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Steelers vs. Browns Recap: Browns stun Steelers in the snow, 24-19

The Pittsburgh Steelers entered Week 12 with a 5-game winning streak and an 8-2 record. On the other side of the field were the Cleveland Browns, losers of their last two and a 2-8 record. Thursday Night Football is not often kind to the visiting team, so you had to wonder if that would spell doom for the visiting Steelers.

But these are just some of the storylines heading into the game, let’s get to the recap and highlights of the Week 12 game…

1st Quarter

The Cleveland Browns won the opening coin toss and elected to defer their to the second half. It was Russell Wilson and the Pittsburgh Steelers offense taking the field first, and the offense was able to move the ball down the field with several 3rd down conversions. However, on a key 3rd and 3, Russell Wilson was sacked by Myles Garrett pushing the offense on the cusp of field goal range. The 58-yard field goal attempt was no good for Chris Boswell, only his second miss of the season.

The Browns took over with good field position, but weren’t able to even muster a first down before sending the ball back to Pittsburgh.

It was another disappointing drive for the Steelers on their second drive. Despite big plays to move near field goal range, a 4th and 2 run by Justin Fields was stopped short and gave the Browns good field position yet again.

Another Cleveland three-and-out gave the ball right back to the Steelers, and Pittsburgh would have the ball as the quarter ended,

Score after the 1st Quarter: Steelers 0, Browns 0

2nd Quarter

The Steelers were starting the quarter and faced another key 3rd and medium. It was another chunk play, this one to Calvin Austin III, to get the offense into field goal range.

The drive never reached the red-zone, and Boswell made his second attempt, this from 48, to make the score 3-0 with 10:53 left in half.

Despite starting the ensuing drive from their 20-yard line, the Browns put together a masterful drive with quality run and pass plays to move the ball into the red-zone. While it was Jerry Jeudy which got them there, it was Nick Chubb who finished off the drive with a touchdown.

The extra point made it 7-3 with 4:00 left in the quarter.

With the Steelers looking to answer the touchdown, it wasn’t an answer it was a turnover which happened. While Russell Wilson stepped up into the pocket Myles Garrett stripped the ball and it was recovered by Cleveland.

The Steelers defense stood tall and forced a 34-yard field goal to make the score 10-3 with just 40 seconds left in the first half.

The drive didn’t equate to points, and the score would hold heading into halftime.

Score at Halftime: Browns 10, Steelers 3

3rd Quarter

The Browns started with the ball to start the second half, and when the Browns moved the ball past midfield it was DeShon Elliott who made the next big play. After a completion, Elliott dislodged the ball and it was recovered by Donte Jackson for the Steelers first takeaway of the game.

The excitement was short-lived as the Steelers got near midfield facing a 4th and 1, went for it, again, and were stuffed again. It was the second time they turned the ball over on downs in the game.

The Steelers defense got a three-and-out, and getting the ball right back to their offense. The offense responded with a drive which ended in points, just not a touchdown. The Steelers’ streak without a touchdown continued with a Chris Boswell chip shot field goal to make the score 10-6 with 1:56 remaining in the quarter as the snow began to fall, and stick, in Cleveland.

The score would hold at the end of the quarter.

Score after the 3rd Quarter: Browns 10, Steelers 6

4th Quarter

Cleveland’s offense was humming, and they continued to move the ball on the Steelers defense. It wasn’t they were just moving the ball, but they were doing so with time-consuming drives. The difference between their drives and the Steelers is how they ended. On 4th and goal, Jameis Winston ran it in for the touchdown.

The Browns went for the two-point conversion, and got it, making the score 18-6 with 12:16 remaining in regulation.

Entering put-up-or-shut-up time, the Steelers offense responded. What was different about this drive was how it was spawned by a Justin Fields run which moved the ball into Cleveland territory. Fields continued to play more and more, and eventually got the offense into the red-zone. For the first time in over a week, the Steelers capitalized with a Jaylen Warren run.

Chris Boswell’s extra point was good, making the score 18-13 with 7:57 remaining in regulation.

Desperately needing a play, the Steelers defense stood tall when it mattered most. It was Nick Herbig who beat the left tackle cleanly and strip-sacked Winston with Pittsburgh recovering the football.

The offense cashed in quickly with Russell Wilson hitting Calvin Austin III for the go-ahead touchdown.

The Steelers went for two, but failed, making the score 19-18 with 6:15 left in the 4th quarter.

A big completion to Jerry Jeudy on the ensuing drive moved the Browns into Pittsburgh territory, but on a 3rd and 10 it was Winston who made his first mistake of the game. Winston’s pass was intercepted by Donte Jackson, giving the Steelers the football back with 4:22 left in regulation.

The Steelers weren’t able to even must a first down before punting the ball for the first time in the game. Corliss Waitman shanked the punt and gave Cleveland the ball in Pittsburgh territory. After a critical 4th and 4 conversion to Jerry Jeudy, the Browns were in field goal territory at the 2-minute warning.

A huge 3rd down conversion to Jerry Jeudy combined with a defensive penalty moved the ball into a 1st-and-goal situation. Nick Chubb finished the drive with his second touchdown of the game.

The Browns two-point conversion failed, making the score 24-19 with 57 seconds left.

The Steelers held onto one timeout left, needing a touchdown to take the lead and win the game. Two completions got the ball near midfield, but the drive would end without points, giving the Steelers their third loss of the season.

FINAL SCORE: Browns 24, Steelers 19

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13.

Jeff Hartman

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