The Pittsburgh Steelers will host their second straight game to open the season against the Cleveland Browns. Its time for some AFC North football and though its only week two, the Steelers have a lot at stake. Should they lose, they will be staring at an 0-2 start in a division where two teams are 2-0 with a division win each. Thats essentially 2.5 games out of the division lead which would obviously be an unideal way to open the season.
The Browns stifled the Cincinnati Bengals in week one in a game with inclement weather. Joe Burrow and the Bengals’ offense were unable to get much of anything accomplished despite high expectations. Naturally, there are some worries given the Steelers ugly week one performance. Diontae Johnson, Anthony McFarland Jr., and Cameron Heyward have been sent to IR, so they will be unavailable for some time.
The ‘next men up’ carry a lot of responsibility heading into this game. Gunner Olszewski figures to take over the kick return duties. Cameron Heyward won’t be replaceable by one player, so a committee will be employed along the DL. Diontae Johnson’s role will be best filled by Calvin Austin III which will also create more opportunities further down the depth chart. That is a lot of players playing in their first ever AFC North game.
As always, refresh this page throughout the game as I will curate live updates, interesting tweets, video highlights and more. You can also visit the comment section at the bottom of the page where hundreds of fans gather every week to discuss the game in real time.
Steelers’ Inactive Players:
QB Mason Rudolph (3rd)
T Dylan Cook
WR Dez Fitzpatrick
CB Desmond King II
Browns’ Inactive Players:
CB Kahlef Hailassie
S Ronnie Hickman
C Luke Wypler
DE Isaiah McGuire
DT Siaki Ika
The Steelers will kickoff to start this week’s game.
START OF GAME
The opening kickoff resulted in a touchback. The Browns and Deshaun Watson take over from the 25.
The first play of the game was a tipped pass intercepted by Alex Highsmith who returned it all the way for a touchdown. 7-0 Steelers.
After a dreadful game lacking anything good, the Steelers start to the right the ship from the first play of the game. Amazing.
Chros Boswell with another kickoff early, and another touchback. The crowd is amped up. This opens up everything for the Steelers.
Nick Chubb rushed for three yards on first down. The Browns call a timeout after what appeared to be a miscommunication in the huddle. The crowd noise is already creating issues. On 2nd down, Minkah Fitzpatrick made the stop to make it 3rd and 1. Elijah Moore picked up 6 yards. On 3rd and 1, the Steelers load up the box. Deshaun Watson went on the move to throw into the flats to Amari Cooper.
On 1st and 10, Nick Chubb rushed for 7 on the toss play. Alex Highsmith chased him down, nearly for the TFL. On 2nd and 3, Chubb checked out of the game. The Brows convert again with a completion to David Bell. Minkah Fitzpatrick and Patrick Peterson teamed up for the tackle.
Another quick pass with the RPO WR screen to pickup 7 yards on 1st down. On 2nd, Watson scrambled to escape pressure and took off for the first down.
On 1st and 10, Chubb gained about 2.5 yards to enter the red zone. 2nd and 8, Chubb rushed for another first down up the middle, but the offense was called for holding. Dawand Jones was called for holding, so the first signs of issues for the rookie tackle making his first start. On 2nd and 17, Chubb gained about 9 to make it a manageable 3rd down. Still, TJ Watt and the pass rush should be coming here. 3rd and 8, an incomplete pass intended for Elijah Moore. Excellent coverage by the rookie Joey Porter Jr. The rookie killed the drive! Cleveland made their field goal to get on the board. 7-3 Steelers.
The Browns kickoff was caught by Gunner Olszewski who could have let it go out of bounds for a free 40 yard line start for the offense. A huge mental error by Gunner who toe-tapped the sideline. The first play was an out route to Allen Robinson II for a gain of 8 yard. Pickett went back to Robinson on the in breaking route, but Kenny was a hair behind on the throw to allow the break up. 3rd and 3, Kenny Pickett was intercepted by Grant Delpit who undercut the route. The Browns are in the red zone. Kenny continuing his rough start to the season.
On 1st down, Larry Ogunjobi in for the sack. A loss of six. On 2nd, David Njoku caught the screen, but Minkah Fitzpatrick and Chandon Sullivan blew it up for a gain of just one. 3rd and 16, time for TJ Watt or Alex Highsmith to put this drive to rest and hold the Browns to a field goal chance. Watson let it fly, but missed Elijah Moore who would have been short anyways. Great job by the defense to hold the lead after that terrible special teams and offensive blunder. The field goal was no good. The Steelers offensive drive continues as if it never ended, and they gained yardage in the process.
