil Who?

1:12 p.m.:

Fozzy Whittaker finds a lane up the left side for a 32-yard kickoff return to the Browns 35. CBS, needing to fit in some commercials, goes to a break.

Steelers 3, Browns 0; 10:03 left in first quarter

1:09 p.m.:

With an extra tackle on the line, Roethlisberger hits Emmanuel Sanders, who fakes out Buster Skrine up the right sideline for 15 yards. LeVeon Bell gets two off left guard, then a hesitation handoff to Bell gets 18 up the middle to the Browns 45. Tank Carder is playing linebacker for Craig Robertson. Short gain by Bell sets up second-and-8, with Roethlisberger escaping Jabaal Sheard and finding Heath Miller to the 31. First-down handoff to Bell -- Steelers playing at a no-huddle pace -- gets four yards. T.J. Ward on a run blitz stops Bell for a yard loss.

On third-and-7, Steelers elect to run Bell off left tackle -- who goes nowhere with Billy Winn and Chris Owens closing quickly. Shaun Suisham's 47-yard field goal just climbs over the crossbar.

1:03 p.m.:

Billy Cundiff's kickoff -- with Leon McFadden holding the ball on the tee -- is returned two yards deep by Felix Jones to the 25. Wind chill? It's 12 degrees.

1 p.m.:

Steelers call tails, lose the coin toss, will start the game on offense.

12:55 p.m.:

Kevin Harlan and Solomon Wilcots are a familiar sight for a Browns game. Their pre-kickoff themes focus on the Steelers being resilient particularly after last week's comeback win over Detroit. Wilcots praises Jason Campbell's "calming effect" on the Browns' offense, but cites Campbell's rib injury last week vs. Cincinnati and reports that Campbell says he's 100 percent today.

12:51 p.m.:

No surprise, but Bernie Kosar is definitely pumped up this afternoon.

12:49 p.m.:

Browns, wearing all brown, get the nod on CBS' pre-game show from ... well, no one. They apparently don't merit discussion against Jets-Ravens, Giants-Cowboys and Broncos-Patriots.

Back to normal, it seems.

12:35 p.m.:

How does

"A win today won't exactly make the statement that the Browns have a comparable quarterback in Jason Campbell. More likely, it'll scream that their defense isn't just the equal of their AFC North rivals but better than Baltimore's and Pittsburgh's at this point.

"The only question is whether it will be after Ray Horton leaves for a head coaching job. (Always thinking positive here in C-Town)"

12:30 p.m.:

Here's today's inactive list.

Browns: DE Armonty Bryant, OT Reid Fragel, OT Garrett Gilkey, TE MarQueis Gray, C Patrick Lewis, ILB Craig Robertson, T Martin Wallace

Steelers: TE Richard Gordon, QB Landry Jones, DE Brett Keisel, WR Derek Moye, LB Stevenson Sylvester, SS Shamarko Thomas, OLB LaMarr Woodley.