Watson leads third straight winning drive, puts Browns atop North
Deshaun Watson Leads Cleveland Browns to Dramatic 27-24 Victory Over Pittsburgh Steelers
CLEVELAND — Deshaun Watson delivered another clutch performance Thursday night, leading the Cleveland Browns to a thrilling 27-24 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers with a late-game drive that set up Andre Szmyt's decisive 56-yard field goal with just 10 seconds remaining.
The victory marked the Browns' third consecutive win and Watson's third straight game-winning drive, further strengthening Cleveland's position in the AFC North. The quarterback's late-game heroics came just four days after he helped secure a Week 3 home victory against the Carolina Panthers.
According to ESPN Research, Watson became the second Cleveland quarterback since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger to lead a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter or overtime in three consecutive games. Brian Sipe was the other quarterback to achieve the feat.
Following the dramatic win, Watson praised the atmosphere at Cleveland's stadium and the energy provided by the home crowd.
"It was electric. It was amazing," Watson said, describing the experience of playing before enthusiastic fans in a primetime divisional matchup.
Browns Build Strong First-Half Lead
Cleveland started the game with an impressive offensive performance, particularly during the second quarter. Watson threw for 181 yards in the first half, his highest first-half passing total in a game with the Browns.
The offense scored touchdowns on three consecutive second-quarter drives, helping Cleveland establish a commanding 21-10 halftime advantage. The team's 21 points in the quarter represented its highest-scoring quarter since the 2020 wild-card playoff round, when the Browns also faced the Steelers.
The strong start reflected a significant improvement from Cleveland's opening-week performance, when the team suffered a 24-point road defeat against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
However, the Browns' momentum slowed considerably after halftime, allowing Pittsburgh to fight its way back into the contest.
Steelers Capitalize on Watson's Turnovers
Watson's two turnovers played a major role in Pittsburgh's second-half comeback.
In the third quarter, Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt stripped Watson during a rushing attempt, allowing Pittsburgh to recover the football. Early in the fourth quarter, Watson threw a pass that was tipped and intercepted, giving the Steelers another opportunity to close the gap.
Pittsburgh capitalized on the interception by scoring a touchdown. However, the Steelers failed to convert their two-point attempt, leaving Cleveland with a 21-16 lead and 10:10 remaining in the game.
The Steelers continued to apply pressure, eventually tying the score at 24-24. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers connected with tight end Pat Freiermuth for a three-yard touchdown pass, and Rodgers subsequently completed a successful two-point conversion on a one-yard sneak.
With the game level, the pressure shifted back to Watson and the Browns' offense.
Watson Delivers When It Matters Most
Rather than allowing the earlier mistakes to define his performance, Watson responded with an efficient final drive.
The quarterback completed four consecutive passes to move Cleveland down the field and put the Browns within field-goal range. Although he was sacked for a four-yard loss two plays before the kick, the offense had already advanced far enough to give Szmyt an opportunity to win the game.
Szmyt converted the 56-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining, sending the home crowd into celebration and giving Cleveland a 27-24 lead.
Watson expressed confidence in the kicker after the game, saying he believed the attempt would be successful.
The Browns' defense then sealed the victory. Rodgers attempted a desperate pass in the closing moments, but safety Grant Delpit intercepted the throw to prevent Pittsburgh from mounting another comeback.
The combination of Watson's late-game composure, Szmyt's long-range accuracy and Cleveland's defensive execution proved decisive.
Browns Take Control of the AFC North
The victory improved Cleveland's record to 3-1, giving the franchise its first 3-1 start since the 2021 season. It also moved the Browns into sole possession of first place in the AFC North for the first time since November 9, 2014.
Cleveland extended its home winning streak against Pittsburgh to five consecutive games and its overall winning streak to eight games, according to the supplied report. The three-game winning run was also the Browns' first since the closing stretch of the 2023 season.
Head coach Todd Monken praised his players for responding after a difficult start to the season. He acknowledged the challenges the team faced in its opening game but emphasized the players' willingness to trust the process and improve.
The win against Pittsburgh was particularly significant because divisional matchups can have important consequences for playoff positioning later in the season.
Watson Finds His Rhythm in Cleveland
Watson's recent performances represent a notable change from the difficult moments surrounding his preseason appearances. More than a month after being booed by home supporters during a preseason game and subsequently expressing frustration with the fans, he has put together his strongest stretch with Cleveland since arriving in March 2022.
Although his two turnovers against Pittsburgh highlighted areas that still require improvement, his ability to lead another winning drive demonstrated his value in high-pressure situations.
The Browns will need greater consistency from their offense over four quarters if they hope to maintain their position near the top of the division. Limiting turnovers and sustaining their early-game momentum will be important priorities moving forward.
For now, however, Cleveland can celebrate a memorable divisional victory. Watson's late-game leadership, Szmyt's 56-yard field goal and Delpit's decisive interception combined to produce a dramatic finish against a longtime rival.
With three consecutive victories and renewed momentum, the Browns have given their supporters reason for optimism as the NFL season continues.
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