At Huntington Bank Field, which looked more like a snow globe than a football stadium, the Browns picked up their third win of the season in a thrilling 24-19 victory over the Steelers.
The Browns held an 18-6 lead in the fourth quarter, but a pair of turnovers led the Steelers to hold a one-point lead with just under three-and-a-half minutes remaining.
After the Steelers scored a touchdown to cut the Browns' lead to five points, QB Jameis Winston was sacked on the following drive and fumbled the football. On the next drive, after the Steelers took the lead, Winston threw an interception.
However, the Browns stormed back, as Winston led a 45-yard game-winning drive capped off by RB Nick Chubb's second rushing touchdown of the day. The Browns converted on fourth down twice on their way to regaining the lead.
Key moments
Nick Chubb scores twice in first game against Steelers since returning from injury
Ahead of the Browns' Week 12 matchup against the Steelers, Chubb was asked if he felt any extra emotion facing the team against whom he suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 2 of the 2023 season.
Chubb, known for his level-headedness and consistency, gave an unsurprising response.
"I mean, it's a football game," Chubb said. "I've got to go out there and play, so no matter what, who we're playing or what we're up against, I'm always in the same mindset."
Chubb found the end zone twice against the Steelers, including on the final drive of the game. After Winston led the Browns to the Pittsburgh 2-yard line, Chubb finished the drive in the end zone.
Chubb also opened the scoring for the Browns, rushing for a 2-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
The seven-year veteran finished with 20 carries for 59 yards and two touchdowns.
Myles Garrett's dominance on display
Highlighted by a three-sack performance in the first half, DE Myles Garrett showed those at Huntington Bank Field why he won the Defensive Player of the Year award last season.
The Steelers were approaching the red zone on their first drive of the game, facing third-and-3 at the Browns 32-yard line.
Russell Wilson dropped back and the pocket collapsed around him, with Garrett bringing him down for his first sack of the game for a loss of eight yards. K Chris Boswell missed the ensuing field goal attempt and the Browns took over at their own 48-yard line.
After Chubb found the end zone for the first touchdown of the game, Garrett got the ball right back on the following drive.
Garrett beat his man to the backfield and threw an arm out, knocking the ball free from Wilson's hands for a strip sack. LB Winston Reid dove on the loose ball and the Browns connected on a field goal attempt thanks to the positive field position.
Garrett recorded his third sack of the first half on the following drive, sacking Wilson on the final play of the half, earning a raucous cheer as the Browns headed to the locker room with a 10-3 lead.
Jerry Jeudy comes up clutch on Browns' final drive
Tensions were high as the snow was unrelenting on the Browns final drive.
After two straight incompletions, the Browns faced fourth-and-3 at the Pittsburgh 38-yard line. Instead of attempting a field goal, Winston connected with WR Jerry Jeudy for a 5-yard gain that kept the drive, and the Browns' hopes of winning, alive.
Later in the drive, on third-and-6 from the Pittsburgh 29-yard line, Winston once again found Jeudy for a 15-yard gain that set up Chubb's game-winning touchdown.
Jeudy finished with six receptions for 85 yards with a long of 26 yards.
Key stats and facts
- RT Jack Conklin played his 100th career game. He's played 43 games as a member of the Browns.
- RB Nick Chubb's second quarter touchdown was his second this season and the 50th of his seven-season career.
- DE Myles Garrett's three-sack performance in the first half marked the second time this season he's done so in the first half of a game. His other three-sack performance came in the first half of the Browns' Week 9 loss to the Chargers.
Game highlights
Garrett's first quarter sack brought his 2024 total to eight sacks.
Make it nine on the season for Garrett. His forced fumble led to a Browns field goal on the following drive.
Garrett's three-sack performance in the first half brought him to 10 on the season. Garrett is the fourth player in NFL history with 10 or more sacks in at least seven of his first eight seasons as a pro.
Nick Chubb's touchdown run in the second quarter was his second score of the season.
Winston's rushing touchdown extended the Browns' lead in the fourth quarter.
Scoring plays
10:53 2Q | CLE 0 PIT 3 | Chris Boswell 48-yard field goal is GOOD.
4:00 2Q | CLE 7 PIT 3 | Nick Chubb run up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
0:40 2Q | CLE 10 PIT 3 | Dustin Hopkins 34-yard field goal is GOOD.
1:56 3Q | CLE 10 PIT 6 | Chris Boswell 28-yard field goal is GOOD.
12:16 4Q | CLE 18 PIT 6 | Jameis Winston run short right for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Jameis Winston pass short to David Njoku, two-point conversion is GOOD.
7:57 4Q | CLE 18 PIT 13 | Jaylen Warren run up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6:15 4Q | CLE 18 PIT 19 | Russell Wilson pass deep middle to Calvin Austin III for 23-yards, TOUCHDOWN. Two-point conversion is NO GOOD.
0:57 4Q | CLE 24 PIT 19 | Nick Chubb run short middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Two-point conversion attempt is NO GOOD.
What it means
The Browns improve to 3-8 on the season, earning their second division win of the year. The win is Winston's second since becoming the Browns' starting quarterback.
What's next?
The Browns will have 10 full days in between tonight's game and their next one, a Week 13 game against the Broncos on Monday Night Football. The game will kick off at 8:15 p.m. at Empower Field at Mile High.
