CLEVELAND – In a thrilling matchup on Thursday night, Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns showcased their resilience by coming from behind to secure a 27-24 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. This win marked the third consecutive week in which Watson led a fourth-quarter drive that resulted in a game-winning score.
With just 10 seconds remaining, Watson orchestrated a decisive drive that set up Andre Szmyt’s career-long 56-yard field goal, illustrating the Browns’ growing confidence in clutch situations. “I knew it was money,” Watson remarked, referring to Szmyt’s impressive kick, which pushed Cleveland’s record to 3-1 for the first time since 2001.
The game saw a dramatic shift in momentum, as the Browns initially held a commanding 21-7 lead. However, the Steelers rallied, tying the game at 24-24 late in the fourth quarter after Aaron Rodgers connected with Pat Freiermuth for a touchdown, followed by a successful two-point conversion.
On the decisive drive, Watson completed 4 of 5 passes for 46 yards, including two significant completions to Jerry Jeudy. Despite facing a sack that set the ball back to the Steelers’ 38-yard line, Szmyt remained unfazed, extending his streak of made field goals to 22 with the final kick.
Szmyt expressed his confidence in the team’s strategy, stating, “I honestly said, ‘I’ll hit it from anywhere,’ but I told him ‘let’s get to the 42, maybe a 60-yard field goal.'” His ability to perform under pressure has been a defining trait since joining the Browns last season.
Cleveland’s victory solidified their impressive run on Thursday nights, with eight consecutive wins, a streak that stands as the longest active in the NFL and the fourth longest in history, including four wins against the Steelers.
For the Steelers, now 2-2 on the season, this loss marked a continued struggle on the road against AFC North rivals, as they remain winless in their last 10 Thursday night games against division opponents.
Watson’s performance was noteworthy, completing 24 of 33 passes for 268 yards, along with a touchdown and an interception. His first-half performance, featuring 181 yards passing, was his best since being traded to Cleveland from the Houston Texans in 2022.
“Happy for Deshaun. Not happy about the sack there at the end, but three straight fourth-quarter comebacks really cool for him and our team,” said Browns coach Todd Monken, highlighting Watson’s growing leadership.
On the other side, Rodgers finished the night with 299 yards, throwing three touchdowns and two interceptions. He had an opportunity to lead the Steelers to a win, but his final Hail Mary attempt was intercepted by Grant Delpit as time expired.
The Steelers’ offense saw contributions from Jaylen Warren, who rushed for 93 yards, and DK Metcalf, who caught five passes for 115 yards. Despite these efforts, the offensive line faced challenges, allowing five sacks and ten quarterback hits on Rodgers throughout the game.
“I wouldn’t say it was our cleanest game all the way around,” Rodgers acknowledged. “They were getting after us on some of the long yardage stuff that we weren’t winning a bunch. I missed some throws I usually hit.”
The game turned dramatically in the second quarter when Denzel Ward intercepted a pass from Rodgers, which sparked a series of successful drives for Cleveland. This led to a 21-point second quarter, the most for the franchise since 2020.
The Browns’ offense was highlighted by Jaleel McLaughlin’s impressive 28-yard touchdown run and a subsequent touchdown pass from Watson to Harold Fannin Jr., solidifying their dominance in the first half.
In terms of injuries, the game saw several players leave, including Steelers’ DT Derrick Harmon and CB Jamel Dean, while Browns’ DT Mason Graham was sidelined due to a knee injury.
Looking ahead, the Steelers will host the Indianapolis Colts on October 11, while the Browns will travel to face the New York Jets on the same date.
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