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Rodgers picked, Browns win!
The Browns record a 27-24 win and are first place in the AFC North. The Steelers are 2-2. Huge win for Cleveland.
The Browns is the Browns. Once again, the Browns defeated the Steelers at home and now lead the AFC North division after four games.
Cleveland (3-1) won the game in dramatic fashion when Andre Szmyt drilled a 56-yard field goal with 10 seconds left that gave the Browns a 27-24 victory. The kick negated the Steelers' comeback bid that ultimately came up short.
The game flipped on Denzel Ward's interception of Aaron Rodgers in the second quarter. The Browns, who were trailing 7-0 at the time, scored 21 unanswered points and took a 21-10 halftime lead over the shellshocked Steelers.
Led by Rodgers, the Steelers scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns and tied the score after Rodgers ran for a 2-point conversion with 1:42 left. But Deshaun Watson responded by leading the Browns on a game-winning drive.
Watson finished the game with 268 yards with a touchdown and an interception on 24 of 33 passing. Rodgers threw for 299 yards and three touchdowns, but he also threw two interceptions.
The Browns won despite committing 14 penalties for 88 yards.
The Browns are now 5-0 all-time against the Steelers on Thursday night. They're 7-1 at home against the Steelers since 2019. Pittsburgh's last win in Cleveland was in 2021, Ben Roethlisberger's final season.
Turning point
The tone of the game changed on Ward's interception. The Steelers' offense had just driven the length of the field and their defense had already forced a pair of punts. Ward's pick clearly ignited the Browns, who scored touchdowns on each of their next three drives.
Watson does it again
Each of the Browns' wins so far has featured game-winning drives by Watson, who completed four consecutive passes for 45 yards on Cleveland's game-winning drive. Two of those completions went to Jerry Jeudy, the often-forgotten man in the Browns' offense.
Watson and the Browns weren't done in by Watson's overthrow on a third-down pass to Harold Fannin with 3:41 left and Cleveland holding a 24-16 lead (the Steelers tied the game on their ensuing possession). Watson also nearly fumbled the ball after taking a sack on the Browns' final drive.
Browns young receivers show out
Going into the game, the thought was that Watson would try to exploit the Steelers' secondary, which no longer has Joey Porter Jr. (who was traded to Dallas less than 24 hours before kickoff). Cornerback Jalen Ramsey played through a broken wrist, and Asante Samuel Jr. was benched during Pittsburgh's Week 3 win over Cincinnati, which led to more playing time for rookie Daylen Everette. The secondary suffered another blow when starting cornerback Jamel Dean left the game with an injury.
Watson took advantage of the Steelers' secondary while showcasing his talented rookie receivers Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion. The duo combined to catch 9 of 15 targets for 153 yards. Boston's 60-yard catch in the second quarter set up the Browns' go-ahead score, which was also their first rushing touchdown of the season.
Complementary football
While the Browns' success in the air was expected, their ability to run the ball was anything but. The Browns ran for 117 yards on 28 carries while scoring their first two rushing touchdowns of the season. Jaleel McLaughlin's game-tying, 28-yard touchdown run was a thing of beauty.
Some of Cleveland's success on the ground can be attributed to Steelers defensive tackle Derrick Harmon leaving the game with an injury during the first half. Harmon was carted into the locker room and did not return.
Frustrating night for the Steelers
Pittsburgh's fourth quarter comeback doesn't erase what was an ugly overall performance in all three phases.
The offensive line struggled to protect Rodgers, who was sacked five times. It was an especially tough night for rookie right tackle Max Iheanachor, who was making his second start and first start on the road.
Rodgers' toughness and resilience were impressive, but he made notable mistakes, including inaccurate throws and dropped passes. He specifically missed DK Metcalf downfield on what could have been a big play.
Rodgers also lost his composure several times. A shot of him yelling in the direction of McCarthy in the first half quickly went viral. McCarthy, according to the video, did not appreciate Rodgers' actions at that moment.
Defensively, the Steelers looked discombobulated in the second quarter, allowing 21 unanswered points. It was a particularly poor showing for linebacker Patrick Queen, who missed several tackles.
Pittsburgh's defense eventually settled in and forced two turnovers in the second half. But they were unable to stop the Browns' offense in the game's final moments.
Like Rodgers, TJ Watt also had a frustrating moment that quickly went viral.
What does this loss mean for the Steelers? It makes their eventual road to the playoffs considerably daunting. Given how hard their schedule is after their Week 9 bye, the Steelers probably need to go at least 5-3 during their first eight games if they are going to make the playoffs. After their 2-2 start, the Steelers will need to go on a tear between Weeks 5-8. They host the Browns in Week 8.
Graham hurt
Browns stellar defensive lineman, Mason Graham, left the game early in the first quarter with a knee injury and did not return. Graham had four sacks in Cleveland's first two games.
