Big plays from Steelers loss at Cleveland, injuries

CLEVELAND (93.7 The Fan) – Steelers mounted a late comeback to tie the game with 1:42 to play, but left too much time for the Browns and Deshaun Watson completed four straight passes to get Cleveland in field goal range and even after a sack, Andre Szymt drilled a 56-yard field goal, with room to spare to win 27-24 and take over first place in the AFC North at 3-1.

“We have to put it together,” said TJ Watt. “It was too easy getting down the field and getting in (field goal) range. Just have to look at everything and move forward.”

Aaron Rodgers desperation pass with 10 seconds left was intercepted and yet another win for Cleveland at home against the Steelers, that’s now five in a row.

“I wouldn’t say it was our cleanest game all the way around,” Rodgers said.

Tying drive

Down a couple of touchdowns late in the first half and down 10 heading into the fourth quarter, Steelers defense got a couple of takeaways and the offense mounted an 80-yard drive over a 1:50 seconds. Key plays

• Rodgers hit Roman Wilson for 13 yards and a couple of beautiful floated passes to DK Metcalf, one of 23 yards and then another of 28 into the Browns red zone.
• On 4^th down, Cleveland committed pass interference against Darnell Washington
• Next play, Rodgers a 3-yard TD to Pat Freiermuth

4-play daggers

After the Steelers scored on its opening drive, the Browns got momentum. After a Denzel Ward interception, Cleveland started at the 44-yard line. 25 yards in passes to Harold Fannin and Quinshon Judkins, a handoff to Jaleel McLaughlin as the Browns tailback made the Steelers defense dive at air for a 28-yard TD to tie the game.

Steelers go 3-and-out and on the first play Denzel Boston burns Steelers rookie corner Daylen Everette for a 61-yard gain. Judkins would finish the 4-play, 74-yard drive with a 2-yard TD run for a 14-7 lead.

4^th quarter hope

On a play that was originally ruled a pass interference, replay showed Jack Sawyer got a fingertip on the Watson deep pass ending in a Robert Spears-Jennings interception. Rodgers would hit a big play to DK Metcalf in the seam of 43 yards. On 1^st down on the 21-yard line, Rodgers rolled out to his right, spotted Darnell Washington on the floor of the end zone and threw a low pass right into his belly to cut the Browns lead to 21-16. Steelers attempt at the two-point conversion failed as Warren was stopped as he caught the swing pass from Rodgers.

Missed opportunity

Trailing 21-10 in the third quarter, TJ Watt knocks the ball away from Watson and recovers it at midfield for a potentially game-changing turnover. Steelers manage only 1 first down before a sack of Rodgers on 3^rd down took the Steelers out of field goal range for NO POINTS.

The Opening Drive

On the opening possession, Steelers got the ball at it’s own 22-yard-line after a 68-yard punt. They would slowly march it down the field over 17 plays and 9:48 off the clock to take a 7-0 lead. Key plays:

• Aaron Rodgers to DK Metcalf for 14 yards on 3^rd and 11
• Rodgers to Metcalf for 7 yards on 3^rd and 3
• After Metcalf picked up an unsportsmanlike, it was wiped out after a 5-yard defensive illegal contact
• Back-to-back plays by Maliek Collins—1^st an 8-yard sack of Rodgers, followed by a roughing-the-passer to give the Steelers a first down on a 3^rd and 17
• Travis Homer converted a 3^rd and 1 with a 2-yard run
• TD-Roman Wilson coming in motion, takes a pitch-pass from Rodgers and speeds 12 yards untouched for 7-0 lead

Big play

• Steelers cut the lead to 21-10 at half after a 6-play, 59-yard drive keyed by a perfect throw from Rodgers to Wilson streaking down the seam for 49 yards. Cleveland pressure ended the series as Chris Boswell kicked a 31-yard FG.

Injuries

• CB Jamel Dean left in the second quarter with an ankle injury and did not return
• DL Derrick Harmon had to be carted off with a foot injury in the first half and did not return.

Captains

• RB Jaylen Warren
• LB Cole Holcomb
• S Jaquan Brisker

Up Next

Indianapolis Colts at home Sunday, October 11 at 1p, Steelers lead the series 28-8, although the Colts won 2 of the last 3.