Category: Pittsburgh Steelers

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Steelers vs. Browns Week 14 Recap: Steelers capitalize on Browns mistakes in 27-14 win

The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the Week 14 game vs. the Cleveland Browns with big plans for their immediate future. The 10th win of the season was at stake, and, compared to the Browns, were looking to keeping their lead in the AFC North alive and well. For the visiting Browns, they were relegated to playing spoiler, something they did just two weeks ago when they beat the Steelers on Thursday Night Football in Cleveland.

A lot at stake in this matchup, so let’s get to the recap…

1st Quarter

The Browns won the opening coin toss and elected to defer their possession to the second half. This put Russell Wilson and company out on the field to start the game. The possession was brief, lasting only three plays before Corliss Waitman was called on to punt the ball away to the Browns. Pittsburgh’s defense matched the Browns and forced a three-and-out, giving the offense the ball at the Cleveland 35.

The drive got into the red-zone, but stalled and resulted in a Chris Boswell field goal. The 3-0 score stood with 9:33 remaining in the first quarter.

Cleveland’s next possession was vastly improved from their first. After the touchback Jameis Winston drove the Browns down the field with key conversions to extend the drive. But none was larger than the 3rd down completion to Jerry Jeudy for the first touchdown of the game.

The extra point was good, making the score 7-3 Browns with 5:50 left in the first quarter.

Another Steelers three-and-out gave the ball back to Cleveland with good field position, but the Pittsburgh defense was able to stand tall on 3rd down and force a punt, keeping the score 7-3. The Steelers failed to convert a 3rd down in the first quarter, keeping the score at the end of the first frame

Score After the 1st Quarter: Browns 7, Steelers 3

2nd Quarter

Both teams exchanged three-and-outs to start the quarter, but it was the Steelers defense who made the next big play. Trying to set up a screen, Jameis Winston was intercepted by Keeanu Benton for the first takeaway of the game.

A defensive pass interference call on Calvin Austin III set up the Steelers in the red-zone, and in a 1st and goal situation it was Najee Harris who took care of the rest.

The Boswell extra point was good, making the score 10-7 with 11:00 left in the half.

The next score came from the Steelers. Following a defensive stop the offense finally put together a drive which resulted in points. Unfortunately, an offensive pass interference call on Mike Williams pushed the offense back, and had to settle for a 54-yard Boswell field goal. The kick made the score 13-7 with 4:21 left in the 2nd quarter.

Cleveland took over looking to double-up the Steelers, and moved the ball into Pittsburgh territory with relative ease. In field goal range the Browns settled for a Hopkins field goal, but the kick sailed wide left keeping the score 13-7.

That score would hold heading into halftime.

Score at Halftime: Steelers 13, Browns 7

3rd Quarter

Cleveland started with the football to start the half, and Jerome Ford gave the Browns tremendous field position after a kickoff return got the offense the ball inside the Pittsburgh 40. The Browns continued to move the ball, and when it looked like they got the ball to the one-yard line, an offensive pass interference call moved the ball backwards. Cleveland settled for another field goal try, and Hopkins missed his second kick, this one a 43-yard kick, to keep the score 13-7 with 12:40 left in the quarter.

Pittsburgh’s offense got the ball for the first time of the second half, and they took advantage of the missed field goal with their first touchdown drive of the game which wasn’t set up by a takeaway.

Key 3rd down conversions to Pat Freiermuth and Jaylen Warren moved the ball into the red-zone, and when the field go short it was Russell Wilson hitting Van Jefferson for the touchdown.

Boswell’s extra point was good, making the score 20-7 with 8:37 left in the 3rd quarter.

Needing points to narrow the Steelers’ lead, the Browns moved the ball near midfield and faced a 4th and short to keep their drive alive. Instead of punting the ball and pinning the Steelers deep in their own end, they elected to go for it. Elandon Roberts read the play perfectly and go the tackle for loss, and the turnover on downs.

Starting with great field position, the Steelers offense faced a key 3rd and 6, and it was Wilson hitting Mike Williams to move the ball into the red-zone.

Once in the red-zone, the Steelers continued to add touchdowns and not rely on Boswell field goals to add to their point total. The next possession ended with a Wilson to Pat Freiermuth touchdown.

It was more points off turnovers, and the Boswell extra point was good, making the score 27-7 with 3:51 left in the 3rd quarter.

Cleveland moved the ball into Pittsburgh territory on the ensuing drive to end the quarter.

Score After the 3rd Quarter: Steelers 27, Browns 7

4th Quarter

The Browns were looking to go for it on 4th down, but a sack by Cam Heyward on the previous down combined with a personal foul penalty on Cleveland pushed them into a 4th and 26. They elected to punt the ball away to the Steelers.

The punt was downed inside the Steelers 5, and it resulted in a three-and-out. Cleveland’s next drive started near their 20, and they slowly matriculated their way down the field. The end result of the drive was a touchdown pass to David Njoku.

The extra point was good, making the score 27-14 with 7:19 remaining in regulation.

The Steelers looked to ice away the game on their next drive, and after a huge 3rd down conversion to Scotty Miller it looked like they would do just that. However, Cordarrelle Patterson fumbled on the next drive, giving the Browns new life at midfield.

The Browns new life was short-lived as Winston threw his second interception of the game, this one to James Pierre to ice the game.

Pittsburgh was unable to ice away the game, instead just killing more clock on their next possession. With 3:03 left in regulation, Corliss Waitman punted the ball to Cleveland, but Kadarius Toney fumbled the punt and it was recovered by Ben Skowronek for another takeaway.

The turnover set up the Steelers just outside the red-zone, and the Steelers would run the clock down to the two-minute warning. A Najee Harris first down iced the 10th win for the black-and-gold.

FINAL SCORE: Steelers 27, Browns 14

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15.

Jeff Hartman

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