Before Thursday night’s game between the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers, social media was filled with talk about the teams’ past records. Browns fans were busy pointing out that the Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since 2017. Meanwhile, Steelers fans kept reminding everyone that their favorite team has won multiple playoff games, including Super Bowl championships, while the Browns have yet to win one.
The Steelers have also dominated the Browns in the Super Bowl era. But yesterday, it wasn’t the Steelers’ day, as Cleveland extended its record against Pittsburgh. However, this isn’t just about the Browns’ victory. There were several moments and storylines that stood out throughout the game.
Obviously, if you have Aaron Rodgers on your team, there will always be plenty of attention on him. Yesterday was no exception. Furthermore, there were several incidents during the game that couldn’t be ignored.
Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy lost their cool during the game
Yesterday, Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and head coach Mike McCarthy were involved in an animated, profane exchange on the sideline.
In the first quarter, deep inside Cleveland territory, the Steelers’ offense was waiting as the play clock continued to wind down because of a delay in getting the play call from the sideline. The frustration quickly boiled over. Caught directly on a broadcast hot mic, Rodgers threw his hands toward the sideline and yelled, “What the f–k?! Call it!” Cameras then cut to McCarthy, who appeared to mouth back a profane response.
The delay didn’t prevent Pittsburgh from scoring on that drive. Four plays later, Rodgers connected with wide receiver Roman Wilson for a 12-yard touchdown pass to give the Steelers a 7-0 lead. However, Pittsburgh eventually lost the game 27-24.
When McCarthy was asked about the incident after the game, he downplayed the possibility of any long-term friction. He described it as part of the competitive energy of the game while admitting that he regretted his choice of words.
“Communication sometimes is not the best choice of words, but everybody’s competing on the field. Any negative communication on my part, I wish I wouldn’t use those words,” he said.
However, if you know about Rodgers and McCarthy’s 13-year run in Green Bay, you already have some context for their relationship.
Still, there were several more turning points that shaped the game.
The Steelers’ struggles became huge during yesterday’s game
Yesterday, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense and offense struggled in different ways.
On defense, after taking an early lead, Pittsburgh completely lost control in the second quarter. The Steelers surrendered 191 total yards, allowing Cleveland to take over the game.
On offense, the offensive line had a difficult night against Cleveland’s pass rush, allowing five sacks and 10 quarterback hits on Aaron Rodgers. Even after the Browns lost key interior lineman Mason Graham to injury, Cleveland’s backup pass rushers continued to find ways into the pocket.
In the second quarter, Rodgers threw an interception to Denzel Ward. The mistake changed the field position and gave Cleveland the spark it needed during its 21-point run.
At the same time, the Steelers couldn’t avoid their own mistakes.
The Steelers suffered a key issue
The Browns’ defense struggled with discipline right from the opening drive. On Pittsburgh’s first possession, Cleveland was called for five penalties on a single drive, including an illegal contact penalty on cornerback Denzel Ward.
Those self-inflicted mistakes gave the Steelers free yardage.
The penalties continued throughout the game. Pre-snap infractions, false starts, and holding calls repeatedly put the Browns’ offense behind the chains. Cleveland committed 14 penalties, disrupting its rhythm outside of the explosive second quarter.
But in the middle of all those mistakes, the Browns got major contributions from rookie wide receivers Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion.
How things turned for the Browns
Yesterday, the Steelers jumped out to an early lead, but the momentum quickly changed after an Aaron Rodgers pass intended for Michael Pittman Jr. was intercepted by Browns cornerback Denzel Ward at Cleveland’s 44-yard line. That play sparked a massive second-quarter surge from Cleveland.
Four plays after the interception, running back Jaleel McLaughlin broke loose for a 28-yard touchdown run to put the Browns on the board. Cleveland’s offense then gained 191 yards and scored three unanswered touchdowns in the second quarter alone.
After a Steelers three-and-out, Deshaun Watson connected with Denzel Boston for a 60-yard pass, setting up a Quinshon Judkins touchdown. Shortly afterward, Watson led a 62-yard drive that ended with a touchdown reception by Harold Fannin Jr.
Meanwhile, Deshaun Watson orchestrated the Browns’ offense, guiding the team through that high-scoring second quarter. His biggest moment came late in the fourth quarter after the Steelers rallied from a 24-16 deficit. With no timeouts left, Watson stepped up under pressure, putting the Browns in position for a game-winning field goal.
On the other hand, kicker Andre Szmyt showed his flair for the dramatic. With just 15 seconds remaining and the score tied 24-24, Szmyt took the field.
He drilled a 56-yard field goal, his longest of the night, with 10 seconds left. The kick sealed Cleveland’s 27-24 victory, capping a clutch late-game drive and handing Pittsburgh the loss.
Apart from these factors, the Steelers’ struggles on both sides of the ball also played a major role in the Browns’ victory.
The rookie wide receivers saved the day for the Browns
Boston delivered Cleveland’s biggest play through the air. During the Browns’ dominant second-quarter surge, Boston beat the Steelers’ secondary for a 60-yard reception. The explosive play set up a short Quinshon Judkins touchdown run, giving Cleveland momentum and its first lead of the game.
Concepcion wasn’t far behind. He became one of Watson’s main targets and recorded career highs in both receptions and receiving yards, finishing with five catches on a team-high eight targets for 64 receiving yards.
His performance was a major rebound after he was limited in Week 3. Concepcion repeatedly found openings in Pittsburgh’s coverage underneath and along the sidelines, including several important third-down conversions that helped keep Cleveland’s drives alive.
Moreover, both teams suffered significant blows because of injuries during the game.
Mason Graham and Derrick Harmon’s injuries
Browns defensive tackle Mason Graham exited in the first half after suffering a left knee injury. He was later taken to the locker room and ruled out for the rest of the game.
Notably, losing Graham early weakened Cleveland’s defensive line. That helped the Steelers establish an effective running attack with Jaylen Warren, who finished with 93 rushing yards, while also giving Aaron Rodgers more time during Pittsburgh’s early scoring drives.
On the other hand, Steelers defensive lineman Derrick Harmon suffered a foot injury in the second quarter. The injury was serious enough for him to be carted directly to the locker room, and he was unable to return for the remainder of the night.
Harmon’s departure dealt another blow to Pittsburgh’s defensive front just as Cleveland began its second-quarter surge. Without Harmon anchoring the interior, the Browns took advantage.
DK Metcalf’s unsportsmanlike conduct
Yesterday, on a key third-and-3 play in the first quarter inside Cleveland territory, DK Metcalf caught a 7-yard pass for a first down. Immediately after the whistle, Metcalf dropped the football directly onto a Browns player as he was trying to get up.
The officials flagged Metcalf for taunting, wiping out the field-position gain, and sending Pittsburgh back 15 yards.
Although the penalty didn’t derail the opening drive, which ended four plays later with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers to Roman Wilson, Metcalf is now awaiting the NFL’s standard disciplinary review.
The NFL routinely announces monetary fines on Saturdays for on-field conduct penalties from games played earlier in the week. Under the league’s fine schedule, a first-offense taunting violation can result in a significant financial penalty.
Because this was a standard post-play taunting penalty rather than a physical altercation or ejection, a suspension would not normally be expected. Metcalf could still face a fine from the NFL for the incident.