Steelers fall to Browns, 24-19
CLEVELAND - Thursday night games are often sloppy affairs.
Add in some lake effect snow, and the sloppiness gets even greater.
The Steelers couldn't survive a sloppy performance Thursday night here at Huntington Bank Stadium, as the Browns scored on a Nick Chubb touchdown run with 57 seconds remaining to lift Cleveland to a 24-19 win.
With heavy snows falling throughout the game, the field became a treacherous slip-n-slide over the course of the game, with stadium workers coming out in between plays to clean off the yard lines.
The Steelers also failed on multiple fourth-down attempts in the game and missed a field goal early to fall to 8-3.
1 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Alysa Rubin/Pittsburgh Steelers
2 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Alysa Rubin/Pittsburgh Steelers
3 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Alysa Rubin/Pittsburgh Steelers
4 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
5 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
6 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Broderick Jones (77) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
7 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Alysa Rubin/Pittsburgh Steelers
8 / 54
The Pittsburgh Steelers offense during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Taylor Ollason/Pittsburgh Steelers
9 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Taylor Ollason/Pittsburgh Steelers
10 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
11 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
12 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Taylor Ollason/Pittsburgh Steelers
13 / 54
during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
14 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (25) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts (50) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Taylor Ollason/Pittsburgh Steelers
15 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Alysa Rubin/Pittsburgh Steelers
16 / 54
The Pittsburgh Steelers offense during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Alysa Rubin/Pittsburgh Steelers
17 / 54
The Pittsburgh Steelers defense during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Alysa Rubin/Pittsburgh Steelers
18 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Alysa Rubin/Pittsburgh Steelers
19 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers guard Mason McCormick (66) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Alysa Rubin/Pittsburgh Steelers
20 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Preston Smith (91) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Alysa Rubin/Pittsburgh Steelers
21 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Alysa Rubin/Pittsburgh Steelers
22 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Alysa Rubin/Pittsburgh Steelers
23 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Alysa Rubin/Pittsburgh Steelers
24 / 54
The Pittsburgh Steelers during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
25 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
26 / 54
The Pittsburgh Steelers defense during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
27 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
28 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
29 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. (65) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
30 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (25) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
31 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (25) and Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon (49) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Alysa Rubin/Pittsburgh Steelers
32 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (25) and the defense during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
33 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
34 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
35 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo (73) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Alysa Rubin/Pittsburgh Steelers
36 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
37 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
38 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
39 / 54
The Pittsburgh Steelers offenseduring a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
40 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
41 / 54
The Pittsburgh Steelersduring a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
42 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Miles Killebrew (28) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
43 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington (80) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
44 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
45 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo (73) and Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
46 / 54
during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Taylor Ollason/Pittsburgh Steelers
47 / 54
during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Taylor Ollason/Pittsburgh Steelers
48 / 54
during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Taylor Ollason/Pittsburgh Steelers
49 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Isaiahh Loudermilk (92) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
50 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
51 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
52 / 54
The Pittsburgh Steelers offense during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
53 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
54 / 54
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
Cleveland (3-8) overcame a couple of late turnovers by quarterback Jameis Winston to come away with their second upset win in recent weeks over an AFC North rival. The Browns defeated the Ravens here, 29-24, on Oct. 27.
"I'd like to compliment the Cleveland Browns," said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. "They brought it tonight. It was a hard-fought game. They made more plays over the course of a 60-minute game. We've got to own our portions of it. Particularly early on, it took us too long to warm up to the action. We were penalized some with pre-snap penalties. We weren't really sharp. We got going. Our guys fought. But it wasn't enough to secure a victory."
Winston completed 18 of 27 passes for 219 yards with an interception, while Chubb scored a pair of touchdowns while running for 59 yards on 20 carries.
Russell Wilson was 21 of 28 for 270 yards and a touchdown for the Steelers, who dropped to 1-5-1 in their past six trips to Cleveland and 0-4 on Thursday nights against the Browns on the road.
The Steelers had two promising drives to start the game but came away empty both times despite driving into Cleveland territory.
