Browns Beat Steelers 27-24 on Szmyt's 56-Yard Field Goal
The Cleveland Browns survived a furious fourth-quarter rally from Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, winning 27-24 on Thursday Night Football after Andre Szmyt drilled a 56-yard field goal with just 10 seconds remaining.
Deshaun Watson led the game-winning drive, going 24 of 33 for 268 yards and a touchdown through the air. Watson also had a hand in Cleveland's ground attack, which produced 117 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries, including a 28-yard rushing score from Jaleel McLaughlin and a touchdown run from Quinshon Judkins. Rookie-caliber contributors Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion combined for nine catches on 15 targets for 153 yards, giving Watson reliable options underneath and down the field.
Pittsburgh's Comeback, Browns Win
Pittsburgh's night belonged to Rodgers, who threw for 299 yards and three touchdowns despite being sacked five times. He found Roman Wilson for a 12-yard score on the Steelers' opening drive, then connected with Darnell Washington on a 21-yard touchdown and Pat Freiermuth on a 3-yard score during Pittsburgh's comeback bid.
Jaylen Warren added 93 yards on 17 carries out of the backfield. But Rodgers also threw two interceptions, and the second one — on a deep throw late in the fourth quarter — effectively ended Pittsburgh's final possession before Cleveland's offense took over to set up the winning kick.
The turning point came in the second quarter, when Browns cornerback Denzel Ward intercepted Rodgers, flipping a 7-0 deficit into a stretch of 21 unanswered points for Cleveland. Linebacker Carson Schwesinger led the Browns' defense with nine tackles, while Sam Williams and Isaiah McGuire each logged a sack and four quarterback pressures as part of a pass rush that kept Rodgers under constant duress. Safety Grant Delpit sealed the win with Cleveland's third takeaway of the night.
Game Injuries
The game wasn't without injury concerns on both sides. Browns defensive lineman Mason Graham left early with a knee injury, and teammate Mike Hall Jr. was unable to put weight on his leg after being hurt. Pittsburgh had injury trouble of its own: defensive tackle Derrick Harmon was carted off and did not return, and cornerback Jamel Dean also left the game with an injury.
The win moves Cleveland to 3-1 on the season, while Pittsburgh dropped to 2-2. The Browns' defense and a timely kicking performance from Szmyt proved to be the difference in a game that featured big plays from both quarterbacks but ultimately came down to which team could finish the job in the final minute.
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