Its all well and good, but the defense is about to start being gassed early in this game if the offense can’t get it together. Not good against Nick Chubb and this offensive line.
Najee Harris was tackled for a loss of three yards on first down. 2nd and 13, a toss to Harris to the left side and he was brought down for no gain. 3rd and 13, dangerous territory against this Cleveland pass rush. Jaylen Warren checked into the game. False start backs the Steelers up 5 more yards. Chuks Okorafor was the offending player. That probably should have been a neutral zone infraction. Jaylen Warren got about 15 yards, but just short of the line to gain. If the penalty hadn’t have happened it would have converted. The Browns attempted the New England Patriots blocking technique they debuted on Sunday Night Football. Something to keep an eye on the rest of the game.
The Pressley Harvin III punt was very strong, being downed at the 5 yard line. The defense can keep this drive nice and easy if they play their cards right.
The Steelers defense rolled out the three safety look deep in the Browns end. Watson is going to be forced to make a throw from the end zone if they can stop the run. On 1st down, Chubb ran into his own guard, but bounced off to gain 7. 2nd and 3, TJ Watt pushed the blocker back into the runner for no gain. 3rd and 4, Patrick Peterson in coverage and the pass was caught for 17 yards. Peterson was in good position, but Cooper hauled it in. DPI called, but declined.
Nick Chubb bounced off some weak tackles to gain 20 yards on the ground. On 1st and 10, Chubb up the middle again for a gain of 9. Damontae Kazee finally brought him down. Chubb is picking up steam and this could get real ugly. Offense needs to possess the ball. The 2nd down run was shut down for no gain. 3rd and 1, Alex Highsmith pressured Watson who nearly completed the first down, but it fell incomplete. The Browns go for it on 4th and 1. Deshaun Watson ran the read option and kept the ball himself for a fresh set of downs.
The Steelers have challenged the ruling on the field. The ball came loose prior to the line to gain. He recovered, but he might not have had enough yards to convert. Its going to be tough to overturn, but worth a shot by Tomlin. He had the quarter stoppage to evaluate.
This has turned into a rather lengthy review which tells me they don’t have enough to overturn. The turnover on downs would be huge here. The Steelers won the challenge. Let’s go! Larry Ogunjobi ruled to have recovered the ball.
Kenny Pickett and the offense take over from the 42. Chukwuma Okorafor called for another false start. That is the second of the night for him. Keep in mind Broderick Jones worked at RT all week. Another false start and we could see the rookie first round pick enter the game.
On 1st and 15, Kenny Pickett to Gunner Olszewski. Gunner was hit hard and fumbled. After some weird bounces on the ball, the Browns recovered and nearly scored, but the ball went out of bounds. Gunner may or may not have had possession, though it was ruled on the play as a fumble. So we enter another possible lengthy review.
They ruled it a fumble, so the Browns have the ball in the red zone. On 1st and 10, Chubb ran for three yards tackled by Alex Highsmith.
END OF 1ST QUARTER: 7-3 STEELERS.
Amari Cooper set up 1st and goal from the 8 with the 2nd down reception.
1st and goal, Chubb up the middle for about 5. Nick Chubb and Minkah Fitzpatrick injured on the play. Two huge injuries if they are both lost for the game. Nick Chubb’s injury apparently looked pretty brutal on the replay, per the commentators. This is game changing on both fronts. This is not what anyone wants to see.
Gunner Olszewski appears to have been concussed on that fumble play too. Double yoi.
Deshaun Watson connected with Jerome Ford on the move to score. Patrick Peterson hopped offsides, so the Browns are taking the two point try from the one yard line. They convert. 11-7 Browns.
Kenny Pickett and the Steelers are in search of their first 1st down of the night. Allen Robinson over the middle for 5 yards. On 2nd and 5, Najee Harris up the middle for about 2, so another 3rd and 3 attempt for the Steelers – their second of the night. Jaylen Warren caught the ball in the flat and he turned upfield for 30 yards. He lowered the boom to finish the run too instead of running out of bounds.
Kenny Pickett threw the 2nd down pass with too much heat and Calvin Austin III couldn’t bring it in. 3rd and 12, Pickett threw the ball away and got crushed by a QB hit. The offensive line has actually been protecting great too against the pass rush.
