By Mike DeFabo, Zac Jackson and Mark Kaboly
The Cleveland Browns stayed in the AFC North title race thanks to Dustin Hopkins’ 34-yard game-winning field goal in Sunday’s 13-10 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Here’s what you need to know:
- Browns rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who replaced an injured Deshaun Watson at quarterback this week, led an eight-play, 48-yard drive to set up Hopkins’ field goal with two seconds remaining on the clock.
- Thompson-Robinson threw for 165 yards, no touchdowns and an interception in only his second career start.
- Pittsburgh’s offense had a slow day and didn’t score until the third quarter when running back Jaylen Warren had a 74-yard touchdown run just 50 seconds into the second half. Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett only threw for 106 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions in the loss.
- The Browns improved to 7-3 with the win and sit second in the division standings behind the Baltimore Ravens (8-3). The Steelers fell to 6-4.
How the Browns pulled off the win
It felt like the Browns were buried late in the game. Their offense was going nowhere and their rookie quarterback was overwhelmed. The Steelers were making plays and seemed to have the momentum. But the Browns’ defense was playing out of its collective mind, and it got the stop it needed.
Suddenly, Thompson-Robinson hit a couple of passes like the previous two-plus quarters never existed, and the Browns quickly moved into field goal range. From there it felt like a foregone conclusion. Hopkins makes those, and Thompson-Robinson went from going backward to putting the Browns at 7-3. — Zac Jackson, Browns staff writer
Cleveland’s defense keeps playoff push alive
The Steelers were 3-of-14 on third downs. The Browns’ defense gave up one big play all day and otherwise swarmed. Both Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward are having the best individual seasons of their impressive careers, and the rest of the Browns’ defenders are following their lead.
On the Steelers’ last six plays of the game ahead of the final, desperate possession, they lost five yards. It was pretty thorough, and it’s what this Browns’ defense will continue to try to do to keep the playoff push alive. — Jackson
Steelers run out of magic
The Steelers have followed the same formula in every game. The offense sputters and stalls for three quarters, but the defense does enough to keep them in games and allow Fourth-Quarter Kenny Pickett to work his magic. On Sunday, the Steelers ran out of fairy dust.
Twice in the final five minutes, the Steelers got the ball back with a chance to drive for the winning field goal. That included a first down near midfield. But in both instances, they went 3-and-out to allow the Browns to claim the win on a late field goal. — Mike DeFabo, Steelers staff writer
Where was Pittsburgh’s offense?
Even the most ardent Steelers fans probably had to Google some jersey numbers on defense this game. The Steelers were forced to start Mykal Walker and Trenton Thompson while defensive coordinator Teryl Austin was mixing and matching players on seemingly a play-by-play account. Whatever concoction Austin and the Steelers went to worked up until crunch time.
It didn’t hurt that the Browns were limited by Thompson-Robinson and his lack of experience, but the Steelers didn’t allow much in the way of offense for the Browns other than a field position-aided touchdown in the first quarter and the decisive final drive.
The Steelers played well but continued to give up easy completions late in the game on basic routes. It allowed Thompson-Robinson to set up the game-winning field goal. — Mark Kaboly, Steelers senior writer
Jaylen Warren gives Steelers a jolt
One week after Warren eclipsed the 100-yard rushing plateau for the first time in his career, he was a catalyst again. On a day the Steelers’ offense struggled to move the ball against the Browns and their top-ranked defense, Warren provided a jolt with his 74-yard touchdown run. Warren once again surpassed 100 yards, finishing with 129 yards on nine carries.
In recent weeks, the Steelers have utilized a more balanced approach in the backfield, with Warren cutting into workhorse back Najee Harris’ carries. Every time Warren touches the ball, he continues to make his case for more. — DeFabo
NFL Week 11 scores: Live updates, schedule, highlights, reaction, odds and news
What they’re saying
Harris expressed frustration following the loss: “There’s just a lot of stuff that just goes around that just, that you guys don’t see. … I’m just tired of this s—.”
“I want to say what I really want to say, but it’s difficult. … We’re going to have a talk as a team. That’s the best way to say it,” Harris said.
When asked if it seems like the other team knows what’s coming, he took a long pause, then said, “Yeah, in some situations, to be honest with you.”
Highlights of the game
Required reading
(Photo: Scott Galvin / USA Today)
