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, clinching a 27‑24 triumph for Cleveland 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 that put the Browns ahead for the third consecutive week. The Browns, now standing at 3‑1 for the first time since the 2021 campaign, entered the second half with a comfortable 21‑7 lead.
However, the Steelers rallied, erasing the deficit and tying the game at 24‑all. In the closing moments of regulation, Aaron Rodgers delivered a three‑yard touchdown pass to tight end Pat Freiermuth with 1:44 remaining, and then slipped into the end zone himself on a two‑point conversion, briefly giving Pittsburgh the edge. Rodgers, who finished 22‑of‑40 for 299 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions, had one more opportunity to shift the contest into field‑goal range. His final pass was intercepted by Grant Delpit at the Browns’ 18‑yard line with just one second left, sealing Cleveland’s win.
Pittsburgh’s ground game was anchored by Jaylen Warren, who amassed 93 rushing yards on 17 carries, while wide receiver DK Metcalf contributed five receptions for 115 yards. Defensively, Cleveland applied relentless pressure, sacking Rodgers five times throughout the night.
The victory extended Cleveland’s streak of Thursday night wins to eight straight contests – 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 (2‑2) have now lost all ten of their Thursday road games against AFC North foes. The game opened with Cleveland quickly going three‑and‑out, after which Pittsburgh engineered a 78‑yard drive over 17 plays.
The drive culminated in quarterback Wilson executing a shovel pass that he carried 12 yards around the left end on a jet sweep, marking the second consecutive week the Steelers reached the end zone on their opening possession. Watson’s passing production was notable; he had accumulated 181 yards by halftime, the most he had thrown in a single half since joining the Browns in 2022. The Browns’ offense struck first when Jaleel McLaughlin tied the score at 7‑7 with a 28‑yard sprint around the right end, breaking two tackles at the 22‑yard line and slipping through a narrow gap at the 15‑yard line to cross the plane. That drive was set up after cornerback Denzel Ward intercepted a Rodgers pass intended for Michael Pittman Jr.
at the Browns’ 44‑yard line on the second play of the second quarter. Cleveland then seized a 14‑7 lead midway through the second quarter when Quinshon Judkins powered in a two‑yard run off the right guard. The score came just three plays after Watson connected with Denzel Boston on a 60‑yard bomb that placed the ball at the Steelers’ 14‑yard line to start the drive.
Later, Harold Fannin Jr. added his third touchdown in two games, catching a two‑yard pass from Watson on a third‑and‑goal situation with 1:22 left in the half. This marked the first occasion since Week 13 of the 2020 season, when the Browns faced Tennessee, that Cleveland recorded at least 21 points in a single quarter.
Pittsburgh narrowed the gap to 21‑10 when Boswell nailed a 31‑yard field goal with eight seconds remaining before halftime. Early 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 attempt failed.
The Steelers continued to battle, 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 ability to execute under pressure. Beyond the on‑field action, the matchup highlighted several broader narratives.
Cleveland’s Thursday night dominance underscores a coaching emphasis on preparation and adaptability, while Pittsburgh’s continued struggles on the road against division rivals point to lingering issues in game‑planning and execution in hostile environments. Additionally, Watson’s evolving chemistry with his receivers, particularly the deep connection with Boston and the reliable red‑zone targeting of Fannin, suggests a growing offensive identity for the Browns. Looking ahead, the Browns aim to build on this momentum as they chase a playoff berth, while the Steelers must address their defensive lapses—especially the five sacks allowed—to remain competitive in the AFC North.
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