The Steelers avoided their first 0-2 start since 2019 even though their offense continued to sputter. The Browns were penalized eight times for 81 yards and turned it over four times, two of which ended with a member of one of the best edge-rusher tandems in the NFL celebrating in the end zone. The penalties cut a pair of promising drives short. He was also flagged twice for unsportsmanlike conduct for grabbing the facemask of a Steeler while running. Watson completed 22 of 40 for 235 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Jerome Ford, Chubb's replacement, ran for 106 yards and caught a 3-yard touchdown pass, but Cleveland's miscues cost it a chance to win at Pittsburgh in the regular season for the first time since 2003. The Browns have failed to reach the postseason each of the last two years and now must find a way forward without one of their unquestioned leaders. “I think that's what we talk about is creating splash as a defense.”Īnd the Browns went splat, an annual event in Pittsburgh for two decades, save for a breathtaking upset in the first round of the 2020 playoffs.Ĭleveland hoped that victory would serve as the start of something. The Browns’ fourth and final turnover ended up in the hands of Watt, who ran untouched across the goal line before high-stepping in celebration. Highsmith - who began the night with a 30-yard pick-6 on the first offensive snap - blew past Browns left tackle Jedrick Wills and chopped the ball out of DeShaun Watson’s hands as the Cleveland quarterback ran to his right. The two longtime teammates sensed a play-action pass was coming, so they widened their stance a little bit in an effort to get a better attack angle off the edge. We will support him every step of the way."Įven with their leader sidelined, the Browns were protecting a three-point lead and facing second-and-9 at their own 20 with 7:06 remaining when Watt and Highsmith went to work. “He's a great football player as we know and an even better person. “We feel for Nick as a person,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. He went to the hospital as a precaution before returning to Cleveland. The four-time Pro Bowler's sixth NFL season ended two plays into the second quarter after the knee bent awkwardly when he was hit low by Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. The Steelers extended their regular-season home winning streak against their AFC North rivals to 20 and counting in a victory overshadowed by a serious left knee injury to Cleveland star running back Nick Chubb. The Steelers star linebackers combined for a scoop-and-score midway through the fourth quarter to pull out an improbable 26-22 victory on Monday night. It's the same thing that always seems to be coming when they visit Pittsburgh in the regular season.Ī loss. Maybe the Cleveland Browns should have, too. Watt and Alex Highsmith knew what was coming.
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