PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – For the 21st consecutive time, the Steelers win a home Monday night game, beating the Browns 26-22. A few back-ups made some big plays, injury news and some stats from the first victory
Porter showing up
Second-round pick Joey Porter only played a few snaps, but made a couple of big plays. The first as the Browns were moving to answer the Steelers Pick-6, it was third and 8 and Porter closed in on Elijah Moore knocking the ball away.
Then on the final Cleveland play, 4th and 9 from the Steelers 49, Porter with solid coverage leaving Deshaun Watson no place to throw it and the Browns QB sailed it out of bounds.
"Got hands on him early at the line and there was only one route he could do off that release," Porter, Junior said. "I was already prepared to get the ball, get my head around and get the ball back, but he threw it out of bounds."
"I was the young guy on the field 4th and 10. There was no better option than to try me. I already had that game-planned in my mind. I was ready and prepared for that."
Riley responds
Secondary coach Grady Brown along with Keanu Neal and Damontae Kazee helped him on the sideline to get ready. A one-time safety and now nickel corner, the injury to Minkah Fitzpatrick forced Elijah Riley to get a crash course in moving back to the safety spot. Riley said he wasn't nervous and ended up with a huge sack on 3rd and 7 on the Browns final drive.
"That's one of my bigger moments, division game," Riley said. "Big play in the fourth quarter. Got the opportunity and made the most of it."
Riley had to work hard every snap of camp to make the roster. He was impressive enough they kept a couple of nickel corners and even kept him around when they signed Desmond King.
"I try to approach each game and reflect on my journey," Riley said, an undrafted free agent out of the US Military Academy. "What it took to get here and working to make the most of every opportunity. Getting into the game in the critical moments of it."
"I can't waiver. The pressure can't get to me. It's great having dudes around me who are there to support and keep me up when I was in that moment."
Notes
· Steelers are now 11-2 in games following losses of 20 points or more
· Steelers are now 81-62-1 all-time against the Browns, 52-22 in Pittsburgh
· 30-5 in home Monday Night Football games
· Steelers are 135-56-2 all-time at Acrisure Stadium
· 12 victories when trailing at the end of the fourth quarter since the start of the 2020 season
· 115 turnovers forced since 2019
· Pressley Harvin averaged 45.7 yards per punt including four of the seven downed inside the 20
Injuries
· Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was taken to the hospital to be evaluated with a chest injury
· Receiver/returner Gunner Olszewski (concussion)
· Linebacker Elandon Roberts (stinger)
Inactives
· WR-Dez Fitzpatrick
· CB-Desmond King
· OT-Dylan Cook
· *QB Mason Rudolph (emergency QB)
Up Next
A four-hour plane ride to Las Vegas for a Sunday Night game against the 1-1 Raiders. Vegas beat Denver 17-16 in Week 1 and lost 38-10 at Buffalo on Sunday.
· QB Jimmy Garoppolo 36-50, 385 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT,
· RB Josh Jacobs 28 carries for 46 yards, a 1.6 yards-per-carry average.
· Davonte Adams 12 receptions for 150 yards and a touchdown but left the game on Sunday with a potential concussion.
· Former Steeler Robert Spillane leads the Raiders with 21 tackles.