Wilson was sacked on third-and-3 at the Cleveland 32 by Garrett for an 8-yard loss. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin chose to have Chris Boswell attempt a 58-yard field goal, but Boswell's attempt went wide right to keep the game scoreless.
The Steelers forced a three-and-out and a Cleveland punt and again drove into Browns territory, this time getting to the 38 where they faced fourth-and-2. But Justin Fields, who entered in place of Wilson in the short-yardage situation, was stopped for a two-yard loss, turning the ball over on downs.
The Steelers finally did score on their third possession, as Wilson connected with Calvin Austin III on a 46-yard pass to set up a 48-yard field goal by Boswell and a 3-0 lead.
The Browns, who hadn't had a first down to that point, answered with a touchdown drive, including converting on fourth-and-1 at the Pittsburgh 16.
"They made some of those fourth-and-shorts and we didn't," said Steelers defensive lineman Isaiaah Loudermilk. "We pride ourselves in stopping those kind of plays, and we just didn't do it."
Chubb then scored on a 2-yard run to give Cleveland a 7-3 lead with 4:00 remaining in the half.
Looking to get a score before the end of the half, Wilson attempted to step up in the pocket on second down at his own 32, but Garrett got a hand on the ball and knocked it loose. Winston Reid recovered the loose ball at the Pittsburgh 31.
That set up a 34-yard Dustin Hopkins field goal that pushed Cleveland's lead to 10-3.
Wilson connected with Pat Freiermuth on a 19-yard gain to midfield with 40 seconds remaining, but he was sacked again by Garrett, this time up the middle on a stunt, to end the half.
The Steelers got a turnover to open the second half, as DeShon Elliott stripped wide receiver Cedric Tillman of the ball at the end of a 24-yard catch, with Donte Jackson recovering the loose ball.
But on fourth-and-1 from the 46, Jaylen Warren was stopped for a 1-yard loss, the Steelers' second turnover on downs in the game. The Steelers, however, forced a three-and-out and a punt to avoid any more damage.
The Steelers mounted another drive on their next possession, with Wilson connecting with Van Jefferson on a 35-yard gain on third-and-10. On fourth-and-1 at the Cleveland 22, Tomlin initially sent Boswell out for another field goal attempt.
But with snow falling heavily, Tomlin decided to eschew a 41-yard attempt and went for the first down, with Wilson converting on a pass to tight end Pat Freiermuth.
The Steelers stalled, however, as a second-down snap nearly sailed over Wilson's head and turned into a sack. Boswell kicked a 28-yard field goal that cut Cleveland's lead to 10-6 with 1:56 remaining in the third quarter.
Winston hit on a 29-yard pass to tight end Blake Whiteheart downfield against cornerback Donte Jackson on Cleveland's next possession, and Chubb converted a fourth-and-1 run as Cleveland moved to the Pittsburgh 2. On fourth-and-2, Winston was flushed from the pocket by Nick Herbig and ran to his right, diving into the end zone while being hit by Cam Heyward to score.
Winston then threw a two-point conversion pass to David Njoku to push Cleveland's advantage to 18-6 with just over 12 minutes remaining in the game.
The Steelers cut into that lead on their ensuing possession, as Fields stepped in at QB in place of Wilson and gained 30 yards on a read-option and then was roughed on a passing attempt to push the ball to the Cleveland 22.
Warren finished off the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run with just under 8 minutes remaining to trim the Browns' lead to 18-13.
The Steelers got the ball right back as Nick Herbig sacked Watson on second down, forcing a fumble that Elliott recovered. On third-and-6, Wilson threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Austin on a post against Greg Newsome. The Steelers failed on a two-point conversion play, however, and led 19-18 with 6:15 remaining.
Jackson intercepted Winston in Steelers territory on Cleveland's next possession, but the Steelers were unable to pick up a first down and punted the ball back to the Browns.
Corliss Waitman's punt traveled just 16 yards in the horrid conditions, and Cleveland picked up a first down to face third-and-2 coming out of the two-minute warning.
Patrick Queen blitzed and forced Winston into a pass that hit one of his linemen in the back. The Steelers accepted a 5-yard penalty for ill
