PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The first touchdown of the season was to wide receiver Ben Skowronek, can’t imagine the odds. The first touchdown in division play was to Connor Heyward on Sunday, it made it a two-possession game, essentially ending it as the Steelers beat the Browns 23-9 at Acrisure Stadium.
It was midway in the third quarter and the Steelers had driven from their own 21-yard line, helped by a running into the kicker penalty giving the Steelers a first down. It was second and 10 at the Cleveland 12, Aaron Rodgers rolled out and was motioning to Heyward to move to Rodgers left to an open spot in the end zone.
“Connor is a really smart player, and I was just kind of, like, either you or DK, one of you guys see this and go that way,” Rodgers said. “Connor did, and I put a decent ball on, and he made a nice catch.”
“I thought I was an option,” Connor Heyward said. “Once I saw the ball, I knew I had to come down with it. Anytime you have the opportunity for a scramble drill, and it’s a big play, you got to come down with it. Luckily I did.”
All four of the tight ends had catches, which Heyward noted is extremely rare in a game. He said this isn’t a typical tight end room, it’s extremely deep and a group the coaches and other players have a lot of trust in.
Pat Freiermuth had one catch for 11 yards, Jonnu Smith three receptions for 18 yards and Darnell Washington, three for 62.
“I like obviously what we've done with Darnell,” Rodgers said. “You know, seems like the more playing time he's out there, big things happen. The first play of the game. I know he got the ball punched out, but he's a super talented guy. For 6'8" and whatever he tips the scales at, I love having Darnell out there. His presence, his energy, his body, he's made a big difference for us.”
“He is a very big, unmovable object whenever he has the ball,” said receiver DK Metcalf. “Just put the ball in his hands and let him do the rest.”
And it’s not just Washington’s ability obviously to catch the ball, but block. That part was big as the Steelers went over 100 yards rushing for the second straight game. And it’s not just the tight ends in name, but the adopted tight end, Spencer Anderson.
“We've been very transparent about Darnell's role,” said head coach Mike Tomlin. “We play four-three teams. Man, we need a guy that looks like those four-three ends. It's a major component of our run game. Can't say enough about his efforts and also Spencer Anderson. There are weight classes in combat sports for a reason. They got big people out in that C and D gap area, and so do we. When we deploy those two guys, it really gives us a fighting chance.”
Steelers offense continues to improve and the tight ends are a big part.