Steelers steamroll Browns to take sole possession of first place in AFC North

Pittsburgh prevails, 27-6, to improve to 6-2 on the season. The Browns fall to 5-3. 

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Mason Rudolph has replaced Aaron Rodgers at quarterback with the Steelers leading 27-6 at the 2-minute warning. Steelers are on their way to a fourth straight win and will be 6-2 entering their bye week. 

The Browns aren't able to parlay Ward's pick into points after turning the ball over on downs in the red zone. Watson had to throw it away on third down and he overthrew Denzel Boston on fourth and goal. Steelers retain 27-6 lead with 12:53 to play. They'll start their first drive of the fourth quarter inside their own 10. 

Cleveland is 3-10 on third down and 0-1 on fourth down today. 

DK Metcalf drops a wide open pass from Rodgers. Making it was worse that the ball was stolen by Denzel Ward, who gives the Browns a first down in Cleveland territory. Metcalf dropped a ton of passes early in the season had but had gotten better in recent weeks. 

A lumbering 58-yard catch and run by massive tight end Darnell Washington sets up Jaylen Warren's short TD to make it a 27-6 game with 9:39 left in the third. Washington makes up for the drop he had on the Steelers' first drive of the half. 

Darnell Washington drops a pass on second down that ultimately leads to a punt on the Steelers' first drive of the second half. Steelers miss an opportunity to add to their 20-6 lead after crossing midfield. They are able to pin the Browns inside their own 10-yard-line. 

Pat Freiermuth's sneak makes it a 20-6 lead just before halftime. Freiermuth set up his own score with a 28-yard catch. 

The Steelers' running game was the biggest difference in the first half. Warren ran for 102 yards on 10 yards in the first half as Pittsburgh outrushed Cleveland 160-26. The Steelers outgained the Browns 244-113. 

The Browns' defensive back manages to walk off under his own power with 25 seconds left in the half. The Steelers have the ball and are trying to add to their lead before intermission. 

Watson has found his rhythm after a slow start. He's got the Browns into scoring territory late in the first half. Steelers leading, 13-3. 

The Steelers and Browns begin the second quarter with field goals. The Steelers lead 10-3 midway through the second quarter. 

Cleveland's entire offense so far has been TE Harold Fannin Jr., who fumbled earlier in the half. He's caught five passes for 56 yards. No other Browns player has more than three receiving yards. 

Steelers dominate first quarter (134 yards to the Browns -1) and are in position to add to their lead at the start of the second quarter. Steelers ran for 117 yards on 11 carries in the first quarter. 

Warren scampers for a massive gain to give the Steelers a first down on the Browns' 25. Warren and Rico are the difference in this game so far. They already have a 105 yards and a TD on eight carries. 

This occurred on the Steelers' point-after attempt, with McCormick being flagged 15 yards. 

Meanwhile, the Steelers' offense ready to begin their third series after the Browns punted on their second drive. 

Several punishing runs by Rico Dowdle set up his nine-yard TD run that gives the Steelers a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter. 

Dowdle is already up to 33 yards on three carries. 

Robert Spears-Jennings and Daylen Everette combine to force a turnover by Browns TE Harold Fannin, but the Steelers aren't able to cash in after Chris Boswell misses a 54-yard FG. 

The Steelers' defense forces another turnover on the next drive though. Watson fumbled (forced by Patrick Queen) and was recovered by Keeanu Benton. 

Deshaun Watson has to leave the game after taking a hard hit on the game's third play. Shedeur Sanders is in at quarterback. 

Browns win the toss and, surprisingly, elect to receive. 

Steelers 23, Browns 13

Steelers have a clear advantage in the running game, led by Jaylen Warren, who is celebrating his 28th birthday today. If the Steelers run the ball and don't beat themselves, that should be enough for the win. 

Browns

Put pressure on Rodgers (Browns sacked him five times in Week 4)
Minimize Warren's big plays (Warren has an 80-yard TD catch and a 50-yard TD run this season) 
Win turnover battle (Pitt is +4 this season) 

Steelers

Keep Watson in the pocket 
Offense: Execute on third down and in the red zone (Steelers 4-13 on third down vs. Browns in Week 4) 
Lean on Warren and Rico (Browns are 22nd in the NFL in average YPC allowed) 

Jared Verse has made some headlines for some of his comments about the Steelers since Week 4. He made a point to walk past Cam Heyward (who took exception to Verse's comments) during pregame. 

Verse specifically alluded to "dirty" play from the Steelers during Cleveland's Week 4 win. 

With a win today, the Browns would ...

1) Win their first regular season game in Pittsburgh since 2003
2) Sweep the Steelers for the first time since 1988
3) Get one step closer towards winning their first division title since 1989

Ben Skowronek tried to give it a go, but he'll be inactive again today. A big loss for the Steelers special teams and receiving corps. 

Browns 27, Steelers 24
Rodgers: 22-40, 299 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs, sacked 5 times
Warren: 93 yards on 17 carries
Browns outrushed Steelers 112-92
Watson: 24-33, 268 yards, TD, INT, sacked twice 
Metcalf: 5 catches for 115 yards 
Boston: 4 catches for 89 yards
Denzel Ward and Grant Delpit had interceptions
Steelers 4-13 on third down, Browns 4-10
Total yards: Browns 372-361

Shedeur Sanders remains the team's No. 2 QB today vs. the Steelers. Sanders beat the Steelers in Week 17 of his rookie season. 

Welcome to our live coverage of today's big showdown between the Steelers and Browns. The winner will have first place all to themselves in the AFC North through eight weeks. 

We'll on site at Acrisure Stadium and will be providing updates throughout the game!