Watson's Third Straight Winning Drive Puts Browns Atop AFC North

Deshaun Watson led a fourth-quarter go-ahead drive for the third straight week, and Andre Szmyt drilled a career-long 56-yard field goal with 10 seconds left as the Cleveland Browns beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-24 on Thursday night at Huntington Bank Field, ESPN and the Cleveland Browns reported.

The win improved Cleveland to 3-1 for the first time since 2021 and moved the Browns into sole possession of the AFC North for the first time since Nov. 9, 2014, ESPN writes. Pittsburgh fell to 2-2. Watson completed 24 of 33 passes for 268 yards with one touchdown and one interception, including 181 yards before halftime — his most in a first half since arriving in Cleveland in 2022, according to both outlets and an Associated Press report via CBS Sports.

After Pittsburgh tied the game at 24-24 on Aaron Rodgers’ 3-yard touchdown pass to Pat Freiermuth and a Rodgers sneak for two points with 1:44 remaining, Watson went 4-for-5 for 46 yards on the winning march, including two completions to Jerry Jeudy for 27 yards. A sack for a four-yard loss put the ball on the Steelers’ 38, but Szmyt still converted from 56 yards and extended his made-field-goal streak to 22, the Browns and CBS Sports note. Safety Grant Delpit then intercepted Rodgers’ final Hail Mary at the Cleveland 18 with one second left.

ESPN Research says Watson joined Brian Sipe as the second Browns quarterback since the 1970 merger to lead a winning drive in the fourth quarter or overtime in three consecutive games. Cleveland has now won eight straight Thursday night games — the longest active streak in the NFL and the fourth-longest such streak in league history — with four of those Thursday wins coming against Pittsburgh. The Browns have also won five consecutive home meetings with the Steelers.

The second quarter flipped the night. After Rodgers opened with a 12-yard shovel touchdown to Roman Wilson, Denzel Ward intercepted a pass intended for Michael Pittman Jr. early in the second. Cleveland answered with three touchdowns: Jaleel McLaughlin’s 28-yard run, Quinshon Judkins’ 2-yard plunge three plays after Watson’s 60-yard strike to Denzel Boston, and Harold Fannin Jr.’s 2-yard touchdown catch on third-and-goal. Pittsburgh got a Chris Boswell field goal just before halftime to trail 21-10.

Rodgers cut the deficit to 21-16 on a 21-yard touchdown to Roman Wilson early in the fourth before the late tying drive. Cleveland’s defense finished with a season-high five sacks, 10 quarterback hits, and two interceptions. Rodgers ended 22 of 40 for 299 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions; DK Metcalf had five catches for 115 yards, and Jaylen Warren rushed for 93 yards on 17 carries, CBS Sports reports. Cleveland’s offense posted a season-high 372 net yards, per the Browns’ by-the-numbers recap.

Coach Todd Monken called the three straight fourth-quarter finishes “really cool” for Watson and the team, while Rodgers said Pittsburgh “weren’t winning a bunch” on long-yardage plays against a five-man pressure plan. Steelers coach Mike McCarthy called Cleveland’s approach aggressive and said his team was “one play short.” Cleveland visits the New York Jets on Oct. 11; Pittsburgh hosts Indianapolis the same day.

For readers following NFL Division races on Sports, verified as of Oct. 1–2 reports: Browns 27, Steelers 24; Watson’s third straight winning drive; Szmyt’s 56-yard kick; Cleveland alone atop the AFC North at 3-1.