Welcome to a very special edition of the Steelers Depot game blog. On the last day of the regular season, a whole lot will be happening for the Pittsburgh Steelers and their playoff chances during the 1:00 PM ET slot. Of course, the Steelers will host the Cleveland Browns and must win, but there will be a lot of scoreboard watching throughout the game as both the Buffalo Bills vs. Patriots game and the New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins game are important to the Steelers’ chances.
Refresh the page throughout the game for video highlights, curated tweets, and live updates from around the league. Also, visit the comment section at the bottom of the page to discuss the game with other fans in real-time.
This will be the Steelers first game played against the Deshaun Watson led Browns. There figures to be a lot of pressure on Watson with some of his offensive line banged up. TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith have fared well in their projected matchups in the past.
Kenny Pickett will look to continue his play from the past two weeks that has catapulted him into the ‘future franchise quarterback’ conversation.
STEELERS INACTIVE PLAYERS
S Tre Norwood
QB Mason Rudolph
G Kendrick Green
ILB Tae Crowder
DT Jonathan Marshall
OLB Malik Reed
BROWNS INACTIVE PLAYERS
DE Jadeveon Clowney
T Jack Conklin
DE Isaiah Thomas
QB Kellen Mond
WR Demetric Felton Jr.
CB Thomas Graham Jr.
DT Ben Stille
The inactive list is as expected. The only surprise is Denzel Ward not being inactive for the Browns after failing to practice all week. Good for the Steelers that Minkah Fitzpatrick and Myles Jack are good to go.
The Steelers won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. Deshaun Watson and the Browns will start the game with the ball.
START OF GAME.
The kickoff was fumbled at first, but returned to the 24 yard line.
The first offensive play for the Browns went for 19 yards, but the Steelers took care of business forcing the punt after the next three plays. Terrell Edmunds had a nice deflection on 3rd down to force the punt.
The Buffalo Bills are off to an early lead with a touchdown in the first 20 seconds of the game.
The first three plays for the Steelers, Najee Harris rushed for 22 yards. Jaylen Warren checked in on 2nd down for 3 yards. On 3rd and 1, Connor Heyward rushed for 6 yards and a first down. Nice pre-snap motion on that play.
On 1st and 10, Kenny Pickett incomplete to Diontae Johnson. A bad drop for Johnson. On 2nd, Najee Harris lost three yards trying to bend it back to make something of nothing. On 3rd and 13, offsides on the defense. The free play was a deep bomb to Pickens on target, but he was heavily interfered with. No call by the refs. 3rd and 8, Pickett evaded pressure and found Diontae Johnson who turned upfield for 32 yards.
On 1st and goal, Pickett handed off to Najee Harris who made a great second effort to make it 2nd and inches to the goal line. On 2nd and goal, Pickett was stuffed for no gain. 3rd and goal Najee Harris dove for the goal line and was met in the air. He fumbled recovered by Cleveland. That great drive amounts to nothing.
The Browns dug themselves out of their own five yard line and have a 3rd and 1 from their own 24. They were stuffed just short of the line to gain and will punt.
A bad snap for the Miami Dolphins resulted in a turnover. The New York Jets get the ball back with a score of 0-0.
The Steelers get the ball back at their own 29 yard line after Steven Sims’ return.
Diontae Johnson fumbled the ball after Denzel Ward punched it out. Browns will have excellent field position. The call on the field of a fumble was reversed. The pass is incomplete. So now two drops for Diontae Johnson, but this one was beneficial.
Steven Sims with the Jet Sweep on 2nd down for 19 yards. A fresh set of downs.
A big sack on Kenny Pickett, but illegal contact wipes out the play. On 1st down, Najee Harris rushed for two yards. On 2nd, Pickett targeted Pat Freiermuth. The placement on the pass wasn’t great and it led to a pass break up. 3rd and 8, Pickett targeted Diontae Johnson over the middle, but it was too high and incomplete. Pressley Harvin III’s punt took a Steelers bounce and was downed at the six yard line.
