The Cleveland Browns extended their winning streak to three games with a 21-17 comeback victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night at FirstEnergy Stadium. Trailing 10-0 after the first quarter, the Browns surged with 21 unanswered points in the second quarter and held on despite a late rally from the Steelers.
The Steelers opened the scoring with a touchdown in the first quarter, but Cleveland responded quickly in the second. Quarterback Watson connected with Harold Fannin for a touchdown, pushing the Browns ahead. The Browns’ offense moved efficiently, converting key plays to build their lead before halftime.
Pittsburgh struggled with protection issues, as Rodgers was sacked multiple times, including a critical sack for a loss of four yards late in the game. Defensive end TJ Watt forced a fumble and recovered it at the Cleveland 50-yard line, giving the Steelers a chance to mount a comeback in the second half. Despite Watt’s efforts, the Browns’ defence remained resilient.
The third quarter saw little scoring, with the Browns running down the clock and maintaining possession. Rodgers and the Steelers offense faced difficulties establishing rhythm, with several incomplete passes and penalties stalling drives. Rodgers’ deep pass to Roman Wilson for 49 yards in the second quarter was a highlight, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap.
In the fourth quarter, the Steelers added 10 points, narrowing the deficit to just four. Rodgers found some success with short completions and a crucial 43-yard gain to Metcalf. However, a costly interception by Spears-Jennings, confirmed after a video review, halted a key Pittsburgh drive and allowed Cleveland to retain control.
Cleveland’s running game contributed with critical first downs, including a 13-yard rush by Warren. Meanwhile, the Browns managed to avoid costly mistakes despite a few penalties, such as false starts and offensive holding, which threatened to disrupt their momentum.
The Browns’ defense forced the Steelers into punting multiple times in the second half, preserving their lead. Pittsburgh’s offense was unable to convert on third and fourth downs consistently, limiting their scoring opportunities late in the game.
With this win, Cleveland improves to 3-1 on the season, while Pittsburgh falls to 2-2. The Browns will look to build on this momentum as they continue their AFC North campaign. Meanwhile, the Steelers will need to address their protection and consistency issues ahead of their next matchup.
The latest confirmed development saw Rodgers sacked for the fifth time, a loss of four yards, as the clock wound down in the final minutes, sealing the Browns’ narrow victory.
According to Yahoo Sports.
