Deshaun Watson orchestrated a 268‑yard aerial attack that set up Andre Szmyt’s career‑long 56‑yard field goal with just ten seconds left on the clock, sealing a 27‑24 victory for Cleveland over Pittsburgh on Thursday night. Watson’s stat line read 24 completions on 33 attempts, one touchdown and one interception, and he was remarkably efficient in the decisive fourth‑quarter drive, completing four of five passes for 46 yards to 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—and built a 21‑7 advantage late in the first half. However, the Steelers responded in kind, clawing back to a 24‑24 deadlock.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers connected with tight end Pat Freiermuth on a three‑yard touchdown pass with 1:44 remaining in the game, and then scrambled for a successful two‑point conversion, briefly giving Pittsburgh the lead. Rodgers, who finished 22‑for‑40 for 299 yards, three touchdowns and two picks, had one final opportunity to drive the Steelers into field‑goal range.
That chance evaporated when Grant Delpit intercepted his pass at the Cleveland 18‑yard line with only one second left, effectively ending Pittsburgh’s comeback hopes. 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. Cleveland’s defensive front was relentless, sacking Rodgers five times and consistently pressuring the Steelers’ offense throughout the contest. The win extended Cleveland’s streak of Thursday night triumphs to eight straight games—a franchise record and the longest active run in the league, ranking fourth overall in NFL history.
Four of those victories have come against the Steelers, underscoring Cleveland’s dominance in these prime‑time matchups. Conversely, Pittsburgh’s Thursday night record on the road against AFC North foes sits at 0‑10, highlighting the difficulty the Steelers have faced in these situations. The game’s opening series saw Cleveland go three‑and‑out, after which Pittsburgh marched 78 yards over 17 plays. The drive culminated in a creative shovel‑pass play: Wilson took a hand‑off and then pitched the ball to a teammate who sprinted 12 yards around the left end on a jet sweep, marking the second consecutive week the Steelers scored on their first possession.
Watson’s first‑half passing total of 181 yards was the most he had produced in the opening 30 minutes of a game since joining the Browns in 2022. The Browns’ offense found balance early, with Jaleel McLaughlin breaking a 28‑yard run for a touchdown that tied the game at 7‑7 with just over a minute left in the first half. McLaughlin evaded two tacklers at the 22‑yard line and slipped through a narrow gap at the 15‑yard line before crossing the plane. That drive was set up by a pivotal play from Cleveland’s secondary: 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, giving Cleveland favorable field position. Soon after, the Browns reclaimed the lead at 14‑7 when Quinshon Judkins powered into the end zone on a two‑yard rush off the right guard.
The touchdown came just three plays after Watson launched a 60‑yard bomb to Denzel Boston, who then delivered the ball to Judkins for the score. Harold Fannin Jr. added another short‑range score, 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. This burst of scoring made it the first time since Week 13 of the 2020 season—when the Browns faced Tennessee—that Cleveland posted at least 21 points in a single quarter.
Pittsburgh narrowed the gap before halftime when Boswell nailed a 31‑yard field goal with eight seconds remaining, making it 21‑10. The Steelers continued to fight in the second half; 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. Their two‑point conversion attempt failed, but the Steelers kept pressing.
Despite multiple opportunities, the Steelers could not complete the comeback. After tying the game at 24‑24, they were thwarted by the Browns’ disciplined special teams unit.
With ten seconds left, Szmyt’s 56‑yard field goal sailed through the uprights, giving Cleveland a three‑point edge that held until the final whistle. The victory not only highlighted Watson’s poise under pressure but also reinforced Cleveland’s reputation as a Thursday night powerhouse. Their defense’s ability to generate pressure—five sacks on Rodgers alone—combined with timely turnovers, proved decisive.
Meanwhile, the Steelers’ resilience was evident in their ability to erase a 14‑point deficit, yet they fell short in the closing moments. Looking ahead, the Browns aim to build on this momentum as they continue their pursuit of a playoff berth, while the Steelers must regroup after a disappointing Thursday night road record. Fans can catch every subsequent game of the 2026 NFL season on Sky Sports, including full coverage of the playoffs and Super Bowl LXI scheduled for Sunday, February 14, 2027. For those interested in streaming options, Sky Sports offers flexible, contract‑free packages through the NOW platform.