Browns Take AFC North Lead as Late Field Goal, Delpit Interception Seal 27-24 Win Over Steelers

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns have not led the AFC North since November 2014, a decade-long drought defined by inconsistency and divisional struggles. That changed Thursday night at Huntington Bank Field, where Andre Szmyt’s 56-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining and Grant Delpit’s interception of Aaron Rodgers on the ensuing play secured a 27-24 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The win improved Cleveland to 3-1, its best start since the 2021 season, and placed the team atop the division standings heading into Week 5. For Pittsburgh, the loss dropped the Steelers to 2-2 and extended their winless streak in Cleveland to five years, reinforcing a pattern of divisional road futility that now spans 10 consecutive Thursday night away games.

Deshaun Watson orchestrated the decisive late-game drive after Pittsburgh had erased an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit. Completing key passes against a Steelers secondary missing its top two cornerbacks, Watson moved Cleveland into range for Szmyt’s clutch kick. It marked Watson’s third game-winning drive in four weeks this season, establishing early momentum despite uneven overall play.

Watson finished 24-of-33 passing for 268 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He added 22 rushing yards but lost a fumble during a second-half stretch where two turnovers allowed Pittsburgh to rally back into contention. His first-half performance was notably efficient, accounting for 181 passing yards—the most he has thrown in any half against the Steelers—and helping build a 21-10 halftime lead.

Cleveland’s offense scored three consecutive touchdowns in the second quarter, marking the first time the unit has produced 21 points in a single half since scoring 23 against Baltimore in Week 8 of the 2024 season. The ground game also showed improvement, with 112 rushing yards representing the team’s second straight 100-yard rushing effort after managing only 131 combined yards in Weeks 1 and 2.

Despite the offensive breakthroughs, discipline remains a concern. Cleveland was flagged 17 times, the second straight game with at least 14 penalties. Entering Week 4, the Browns already ranked second in the NFL with 34 total infractions, a trend that could undermine future success against more disciplined opponents.

Pittsburgh’s collapse followed a promising opening drive that ended abruptly when Rodgers threw an interception on his fourth snap. Cleveland capitalized immediately with a touchdown, shifting momentum decisively. Rodgers later connected with DK Metcalf on two 20-plus yard completions during the fourth-quarter comeback and converted a 2-point sneak to tie the game, but those moments were outliers in an otherwise disjointed performance.

Rodgers was sacked five times and hit 10 times total, raising durability concerns for the 42-year-old quarterback. His lack of mobility and tendency to extend plays exacerbated protection issues against a Browns pass rush that consistently disrupted timing. Frustration boiled over visibly on the sideline, where Rodgers exchanged heated words with head coach Mike McCarthy over delayed play calls—a rare public display of tension for a veteran leader.

One bright spot for Pittsburgh was wide receiver Roman Wilson, who scored the team’s first touchdown for the second consecutive week. The 2024 third-round pick has emerged as a reliable red-zone option despite limited volume, catching all three targets against Cincinnati and converting opportunities efficiently against Cleveland. Coaches have praised his offseason work ethic, and his back-to-back scores mark the first such streak of his professional career.

The Steelers’ inability to close out divisional road games on short rest continues to define their early-season identity. Since 2021, they have failed to win in Cleveland, and their broader record in AFC North Thursday night matchups remains winless. With Indianapolis visiting Acrisure Stadium on Oct. 11, Pittsburgh faces immediate pressure to stabilize its offense and protect Rodgers more effectively.

Cleveland travels to face the New York Jets on Oct. 11, aiming to extend its division lead and validate its strongest start in four years. The Browns’ ability to sustain offensive production beyond explosive halves—and reduce self-inflicted errors—will determine whether this early surge translates into lasting playoff positioning.