I thought this game would be garbage, but I was WRONG.
The Cleveland Browns survived a furious Pittsburgh Steelers comeback on Thursday Night Football, winning 27–24 on a 56-yard field goal with 15 seconds remaining before Grant Delpit intercepted Aaron Rodgers to finally end it.
This game had a little bit of everything. Cleveland scored 21 unanswered points in the second quarter, Pittsburgh’s offensive line spent much of the night getting Aaron Rodgers killed, the Steelers somehow fought all the way back to tie the game at 24, and then Cleveland delivered when it mattered most.
First Quarter: Pittsburgh Strikes First
Pittsburgh opened the scoring late in the first quarter when Rodgers found Roman Wilson for a 12-yard touchdown, giving the Steelers a 7–0 lead.
That would be Pittsburgh’s only touchdown of the first half.
Cleveland’s defense began generating consistent pressure on Rodgers, something that would become one of the biggest stories of the night. The Browns entered the game with one of the NFL’s highest pressure rates, and Pittsburgh struggled to keep Rodgers comfortable throughout the game.
Second Quarter: Cleveland Takes Over
The second quarter belonged completely to Cleveland.
Jaleel McLaughlin exploded for a 28-yard touchdown run to tie the game at seven. Not long afterward, rookie running back Quinshon Judkins powered his way down to the goal line before finishing the drive with a two-yard touchdown, putting Cleveland ahead 14–7.
The Browns weren’t finished.
Rookie receiver Denzel Boston turned a short reception into a massive 60-yard gain, helping Cleveland flip the field and continue attacking a Pittsburgh defense that suddenly couldn’t slow the Browns down.
Then, with 1:22 remaining before halftime, Deshaun Watson found Harold Fannin Jr. for a two-yard touchdown, completing Cleveland’s run of 21 unanswered points.
Pittsburgh did manage to salvage something before halftime. A huge catch and run by Roman Wilson quickly moved the Steelers into scoring range, and Chris Boswell connected from 31 yards as time wound down.
Cleveland went into halftime leading 21–10.
Third Quarter: Turnovers Change Everything
Neither offense found much rhythm coming out of halftime, with both teams opening the second half with three-and-outs.
Pittsburgh desperately needed something to change, and its defense finally provided it.
Watson attempted to keep the ball on a zone read, but the Steelers forced a fumble and recovered it. Pittsburgh couldn’t fully capitalize, however, as Cleveland’s pressure continued to destroy promising possessions.
Then came one of the strangest and most important plays of the game.
Watson threw deep and was initially intercepted, but defensive pass interference appeared to give Cleveland the ball deep in Pittsburgh territory. Replay showed that the pass had been tipped before the contact, eliminating the interference. The interception therefore stood.
Instead of Cleveland threatening to extend its lead, Pittsburgh suddenly had possession.
Fourth Quarter: Rodgers Somehow Brings Pittsburgh Back
Rodgers immediately started attacking downfield.
He connected with DK Metcalf for 43 yards, but once again Pittsburgh’s offensive line became the problem. Rodgers spent much of the night under pressure and was repeatedly hit or forced out of comfortable pockets.
Eventually, Rodgers decided to create something himself.
He escaped the pocket and fired a 21-yard touchdown to Darnell Washington, cutting Cleveland’s lead to 21–16 after Pittsburgh failed on the two-point conversion.
Cleveland responded with a field goal to make it 24–16, but Pittsburgh wasn’t finished.
Metcalf became Rodgers’ biggest weapon on the final comeback attempt. He made multiple huge catches, including a contested grab over a defensive back and another big reception along the sideline. Metcalf finished the night with five catches for 115 yards.
With 1:46 remaining, Rodgers found Pat Freiermuth for a three-yard touchdown.
Pittsburgh still needed two.
An offside penalty moved the Steelers closer to the goal line, and Rodgers took advantage by sneaking the ball across himself.
24–24.
After trailing 21–10 at halftime and struggling to protect Rodgers for much of the night, Pittsburgh had somehow tied the game.
Cleveland Gets the Last Word
Watson got the football back with less than two minutes remaining and Cleveland moved into Pittsburgh territory.
The drive wasn’t perfect. Watson took a sack and eventually faced a difficult third down, but Cleveland got close enough to give kicker Andre Szmyt a chance from 56 yards.
With 15 seconds remaining, Szmyt drilled it.
Browns 27, Steelers 24.
Pittsburgh still had one final opportunity, but it lasted exactly one offensive play.
Rodgers tried to force the ball downfield and Grant Delpit intercepted him, ending the game.
Pittsburgh’s Offensive Line Let Rodgers Down
Rodgers’ final interception will go on the stat sheet, but Pittsburgh’s protection was a problem throughout the night.
The Steelers repeatedly allowed Cleveland defenders into the backfield, disrupting drives before routes could develop and forcing Rodgers to create outside the structure of the offense.
Despite that, Rodgers still finished 22-of-40 for 299 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. He nearly dragged Pittsburgh all the way back from an 11-point halftime deficit.
Metcalf also delivered his best moments when Pittsburgh desperately needed them, repeatedly winning contested catches during the fourth-quarter comeback.
But Pittsburgh simply made Rodgers’ job too difficult for too much of the night.
Cleveland Finds Another Way to Win
Watson finished 24-of-33 for 268 yards, one touchdown and one interception, while also making plays with his legs. Boston continued his impressive rookie start with 89 receiving yards, and Cleveland received touchdowns from McLaughlin, Judkins and Fannin.
It wasn’t clean. Cleveland committed penalties, turned the ball over twice and watched an 11-point halftime lead completely disappear.
But when Pittsburgh finally tied the game, Watson and the Browns responded.
One final drive.
One 56-yard field goal.
One final interception.
Browns 27, Steelers 24.
Cleveland survives a wild AFC North battle on Thursday Night Football.
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