Deshaun Watson threw for 268 yards and set up Andre Szmyt’s career‑long 56‑yard field goal with just ten seconds left on the clock, giving Cleveland a 27‑24 triumph over Pittsburgh on Thursday night. Watson completed 24 of 33 attempts, posting one touchdown and one interception, and was four‑for‑five for 46 yards during the decisive fourth‑quarter drive – the third consecutive week he has engineered a go‑ahead series in the final period. 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 second quarter, but the Steelers rallied, erasing the deficit and tying the game at 24‑all. Aaron Rodgers delivered a three‑yard touchdown pass to tight end Pat Freiermuth with 1:44 remaining in the fourth quarter, then successfully executed a two‑point conversion, briefly putting Pittsburgh ahead.
Rodgers finished the night completing 22 of 40 passes for 299 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. He had one final opportunity to move the Steelers into field‑goal range, but Grant Delpit intercepted his pass at the Browns’ 18‑yard line with just a second left, sealing the win for Cleveland. Pittsburgh’s ground game was led by Jaylen Warren, who rushed for 93 yards on 17 carries, while wide receiver DK Metcalf contributed five receptions for 115 yards. Cleveland’s defensive unit applied relentless pressure, 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 in NFL history – with four of those triumphs coming against the Steelers. Conversely, the Steelers fell to 0‑10 on the road against AFC North foes on Thursday nights, dropping to 2‑2 overall. After the Browns went three‑and‑out on their opening drive, the Steelers answered with a 78‑yard march over 17 plays, capped by a 12‑yard shovel pass to Wilson on a jet sweep that reached the end zone. This marked the second consecutive game in which Pittsburgh scored on its first possession.
Watson’s passing total of 181 yards by halftime was the most he had accumulated in the first half of a game since joining the Browns in 2022. The Browns’ offense struck first when Jaleel McLaughlin broke a 28‑yard run for a touchdown, tying the game at 7‑7 with just over a minute left in the first half. McLaughlin evaded two tacklers at the 22‑yard line, slipped through a narrow gap at the 15‑yard line, and crossed the goal line.
That scoring drive was set up after defensive back Denzel Ward intercepted a Rodgers pass intended for Michael Pittman Jr. at the Browns’ 44‑yard line early in the second quarter. Shortly thereafter, Quinshon Judkins powered through for a two‑yard touchdown run off the right guard, giving Cleveland a 14‑7 lead. The drive was sparked by a 60‑yard pass from Watson to Denzel Boston that placed the ball at the Steelers’ 14‑yard line on the first play.
Later, Harold Fannin Jr. caught his third touchdown in two games on a two‑yard pass from Watson on a third‑and‑goal situation with 1:22 left in the half. This marked the first time since Week 13 of the 2020 season, when the Browns faced Tennessee, that Cleveland scored at least 21 points in a single quarter.
Pittsburgh managed to narrow the gap to 21‑10 just before halftime when Boswell nailed a 31‑yard field goal with eight seconds left on the clock. In the fourth quarter, Rodgers rolled to his right and found Washington for a 21‑yard touchdown, pulling the Steelers within five points at 21‑16; the subsequent two‑point conversion attempt failed.
The Steelers continued to fight, eventually tying the game at 24‑24, but the Browns responded with a methodical drive that culminated in Szmyt’s 56‑yard field goal as time expired. The dramatic finish underscored Cleveland’s resilience and highlighted Watson’s poise under pressure.
Beyond the immediate drama, the game offered several broader takeaways. First, Watson’s ability to orchestrate late‑game comebacks has become a defining feature of his tenure in Cleveland, suggesting he may be developing into a clutch performer for the franchise. Second, the Browns’ defensive front continues to excel at pressuring quarterbacks, as evidenced by the five sacks on Rodgers, reinforcing the unit’s reputation as one of the league’s most formidable pass rushes.
For the Steelers, the loss exposed lingering issues in protecting their quarterback and converting critical third‑down opportunities, especially in high‑stakes moments. While their offense displayed flashes of explosiveness – highlighted by Warren’s near‑100‑yard rushing total and Metcalf’s 115 receiving yards – the inability to sustain drives after the early surge proved costly. Looking ahead, Cleveland will aim to build on this momentum as they approach the remainder of the season, hoping to maintain their Thursday night dominance and solidify a playoff berth. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, must address its road performance against division rivals and improve its late‑game execution if it hopes to stay competitive in the AFC North.
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