Cleveland, OH — The Pittsburgh Steelers appeared to have escaped another difficult night in Cleveland.
They hadn’t.
Andre Szmyt drilled a 56-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining Thursday night, giving the Cleveland Browns a dramatic 27-24 victory over the Steelers at Huntington Bank Field and extending Pittsburgh’s miserable history in the building.
The loss was the Steelers’ fourth consecutive defeat on Thursday night and their fifth straight loss in Cleveland.
For the Browns, it was another statement win in a rivalry that continues to tilt their way.
Cleveland improved to 3-1 and moved into first place in the AFC North, while Pittsburgh fell to 2-2.
Szmyt’s game-winner came after Deshaun Watson calmly moved the Browns into field-goal range with four completions covering 45 yards.
For Pittsburgh’s defense, it was a final opportunity that slipped away.
“Not close enough, not enough contested throws,” Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward said. “Our offense gave us a shot, got down there, touchdown, 2-point conversion. But in those weighty moments, we’ve got to have better execution. That’s what it comes down to.”
The Steelers had seemingly stolen the momentum moments earlier.
Aaron Rodgers orchestrated an eight-play, 80-yard touchdown drive, finishing it with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Pat Freiermuth. Rodgers then kept the ball himself on the ensuing 2-point conversion, powering through for the tying score with 1:42 remaining.
But Cleveland got the ball back and made Pittsburgh pay.
Rodgers had one final chance after the Browns’ field goal, but his desperation pass toward Roman Wilson was intercepted by Grant Delpit, ending the Steelers’ comeback hopes.
“It was a back-and-forth division game, which is really what you would expect,” Steelers coach Mike McCarthy said. “But the situational football, we’ve got to be a little bit better.”
Pittsburgh Starts Fast
The Steelers couldn’t have scripted a better opening.
They took the opening possession and marched 80 yards on 17 plays, consuming 9:48 before Rodgers connected with Wilson for a 12-yard touchdown.
Wilson came across the formation in motion, took the ball from Rodgers on a forward flip and raced into the end zone.
It was a physical, methodical drive that appeared to establish Pittsburgh’s tone.
Then the second quarter arrived.
And everything changed.
Cleveland erupted for three consecutive touchdown drives, turning the game around with a 21-3 scoring burst over the final 12:15 of the first half.
Jaleel McLaughlin started the rally with a 28-yard touchdown run, weaving through the Steelers’ defense.
Quinshon Judkins followed with a 2-yard rushing touchdown, and Watson then connected with Harold Fannin Jr. for another 2-yard score.
Suddenly, Pittsburgh’s early 7-0 advantage had become a 21-7 deficit.
Chris Boswell’s 31-yard field goal with eight seconds remaining before halftime cut the margin to 21-10, but Cleveland had seized control.
“Self-inflicted wounds,” Heyward said. “Execution was not high today. We had penalties. But I’m not going to make excuses. They got the job done on their side.”
Steelers Defense Finds Its Fight
Pittsburgh’s offense struggled to create momentum early in the second half, producing a series of three-and-out possessions.
Then T.J. Watt delivered the type of play that has become synonymous with his career.
Watt stripped Watson on a read-option play and recovered the fumble himself at midfield.
The Steelers couldn’t capitalize, however, eventually punting for the fourth time on the night.
Another defensive play finally gave Pittsburgh the opening it needed.
Jack Sawyer got a hand on a Watson pass early in the fourth quarter, and rookie safety Robert Spears-Jennings came down with his first career interception.
The play initially appeared to be complicated by a pass-interference penalty against Daylen Everette.
McCarthy challenged the ruling, asking officials to determine whether Sawyer had tipped the football.
The replay showed that he had.
The penalty was overturned, and Pittsburgh retained the takeaway.
This time, the Steelers converted.
Rodgers, Metcalf Spark Comeback
Rodgers found DK Metcalf for a spectacular 43-yard completion on the ensuing drive, setting up another big opportunity.
Rodgers then rolled and delivered a perfectly placed pass to Darnell Washington, who made the catch in the end zone for a 21-yard touchdown.
The score pulled Pittsburgh within 21-16 with 10:10 remaining.
The Steelers attempted to cut the deficit to three with a 2-point conversion but couldn’t convert.
Cleveland answered with Szmyt’s 44-yard field goal, extending the lead to 24-16 with 6:37 remaining.
That appeared to put the Browns in position to finish the game.
Rodgers had other ideas.
The veteran quarterback found his rhythm with Metcalf, and the Steelers mounted one final furious rally.
Rodgers eventually connected with Freiermuth for the touchdown before keeping the ball himself on the 2-point conversion.
Tie game.
One minute and 42 seconds remained.
But Cleveland had the final possession.
Watson completed four passes for 45 yards, moving the Browns into range for Szmyt.
The rookie kicker did the rest.
Rodgers Delivers — But Cleveland Gets the Last Word
Rodgers finished 22 of 40 for 299 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.
He completed passes to eight different receivers but was sacked five times, with five different Browns defenders recording a sack.
Metcalf led Pittsburgh with five receptions for 115 yards.
Jaylen Warren supplied the ground attack, rushing 17 times for 93 yards while adding 33 yards on three receptions.
Defensively, Jaquan Brisker, Heyward, Spears-Jennings and Payton Wilson each recorded seven tackles.
Watt once again filled the stat sheet, finishing with four tackles, a sack, two quarterback hits, two tackles for loss, a pass defended, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
But Cleveland made the final play that mattered.
For Pittsburgh, the loss was another reminder that winning in Cleveland requires finishing every possession and every defensive series.
Rodgers acknowledged that the Steelers had opportunities.
“They were getting after us on some of the long-yardage stuff, and we weren’t winning a bunch,” Rodgers said. “I missed a couple throws I usually hit.”
The Steelers now return home with plenty to correct.
The Browns, meanwhile, remain atop the AFC North after winning three straight.
And in Cleveland, another chapter of this rivalry ended with the Browns celebrating and the Steelers wondering how they let another winnable game slip away.
