Nick Chubb ran for a two-yard landing in heavy snow with 57 seconds left, and the Cleveland Browns surprised division rival Pittsburgh 24-19 on Thursday night time, ending the Steelers’ five-game profitable streak.
Chubb’s rating got here in his first sport in opposition to the AFC North-leading Steelers (8-3) for the reason that working again sustained a season-ending left knee damage on a carry final 12 months at Pittsburgh.
The Browns (3-8) had blown a 12-point lead within the fourth quarter and had been down 19-18 earlier than getting the ball again with 3:22 remaining after Pittsburgh punter Corliss Waitman shanked a 16-yarder.
With snow piling up and masking the yard traces on the sphere, Cleveland’s Jameis Winston accomplished a third-down move to Jerry Jeudy to the Pittsburgh 9. Two performs later, Chubb barreled into the tip zone.
The Steelers had one final likelihood, however Russell Wilson’s Hail Mary on the ultimate play was knocked down by Browns security Grant Delpit ultimately zone, touching off a wild celebration at Huntington Financial institution Discipline.
Amid a disastrous season, beating the Steelers eased stress on coach Kevin Stefanski and gave Cleveland followers one thing to savor.
Chubb additionally scored on a two-yard run within the second quarter. This was his fifth sport again since present process two surgical procedures and practically having his profession ended when Steelers security Minkah Fitzpatrick hit him within the legs close to the aim line.
With early snow flurries giving method to blizzard-like circumstances within the fourth quarter that blanketed the sphere in white – Amazon Prime Video used graphics on its telecast to point out the in any other case invisible numbers and hash marks – the Steelers rapidly erased an 18-6 deficit, scoring two touchdowns in simply over a minute.
Wilson’s 23-yard TD move to Calvin Austin III with 6:15 left put Pittsburgh forward by one. Nick Herbig’s strip-sack of Winston arrange the go-ahead rating and put the Steelers in place to win their sixth straight and open a two-game lead within the AFC North over Baltimore.
Nonetheless, the Browns responded and pulled off their second divisional win after beating the Ravens final month.
Jaylen Warren scored on a three-yard run halfway by the fourth to drag the Steelers inside 18-13. Then, as all the time appears to be the case, Pittsburgh’s protection got here up with the massive play as Herbig bought to Winston and security DeShon Elliott recovered the fumble.
Three performs later, Wilson confirmed persistence whereas permitting Austin to get open and hit him deep ultimately zone.
Cleveland’s Myles Garrett bought three sacks and outplayed Steelers star TJ Watt.
Garrett dominated the primary half, sacking Wilson and placing fixed stress on the Steelers’ QB. The efficiency got here throughout per week wherein the Browns star commented about Watt’s seeming slight when Garrett was named Defensive Participant of the 12 months over him final season.
Garrett arrange Cleveland’s second rating with a strip-sack of Wilson. As he was being blocked, Garrett was popped the ball from Wilson’s grip and linebacker Winston Reid recovered.
The Browns drove to the 16 and settled for a 34-yard area from Dustin Hopkins, who missed two kicks weeks per week in the past in a loss at New Orleans.
Chubb’s TD dive within the second quarter capped a 12-play, 80-yard drive by the Browns, who gained simply 19 yards and had two three-and-outs within the first quarter.
The Steelers drove inside Browns territory on their first three possessions, however got here away with simply three factors.
Chris Boswell, who made six area objectives final Sunday for all of Pittsburgh’s factors in a win over Baltimore, missed a 58-yard area aim within the first quarter whereas the sphere was nonetheless in fine condition. It was solely his second miss in 31 makes an attempt this season.