Pressley Harvin’s punt was downed at the 9. Could have been better, but thats a big hole to dig out of without Nick Chubb.
Montravius Adams with the pressure and the 1st down play fell incomplete. On 2nd and 10, Demarvin Leal got the sack as Watson attempted to escape pressure. Browns called for holding on that play, but it was declined. 3rd and long coming up. Leal could have been flagged for a face mask, but no call. On 3rd, TJ Watt got pressure and forced the incomplete pass. A punt from deep in their own end coming for the Browns. The offense must make the most of this field position.
Calvin Austin III returned the punt 14 yards. A strong run for him through multiple tackles. He just bounces off tacklers. Calvin Austin is going to be special at some point in his career.
On 1st and 10, Najee Harris bounced outside for a gain of 5. On 2nd and 5, Najee Harris gained no yards tackled at the line after a catch in the flat. Kenny Pickett’s 3rd down pass fell incomplete under pressure. George Pickens was targeted, but the pressure made it off target. The 52 yard field goal was good. 11-10 Browns.
The kickoff resulted in a touchback.
Deshaun Watson kept the ball on 2nd down and Alex Highsmith made the TFL. Watson was deemed a runner, so no sack. 3rd and 7, incomplete deep to Elijah Moore. He was out of bounds. Levi Wallace in tight coverage.
Calvin Austin III called for a fair catch at the 18 yard line.
Najee Harris had to fight to get back to the LOS on 1st down. A loaded up box and they run up the middle? On 2nd and 10, Kenny Pickett stumbled and dumped the ball off to Najee who dropped the pass. He had a chance at some yardage there if he brought it in. He just needed to make one guy miss. 3rd and 10, Pickett connected with Pickens across the middle. Pickens looked like a gazelle out there as he raced to the end zone. Touchdown!
Kenny Pickett injured on the play holding his shoulder. He checked back into the game for the two point attempt after a Browns penalty. The Steelers giving Cleveland some of their own medicine.
The two point attempt, Najee Harris dove over the pile and fumbled. The Steelers recovered, but because it was fumbled short the advancement doesn’t count. 16-11 Steelers.
The kickoff resulted in a turnover. On 1st and 10, Amari Cooper incomplete over the middle. Dawand Jones getting away with some false start action. On 2nd, Kwon Alexander in for the TFL. 3rd and 11, incomplete out of bounds to Elijah Moore. Three straight three-and-outs for Cleveland.
TJ Watt is starting to wreck the game against the rookie Dawand Jones.
Calvin Austin III called for the early fair catch. Browns hit him hard so a penalty adds some yards to the punt.
Kenny Pickett was in the lockerroom, but he is back on the field. 1st and 10, Pat Freiermuth got his first catch of the night for a gain of two. Najee Harris up the middle for no gain. 3rd and 8, Pickett connected with Calvin Austin III in a contested catch to convert.
Myles Garrett wrecked the 1st down play nearly sacking Pickett, but Pickett threw the ball away. Nearly a fumble. On 2nd and 10, incomplete intended for George Pickens. Pickett was off target again. He is overcompensating for earlier mistakes. He needs to have a shorter memory.
Pickett bailed out of the pocket and rolled out. He tried to hit Pickens on the go, but it fell incomplete.
Pressley Harvin’s punt netted just 16 yards after the touchback and penalty tacked on. The Browns take over from the 25. Holding brings back Watson’s scramble. 2nd and 20 coming. Jedrick Wills called for the hold on Watt. 1st and 20, David Njoku caught the ball and bounced off tackles for 29 yards. An explosive play for the Browns.
TWO MINUTE WARNING.
1st and 10, a deep incompletion intended for Amari Cooper. Ball was tipped or it would have been a wide open completion. Chandon Sullivan’s slot blitz finally gets home for an impact. 2nd and 10, Jerome Ford caught the checkdown for 8 yards. 3rd and 2, Watson rolled out and the pass went incomplete, but Chandon Sullivan flagged for facemasking.
1st and 10 from the 33 within possible field goal range now. Ford ran for 3 yards. On 2nd and 7, TJ Watt batted down the pass. The next play, Watt iced the drive with a sack. His fourth of the year. The field goal is good. 16-14 Steelers.
The Steelers kneel the ball to kill the half.
END OF HALF: 16-14 STEELERS
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