Deshaun Watson led his third consecutive fourth-quarter winning drive on Thursday night, lifting the Cleveland Browns to a 27-24 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The win moves Cleveland to 3-1 and into sole possession of first place in the AFC North, marking the franchise’s first 3-1 start to a season since 2021.
The decisive moment came with 10 seconds remaining when kicker Andre Szmyt converted a career-long 56-yard field goal. The drive followed a late comeback by the Steelers, led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers, which had tied the game at 24. Following Szmyt’s kick, Browns safety Grant Delpit intercepted Rodgers with one second left on the clock to prevent a final Steelers response.
Watson finished the game 24-of-33 for 268 yards, recording one touchdown and one interception. By leading three straight winning drives, Watson joined Brian Sipe (1979) as the only quarterbacks in Browns history to accomplish the feat since the 1970 merger.
The Steelers’ defense, which allowed 21 points in the second quarter, tightened in the second half to allow the Rodgers-led rally. However, the loss continues a difficult trend for Pittsburgh in mid-week divisional matchups; the Steelers are now 0-10 on the road against AFC North opponents on Thursday Night Football.
Cleveland’s offensive efficiency during the final drive was a point of emphasis in the post-game analysis. Watson was sharp in the closing minutes, completing four passes to move the Browns into field goal range. This late-game execution has become a defining characteristic of the Browns’ early-season success, as the team has relied on Watson’s ability to manage high-pressure situations in three consecutive weeks.
With the win, Cleveland establishes an early lead in a competitive division. The Steelers drop to 2-2, while the Browns prepare for a Week 5 schedule as the current pace-setters in the North. The performance by Szmyt, a 56-yard strike under pressure, provides Cleveland with a reliable long-distance kicking option that proved the difference in a game where Rodgers and the Steelers’ offense found rhythm late.
