New York (AFP) – The Cleveland Browns needed a late field goal to fend off a spirited Aaron Rodgers-led fightback and beat their AFC North rivals Pittsburgh 27-24 on Thursday. Having dominated the first half, with divisive quarterback Deshaun Watson continuing to impress home fans, Cleveland conceded two fourth-quarter touchdowns as the Steelers tied up the game. But after Watson moved the ball with 56 yards, a field goal from Andre Szmyt edged the Browns back ahead with 10 seconds remaining. Rodgers’ deep throw to get into field goal range was picked off to hand Cleveland victory. A fifth straight home win against their local rivals meant the largely unheralded Browns moved to 3-1, while the Steelers sank to 2-2.
It was another impressive night for Watson, who led the Browns to a third consecutive late win. Having been booed by his own fans in the offseason, and embarking on the final year of a $230 million contract ravaged by injuries and off-field controversy, he completed 268 passing yards and a touchdown to Harold Fannin Jr. “Those guys just look at me, and they just want me to lead the show,” said Watson. “This is what it’s all about. Nights like this in Cleveland, in front of our home fans, getting them Ws, getting them wins.”
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Running backs Quinshon Judkins and Jaleel McLaughlin rushed for touchdowns — McLaughlin with his second carry of the season. Rodgers, after a rough start to a game in which he was sacked five times, led the fightback with 299 passing yards and three touchdowns. The Steelers had struck first. Frustrated by slow play-calling, Rodgers shouted expletives at head coach Mike McCarthy, who responded with similar language in a moment that quickly went viral. But McCarthy’s offense came up with a gem. As the offensive line shifted right, Roman Wilson sprinted the opposite direction to collect a jet sweep for a 12-yard touchdown.
But the Browns suddenly woke up. Their electric defense repeatedly swarmed Rodgers, while the offense piled up three touchdowns in the second quarter. McLaughlin weaved 28 yards through the Pittsburgh defense, bouncing two tackles, for his touchdown. Judkins added a second before Watson’s short pass found Fannin for a 21-10 half-time lead. The Steelers stirred in the fourth quarter. Setting the tempo, TJ Watt stripped Watson and recovered the fumble. Sacked for a fifth time, Rodgers recovered to scramble and sling it superbly to Darnell Washington for a 21-yard touchdown. Cleveland re-widened the cushion to eight points with a field goal.
After Pat Freiermuth added another touchdown, the 42-year-old Rodgers sneaked the ball into the end zone himself on the two-point conversion to level the scores, before Watson set up Szmyt to quash the comeback. “I just asked (Szmyt), ‘where do you need to kick,'” said Watson. “He told me ‘get me to the 40-yard line, and I’ll make it.’ So I just looked at him and said, ‘Yes, sir.'”
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