Szmyt’s late field goal lifts Browns past Steelers 27-24

The Cleveland Browns defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-24 at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland on Oct. 2, sealing the NFL’s Thursday night matchup on Andre Szmyt’s successful 56-yard kick with only 10 seconds remaining.¹²³⁴

Cleveland responds after early setback

Pittsburgh opened the scoring through Roman Wilson’s 12-yard touchdown run and led 7-0 after the first quarter. Cleveland answered by reaching the end zone on each of its next three second-quarter possessions: Jaleel McLaughlin ran 28 yards for a score, Quinshon Judkins crossed the goal line from two yards out and Harold Fannin Jr. caught a two-yard scoring pass from Deshaun Watson.¹²⁴

Chris Boswell’s field goal with eight seconds left in the half reduced Pittsburgh’s deficit, but Cleveland still took a 21-10 advantage into the interval. The Browns had not put up 21 or more points in the second quarter of a game since facing Tennessee in Week 13 of the 2020 season.¹²³⁴

Watson had accumulated 181 passing yards by halftime and finished with 268 yards, one touchdown and one interception. ESPN also reported that he ran seven times for 22 yards and lost a fumble. Cleveland was assessed 17 penalties, according to the same outlet.¹³⁴

Steelers recover before decisive kick

Pittsburgh mounted its recovery after halftime. Jaylen Warren scored a touchdown, while a two-point attempt after a fourth-quarter touchdown failed. Szmyt then converted a 44-yard field goal for Cleveland before Rodgers found Pat Freiermuth for a three-yard touchdown and completed the conversion that levelled the game at 24-24.¹²³⁴

With the score tied, Watson directed the Browns into kicking range. The BBC reported that Cleveland advanced 36 yards in seven plays before Szmyt’s attempt. His 56-yard kick, described by the BBC as a career best, put Cleveland ahead with 10 seconds on the clock.¹²³

Pittsburgh had one final possession, but Grant Delpit intercepted Rodgers with one second remaining. Rodgers completed the game with 299 passing yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Cleveland’s defence sacked him five times; ESPN reported that he also absorbed 10 quarterback hits.¹²³⁴

Browns take divisional lead

The result left Cleveland at 3-1, its first such start since 2021, and moved the team to the top of the AFC North. The BBC reported that it was the Browns’ third consecutive win and left Pittsburgh at the bottom of the division with a 2-2 record.¹²³⁴

Cleveland has now won eight consecutive Thursday night games, four of them against Pittsburgh. The Steelers remain without a Thursday road victory against an AFC North opponent, with a 0-10 record in those games.¹³