Thursday night football delivered another chapter in the storied Browns-Steelers rivalry, and this one came down to the final seconds. Andre Szmyt drilled a career-long 56-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining, lifting the Cleveland Browns to a 27-24 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The win pushed Cleveland's record to 3-1, while Pittsburgh dropped to 2-2 in a game that had all the hallmarks of an AFC North slugfest.
A Game of Momentum Swings
The Browns appeared to be in control for much of the night, but the Steelers refused to go quietly. Pittsburgh clawed back from a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter, tying the game on a touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers to Pat Freiermuth with just over two minutes left. That set the stage for Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland offense to execute a game-winning drive, something they have now done three weeks in a row.
Watson finished the night completing 24 of 33 passes for 268 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He was at his best when it mattered most, going 4 of 5 for 46 yards on the final possession. The drive began at the Cleveland 25-yard line with 1:46 remaining and no timeouts. Watson methodically moved the chains, finding Amari Cooper for 18 yards on a critical third-and-7, then hitting David Njoku for 12 more to move into Pittsburgh territory. After a short run and an incomplete pass, the Browns faced a fourth-and-2 at the Steelers' 38-yard line. Instead of punting and playing for overtime, head coach Kevin Stefanski sent out the field goal unit.
Szmyt's Career Moment
Andre Szmyt, who had already made field goals of 32 and 45 yards earlier in the game, stepped into a 56-yard attempt with the game on the line. The kick had plenty of distance and split the uprights, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. It was the longest field goal of Szmyt's career, and it came in the most pressure-packed moment imaginable.
Szmyt, who won the Lou Groza Award as the nation's top college kicker at Syracuse in 2018, has had an up-and-down professional career. But on this night, he delivered when it counted. His teammates mobbed him on the field as the clock ran out, and the Browns celebrated a win that keeps them atop the AFC North standings, at least for now.
Rodgers' Mixed Night
Aaron Rodgers threw for three touchdowns, showing flashes of the form that made him a four-time MVP. He connected with George Pickens on a 40-yard strike in the second quarter, found Freiermuth for a 5-yard score in the third, and hit Diontae Johnson for a 22-yard touchdown early in the fourth. But Rodgers also threw two costly interceptions, both of which led to Cleveland points. The first came in the second quarter when he tried to force a pass to Pickens and was picked off by Denzel Ward, setting up a Browns touchdown. The second came in the third quarter when he underthrew a deep ball intended for Calvin Austin III, and Grant Delpit came down with it, leading to a field goal.
Those turnovers proved to be the difference in a game that was otherwise evenly matched. The Steelers outgained the Browns 372 to 342 in total yards, and they controlled the ball for nearly 32 minutes. But in a game decided by three points, the two interceptions loomed large.
What It Means for the AFC North
The Browns' win keeps them in a tie with the Baltimore Ravens for the division lead, though Baltimore holds the head-to-head tiebreaker after a Week 2 victory. The Steelers, meanwhile, fall to .500 and will need to clean up their turnover issues if they hope to keep pace in what is shaping up to be a fiercely competitive division. The Ravens look as strong as ever, and the Cincinnati Bengals are always dangerous with Joe Burrow under center. Every game within the division will be a battle.
For Cleveland, the biggest takeaway is the continued development of Watson, who has now led game-winning drives in three consecutive weeks. After a rocky start to his Browns tenure, Watson is beginning to look more like the quarterback the team traded for in 2022. His chemistry with Cooper and Njoku is growing, and the running game, led by Nick Chubb, remains one of the league's best. Chubb finished with 88 yards on 19 carries, including a 2-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.
Defensively, the Browns have been opportunistic, forcing turnovers in key moments. Ward's interception was his third of the season, and Delpit's was his second. The pass rush, led by Myles Garrett, pressured Rodgers throughout the night, sacking him three times and hitting him several more. Garrett now has 5.5 sacks on the season, continuing his case for Defensive Player of the Year.
The Steelers' Road Ahead
Pittsburgh will host the Dallas Cowboys next week in a Sunday Night Football matchup that suddenly feels like a must-win. The Steelers need to find a way to protect the football and get more consistency from their running game, which managed just 3.4 yards per carry against Cleveland. Najee Harris had 62 yards on 18 carries, and Jaylen Warren added 28 yards on 7 attempts. The offensive line has struggled to open holes, and Rodgers has been under duress frequently.
Head coach Mike Tomlin was measured after the game, saying that the team needs to "look in the mirror" and correct the mistakes that have cost them in close games. The Steelers have now lost two straight after a 2-0 start, and the margin for error in the AFC North is razor-thin.
Browns' Next Test
Cleveland will travel to face the Washington Commanders next Sunday, a game that pits them against a young, improving team with a dynamic quarterback in Jayden Daniels. The Browns will look to keep their winning streak alive and maintain their position atop the division. A win would move them to 4-1, their best start since 2020, when they made the playoffs and won a wild-card game in Pittsburgh.
For Watson, the challenge will be to continue his efficient play on the road, where he has historically been less effective. But if the last three weeks are any indication, he is finding his rhythm at the right time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long was Andre Szmyt's game-winning field goal?
Szmyt's field goal was 56 yards, the longest of his career. It came with 10 seconds remaining and gave the Browns a 27-24 lead.
What was Deshaun Watson's stat line?
Watson completed 24 of 33 passes for 268 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He also ran for 22 yards on 5 carries.
How many touchdowns did Aaron Rodgers throw?
Rodgers threw three touchdown passes, but also threw two interceptions that led to Browns points.
What is the Browns' record after the win?
The Browns improved to 3-1 with the win, while the Steelers fell to 2-2.
When do the Browns and Steelers play again?
The two teams will meet again in Week 18 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, in what could be a pivotal game for the AFC North race.