Deshaun Watson orchestrated a 268‑yard passing attack that set up Andre Szmyt’s career‑long 56‑yard field goal with just ten seconds left on the clock, clinching a 27‑24 win for Cleveland over Pittsburgh on Thursday night. Watson’s stat line was impressive: he completed 24 of 33 attempts, throwing one touchdown and one interception, and he was four‑for‑five for 46 yards during the decisive fourth‑quarter drive that put the Browns ahead for the third consecutive week. The Browns entered the contest with a 3‑1 record, their best start since the 2021 season.
They built a 21‑7 advantage late in the first half, but the Steelers rallied, erasing the deficit and tying the game at 24‑all. In the closing moments of the third quarter, Aaron Rodgers connected with tight end Pat Freiermuth on a three‑yard touchdown pass with 1:44 remaining, and then successfully executed a two‑point conversion, giving Pittsburgh a brief lead. Rodgers finished the night completing 22 of 40 passes for 299 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.
He had one final opportunity to drive the Steelers into field‑goal range, but Grant Delpit intercepted his pass at the Cleveland 18‑yard line with only one second remaining, sealing the Browns’ triumph. Pittsburgh’s ground game was anchored by Jaylen Warren, who rushed for 93 yards on 17 carries, while wide receiver DK Metcalf contributed five receptions for 115 yards. Cleveland’s defense made its presence felt, sacking Rodgers five times throughout the contest.
The victory extended Cleveland’s streak of Thursday night wins to eight straight games, the longest active run in the league and the fourth‑longest Thursday night winning streak in NFL history. Four of those victories have come against the Steelers. Conversely, the Steelers fell to 0‑10 on the road against AFC North opponents on Thursday nights, dropping to a 2‑2 overall record.
The game’s opening series saw Cleveland go three‑and‑out, after which Pittsburgh responded with a 78‑yard drive spanning 17 plays. The drive culminated in a creative shovel pass to Wilson, who sprinted 12 yards around the left end on a jet sweep.
This marked the second consecutive game in which the Steelers reached the end zone on their opening possession. Watson’s passing production was notable early on; he amassed 181 yards through the first half, the most he had recorded in the opening 30 minutes of a game since joining the Browns in 2022. The Browns’ offense continued to press in the first half when Jaleel McLaughlin broke a 28‑yard run for a touchdown, tying the game at 7‑7 with just over twelve minutes left in the half. McLaughlin’s run showcased his elusiveness, as he shrugged off two tacklers at the 22‑yard line and squeezed through a narrow gap at the 15‑yard line before crossing the plane.
That drive was sparked by a pivotal play from the Browns’ secondary: Denzel Ward intercepted a Rodgers pass intended for Michael Pittman Jr. at the Cleveland 44‑yard line on the second play of the second quarter. The turnover set up a quick strike, as Watson found Denzel Boston for a 60‑yard completion that placed the ball at the Steelers’ 14‑yard line. Three plays later, Quinshon Judkins punched it in on a two‑yard run off the right guard, extending the lead to 14‑7.
Harold Fannin Jr. added to the scoreboard shortly thereafter, catching a two‑yard pass from Watson on third‑and‑goal with 1:22 left in the half, marking his third touchdown in two games. The Browns’ second‑quarter scoring burst was historic; it was the first time since Week 13 of the 2020 season, when they faced Tennessee, that Cleveland posted at least 21 points in a single quarter.
Pittsburgh narrowed the margin before halftime when Boswell nailed a 31‑yard field goal with eight seconds left, bringing the score to 21‑10. The Steelers continued to fight in the fourth quarter, with Rodgers rolling to his right and finding Washington for a 21‑yard touchdown early in the period, trimming the lead to 21‑16.
Their two‑point conversion attempt failed, but the Steelers kept pressing, eventually tying the game at 24‑24. With the game knotted, Cleveland relied on Watson’s poise.
He methodically moved the ball downfield, converting crucial third downs and eating up the clock. The drive culminated in a 56‑yard field goal attempt by Andre Szmyt, who had never attempted a kick of that distance in his career. Szmyt delivered, sending the ball through the uprights with ten seconds remaining and giving the Browns a three‑point edge. The final seconds saw the Steelers desperate for a miracle.
Rodgers attempted a deep pass, but Grant Delpit stepped in at the 18‑yard line and secured the interception as the clock ticked down to zero, cementing the Browns’ dramatic comeback victory. Beyond the immediate excitement, the win highlights several broader trends. Cleveland’s Thursday night dominance underscores the team’s ability to prepare and execute under the unique pressures of a mid‑week schedule.
Their defensive front, which recorded five sacks on Rodgers, continues to be a disruptive force against opposing quarterbacks. Meanwhile, the Steelers’ continued struggles on the road against division rivals on Thursdays point to a need for adjustments in preparation and game‑plan execution. Looking ahead, both clubs will aim to build on the lessons from this encounter.
The Browns will look to maintain their early‑season momentum, leveraging Watson’s growing confidence and the offensive line’s protection to sustain high‑scoring outputs. The Steelers, meanwhile, must address the turnover issues that plagued them—particularly the critical interceptions by Ward and Delpit—and find ways to protect Rodgers to avoid costly mistakes in clutch moments.
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