Back to back drives the Browns start at the five and now the six. Steelers are currently winning the field position battle, but must capitalize. On 1st down, a big completion to Donovan Peoples-Jones for 38 yards.
On 1st and 10, Deshaun Watson sacked by TJ Watt and Cameron Heyward.
END OF 1ST QUARTER: 0-0 EVEN.
The Bills and Patriots are tied 7-7. The Jets and the Dolphins are tied 0-0. So far, not much clarity for the Steelers’ playoff path.
On 2nd and 15, Chubb rushed for 8 yards. On 3rd and 7, Kareem Hunt had nowhere to go on the check down pass. A loss of three yards. The punt went for a touchback.
Ineligible man downfield on the screen pass. Najee Harris’ 45 yard pickup wiped out by penalty. Kevin Dotson called for the penalty. 1st and 15, Jaylen Warren stopped for a one yard gain. On 2nd and 14, Jaylen Warren caught the check down pass for just a few yards. 3rd and 10, Pickett sailed the pass way over George Pickens. Pickett is being uncharacteristically inaccurate so far today.
Cameron Sutton nearly intercepted the first down pass, but it was incomplete. On 2nd and 10, Chubb gained about 7 yards. 3rd and 3, Watson complete to his TE, Bryant for a first down.
On 1st and 10, Alex Highsmith stopped the run for no gain. On 2nd and 10, Watson evaded pressure and threw the ball away. On 3rd and 10, Watson evaded pressure and incomplete, but defensive holding gives them a fresh set of downs.
Just outside the red zone, the Browns call timeout #2 on 3rd and 1. The fake QB sneak pitch toss to Nick Chubb converted. The Browns have the ball inside the 10 yard line.
1st and goal, Watson complete to David Njoku for a touchdown. 7-0 Browns.
6:27 left in the half, but keep in mind the Steelers get the ball back in the second half.
The Dolphins are up 3-0 as the half winds down in Miami. The Bills lead 14-7. So far, only one of the three outcomes are looking favorable for the Steelers.
The Steelers start at their own 25 yard line. The first play was a pass to Zach Gentry wide open in the middle of the field for 23 yards.
On 1st and 10, Najee Harris rushed for two. On 2nd and 8, Gunner Olszewski’s jet sweep went for three yards. Kenny Pickett targeted Diontae Johnson deep, but it fell incomplete. Pass interference bails out the Steelers.
On 1st and 10, Jaylen Warren up the middle for 6 yards. On 2nd, Warren again up the middle for another 2 yards. 3rd and 1, Kenny Pickett dumped the ball off to Jaylen Warren before getting sacked. A miraculous conversion for the Steelers.
TWO MINUTE WARNING.
The Steelers have 2nd and 10 after the break. Another target to Diontae Johnson deep in the end zone falling incomplete. Diontae needs to get less looks in the second half. He is having a brutal game. 3rd and 10 turns into 3rd and 15 after a delay of game. Kenny Pickett to George Pickens wide open in the end zone. 7-7 Even.
On 1st and 10, a complete pass to Kareem Hunt for four yards. 1:23 to play, on 2nd down Watson tossed an interception to Levi Wallace.
The Steelers have three timeouts and a little over a minute remaining. Diontae Johnson registered his fourth drop of the day. The next play, Pickett to Pickens along the sideline for 24 yards. The next play a very similar play. Pickens called out of bounds, but it looks like it was possibly a catch. They are taking a closer look at it. The Steelers would be within the 10 yard line if it stands.
Chris Boswell’s field goal is good. Three points off the turnover. 10-7 Steelers.
The Browns get the ball back at the 25 yard line with one timeout and 00:33 to go in the half. Deshaun Watson rushed up the middle for a handful of yards. Timeout #3 called by the Browns. 2nd and 3, Watson’s pass was batted down at the line of scrimmage. Cameron Heyward nearly picked it off. They converted and spiked the ball. 00:07 remaining in the half. Timeout #2 taken by the Steelers.
2nd and 10, from their own 47, Watson fumbled.
END OF HALF 10-7 STEELERS.
