Pittsburgh cruised to a 27-6 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, a win that locked in the Steelers’ first place standing in the AFC North at 6-2. The Browns, now sitting in second place at 5-3, couldn’t get anything going against a dominant Steelers squad, even after their starting quarterback went down early.
Steelers Dominate First Half, Browns Can’t Catch a Break
Right from the jump, Pittsburgh looked like a team on a mission, proving why they were 3.5-point favorites at home. By halftime, they had already built a commanding 20-6 lead. Rico Dowdle punched in a 9-yard rushing touchdown, and Pat Freiermuth got in on the action, taking a direct snap up the middle for another score. The Steelers’ defense was relentless too, forcing two fumbles against the Browns in the first half alone, complementing two additional field goals. It was pure control.
Adding to Cleveland’s woes, Deshaun Watson was sidelined with an injury in the first quarter. Shedeur Sanders stepped in briefly, completing both of his pass attempts for a meager two yards. Despite Watson eventually returning to complete 27 of 39 passes for 324 yards, he couldn’t find the end zone. The Browns’ offense just stalled out, unable to convert yardage into points. Quinshon Judkins, their leading rusher, was held to just 25 yards on 11 carries. Harold Fannin Jr. was a target monster with 10 receptions for 154 yards, but again, no touchdowns.
Second Half Stranglehold and What it Means for the AFC North
The second half started much like the first, with Jaylen Warren adding another rushing touchdown on a short run, extending Pittsburgh’s lead. Warren was a beast on the ground, racking up 143 yards on 17 carries. Aaron Rodgers, while not having his best day with 172 yards and an interception, managed the game effectively. He did throw a pick to close out the third quarter, but by then, the Steelers still held a massive 27-6 lead.
Cleveland’s offense remained lifeless in the fourth quarter. They turned the ball over on downs twice and punted once, never threatening Pittsburgh’s lead. The Steelers’ receiving corps saw Darnell Washington grab 3 catches for 94 yards, and Germie Bernard snagged 5 for 30. Even DK Metcalf got in on the action with a 4-yard catch. The Browns simply had no answer, and the final 27-6 score tells the whole story. This win solidifies the Steelers’ spot atop the AFC North at 6-2, with a 2-1 divisional record. The Browns are now looking up from second place at 5-3, with a similar 2-1 divisional record. Cincinnati and Baltimore trail closely, making every game from here on out a fight for supremacy.
Next up, the Browns will hit the road to face the New Orleans Saints next Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. They’ll need to figure out their offensive struggles, and fast, if they want to keep pace in a tight AFC North. The Steelers, on the other hand, get to enjoy their bye week, riding high after a statement victory.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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