Browns Beat Steelers 27-24: Watson Leads Third Straight Winning Drive

Deshaun Watson did it again, and the Cleveland Browns are now in first place. The Browns beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-24 on Thursday Night Football in Cleveland. Watson led a game-winning drive for the third straight game. This time their kicker Andre Szmyt finished it with a 56-yard field goal. Only 10 seconds remained when the kick split the uprights. The win lifted the Browns to 3-1 on the season. It also gave them sole possession of the AFC North lead.

The result is a big surprise, considering how the season began. The Browns lost their opener at Jacksonville by 24 points. However, they have since won three games in a row. Watson has led a late winning drive in each of those wins. Brian Sipe is the only other Browns quarterback to do that since 1970. In addition, the 3-1 record is the team’s best start since 2021. The Browns have also won eight straight Thursday games, the longest active streak in the NFL.

Szmyt’s 56-Yard Kick and Delpit’s Interception Cap a Wild Fourth Quarter

The fourth quarter nearly slipped away from Cleveland. The Browns led by 11 points, but the Steelers fought back. Two second-half turnovers by Watson helped Pittsburgh get close. One came when T.J. Watt stripped him in the third quarter. However, Watson bounced back quickly. He moved the Browns down the field and set up the winning kick. Szmyt then made the 56-yarder with 10 seconds left on the clock.

Pittsburgh still had one last chance. Aaron Rodgers heaved a final pass as time ran out. Safety Grant Delpit intercepted it and sealed the win. Watson finished 24 of 33 for 268 yards. He threw one touchdown, a 2-yard pass to Harold Fannin Jr. He also threw one interception. In addition, he passed for 181 yards in the first half, his best half since joining the Browns.

How the Browns’ Pass Rush and Young Receivers Outplayed Rodgers’ Steelers

The Browns defense won the night up front. Rodgers threw for 299 yards and three touchdowns. However, Cleveland sacked him five times and hit him 10 times. Denzel Ward also intercepted him early in the second quarter. That play changed the game. The Browns then scored touchdowns on three straight drives. In that stretch, they turned a 7-0 deficit into a 21-7 lead.

Young playmakers also stepped up for the Cleveland Browns. Rookie Denzel Boston caught four passes for 89 yards, including a 60-yard grab. KC Concepcion added five catches for 64 yards. Quinshon Judkins also ran for a 2-yard touchdown. Special teams helped too, as Szmyt is a perfect 8 of 8 on field goals this year. Punter Corey Bojorquez averaged 62.8 yards on four punts. Meanwhile, the Steelers fell to 2-2 after the loss.

The Browns have given their fans a reason to believe. Although Watson still makes mistakes, he also keeps finding answers when the pressure is highest. Three straight game-winning drives are hard to ignore. Their defense and the young receivers have backed him up, too. The Steelers, now 2-2, must fix their offense quickly. For now, though, the AFC North belongs to the Browns.

Web resources on Browns beat Steelers

1. ESPN : Watson leads another game-winning drive, Szmyt hits 56-yard FG and Browns beat Steelers 27-24.
2. Steelers : Steelers edged by Browns, 27-24.
3. BBC : Browns survive late comeback to defeat Steelers.
4. Fox Sports : Are The Browns For Real? 3 Takeaways From Browns’ Dramatic Win vs. Steelers