Deshaun Watson led the Cleveland Browns to a victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night, securing first place in the AFC North while late-game clock management decisions by both teams drew scrutiny in the final seconds.
Deshaun Watson Secures First Place for Cleveland in Thursday Night Clash
Watson finished 24-of-33 passing for 268 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown pass to Harold Fannin Jr., and orchestrated a game-winning drive that culminated in a 56-yard field goal by Andre Szmyt with seconds remaining.
The win marks a milestone for the franchise. Joining Brian Sipe in 1979, Watson became just the second quarterback in franchise history to lead game-winning drives in the fourth quarter of three straight games. The last time the Browns finished a game week leading the division was in 2023 when they started 1-0.
Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers Offense Struggle Against Cleveland Pass Rush
Pittsburgh mounted a methodical opening march that covered 78 yards in nearly 10 minutes, ending with a Roman Wilson 12-yard touchdown catch off an Aaron Rodgers pop pass. After that initial surge, the Steelers offense stalled, scoring just three points over their next seven drives as the Browns defense applied relentless pressure.
Rodgers threw for 299 yards and three touchdowns but was sacked five times, absorbing 10 quarterback hits while the Browns deployed man coverage on 73.3% of plays. Frustration mounted on the sideline as the veteran quarterback absorbed hits and argued with head coach Mike McCarthy over play-calling speed. Jaylen Warren rushed for 93 yards on 17 carries, though the offense leaned heavily away from the ground game as the deficit grew.
Defensive Takeaways and Special Teams Turn the Momentum
Denzel Ward shifted the game’s trajectory at the start of the second quarter by intercepting Rodgers, sparking a surge that turned a 7-0 deficit into a 21-7 Cleveland advantage. Jaleel McLaughlin opened the scoring for the Browns with a 28-yard run, while rookie deep threat Denzel Boston caught a 60-yard pass that set up a 2-yard touchdown run by Quinshon Judkins.
Special teams contributed significantly to the home team’s success. Punter Corey Bojorquez averaged 62.8 yards across four punts, pinning one at the Steelers’ 1-yard line and launching an 81-yard boot. Kicker Andre Szmyt remained perfect on the season, converting all three extra points alongside two field goals, including the 56-yard winner.
The atmosphere was electric.
Deshaun Watson noted that the drive ended with a 56-yard Andre Szmyt field goal.
Clock Management and Strategy Lapses in the Final Seconds
Both teams drew criticism for their execution during the chaotic final ten seconds. After Szmyt’s field goal, the Browns repeated a mistake seen earlier in the week around the league by kicking deep into the end zone under current touchback rules, gifting the Steelers possession at the 35-yard line with one timeout remaining.
Rather than executing a quick, moderate gain into the middle of the field to set up a potential game-tying field goal try, Pittsburgh opted for an aggressive downfield approach. Rodgers rolled to his right and uncorked a deep pass. The ball fell incomplete near the Cleveland 20-yard line and was intercepted by Grant Delpit, ending the contest.
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