Rodgers' Hail Mary and Browns' Special Teams Decide 27-24 AFC North Clash
The Cleveland Browns defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-24 on Thursday night, securing their first three-game win streak since 2023 and taking sole possession of the AFC North lead. The game was decided by a 56-yard field goal from Andre Szmyt with 10 seconds remaining, followed by a final-play interception by Grant Delpit. Aaron Rodgers threw three touchdowns for Pittsburgh but was intercepted on the final play, while Deshaun Watson led Cleveland with 268 passing yards. The Browns' special teams and defensive takeaways proved decisive in a game where both teams struggled with situational execution in the final minutes.
Key points
- Cleveland Browns defeated Pittsburgh Steelers 27-24 on Thursday night, extending their win streak to three games and taking the AFC North lead at 3-1.
- Andre Szmyt kicked a 56-yard field goal with 10 seconds left to give Cleveland the lead, and Grant Delpit intercepted Aaron Rodgers' final throw to seal the win.
- Aaron Rodgers threw for 299 yards and three touchdowns but was sacked five times and intercepted twice, including the game-ending play.
- Deshaun Watson finished 24-of-33 for 268 yards and a touchdown, leading game-winning fourth-quarter drives in three straight games for the first time since 1979.
- The Browns' defense recorded three takeaways, including a key interception by Denzel Ward in the second quarter that shifted momentum, while special teams averaged 62.8 yards per punt.
Background
The Browns had not won three straight games since 2023 and had not led the AFC North after a game week since 2023. The Steelers had a seven-game Thursday night winning streak under coach Mike McCarthy, which was snapped by this loss. Both teams had struggled with situational football in the final minutes, with the Browns failing to run out the clock and the Steelers mismanaging their final possession.
How outlets are covering it
NBC Sports emphasized the strategic mismanagement of the final seconds, noting that the Browns repeated a mistake seen by the Dallas Cowboys by kicking into the end zone, and that the Steelers' decision to attempt a long throw instead of a quick gain was inexplicable. ESPN focused on the overall performance, highlighting Watson's game-winning drive and the Browns' defensive and special teams dominance, while criticizing the Steelers' offensive struggles and Rodgers' frustration. Steelers.com provided a detailed breakdown of the game, emphasizing the Steelers' defensive injuries and the lack of complementary football, with coach Mike McCarthy citing the 2-minute situation as a key area for improvement.
Why it matters
The result shifts the AFC North standings, with the Browns now leading the division and the Steelers dropping to 2-2. The game highlights the importance of situational football and special teams execution in close games, and the Browns' win streak signals a potential resurgence under Deshaun Watson. The Steelers' struggles with defensive injuries and offensive consistency may impact their season trajectory.
What to watch
The Browns will continue their season with a focus on maintaining their win streak and defensive performance, while the Steelers will need to address their defensive injuries and offensive consistency. Both teams will face further AFC North matchups, with the Browns looking to solidify their division lead and the Steelers seeking to rebound from their loss.
- Browns and Steelers mismanaged the final seconds of the game NBC Sports
- Watson leads third straight winning drive, puts Browns atop North ESPN
- Steelers-Browns on 'Thursday Night Football': What We Learned from Cleveland's 27-24 win NFL.com
- Labriola on the loss to the Browns Steelers.com
- Deshaun Watson Strongly Praises Browns Fans After Week 4 Win vs Steelers Yahoo Sports
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