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Players of the Game

Jack Conklin holds off T.J. Watt in Browns' win over Steelers | Players of the Game

Watt entered the game with 7.5 sacks on the season

Players of the Game Steelers Week 12

The Browns earned a hard-fought win, 24-19, in the snow over the Steelers on Thursday Night Football, bringing their record to 3-8 on the season.

"This team, we talk about being resilient and sometimes you have to show it, and I thought they showed it tonight," head coach Kevin Stefanski said after the game. "Complementary football when we needed it the most and I'm just proud of those guys."

Here are three players of the game from the Browns' primetime win over the Steelers.

RT Jack Conklin

In the week leading up to the game, Steelers LB T.J. Watt was a frequent topic of conversation during the media's time with players and coaches – and for good reason. The 2021 Defensive Player of the Year had 7.5 sacks on the season entering Thursday Night Football and led the NFL with 19 sacks last season.

In the Browns' win over the Steelers, Watt was held without a sack, finishing with four total tackles and one tackle for loss.

Facing Watt for a majority of snaps was RT Jack Conklin, whose performance kept QB Jameis Winston upright and with ample time to throw the ball.

"Jack's a guy that has played well for us," Stefanski said after the game. "We trust him. Watt's a great player. He's a really a great player. He has our respect. He certainly gets our attention in these games, but Jack did a great job."

Conklin said he felt the snow – which was unrelenting in the second half – gave the offensive line a slight advantage in pass protection, as it slowed down Watt and the other Steelers pass rushers.

In addition, the Browns employed chip blocks and slides on the offensive line to help Conklin keep Watt at bay.

On the Browns' pivotal third down conversion on their final drive of the game, RB Jerome Ford chip blocked Watt, who was met by Conklin. With a clean pocket, Winston was able to find WR Jerry Jeudy for a 15-yard gain that led to their eventual game-winning touchdown.

"It was a team effort. I had a lot of help too and the snow definitely helps too. But it was a team effort. Quarterback's playing fast. Had some help with some shifts and stuff. Just kept working," Conklin said.

Play-by-play action shots from the Cleveland Browns' Week 12 NFL game vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers

WR Jerry Jeudy

Jeudy has been Winston's go-to receiver in the quarterback's four starts, averaging just under 95 yards per game since Winston took over the starting role. Against the Steelers, Jeudy's ability to win contested catches and get open came at key moments as the Browns picked up their third win of the season.

His first reception of the game, on a slant route that he took for 16 yards, sparked the Browns' first touchdown drive of the game.

On their final touchdown drive, Jeudy ran a perfect out route to the sideline and the Browns converted on fourth-and-3 to keep their hopes of winning alive. Later, on third-and-7, Jeudy blew by two defenders to create enough space for Winston to fire a pass for a 15-yard gain and a first down.

"The attributes of a number one receiver is to get open, be able to make plays after the catch," Winston said after the game. "Look at Jerry Jeudy. If you look at Jerry Jeudy and you see the things that he does. He gets open. He runs after the catch, and he fights for the football."

As Jeudy's role in the Browns offense has expanded, he's enjoyed taking advantage of the opportunity presented by his first season in Cleveland after spending four seasons with the Broncos.

Jeudy's best season came in 2022, when he had 972 receiving yards and six touchdowns. This season, he's on pace to have the first 1,000-yard season of his five-year career with 645 receiving yards through the first 11 games of the season.

Jeudy finished with six receptions for 85 yards in the Browns' win on Thursday Night Football.

"This is definitely what I expected," Jeudy said. "Coming to a new team, fresh start and having more opportunities. It's time to take advantage of them."

Cleveland Browns celebrate postgame after a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 21, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field

RB Nick Chubb

The last time RB Nick Chubb faced the Steelers, he suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 2 of the 2023 season.

After over a year of surgeries and rehab, Chubb scored two touchdowns and rushed for 59 yards in his first game against the Steelers. His second touchdown run came in the final minute of action and sealed the Browns' victory.

"I don't believe in coincidences. And before this game, I told Nick, I said, 'I got you today.' I know how important this was for him," Winston said. "And we ain't going to talk about last year. Y'all all know the gig, but I'm so grateful and happy that I was able to see a smile on his face after that sweet victory against this team."

Chubb saw his usage increase in the win over the Steelers, playing a season-high 66 percent of snaps and carrying the ball a season-high 20 times.

The snowfall didn't prevent the Browns from passing the ball in the second half, but Chubb's reliability – particularly around the goal line – allowed them to fight through the challenges presented by the inclement weather.

For Stefanski, Chubb's performance was no surprise from a player he's seen work hard day in and day out since the head coach's arrival in Cleveland.

"I've run out of superlatives for Nick, honestly, and he's my favorite player on the team. You can tell everybody else I said that," Stefanski said. "Nick does the right thing all the time and to see what he's gone through to come back and put himself where he is, just to be back playing in the first place and then to be back out there and performing like he's performing, scoring for this football team when we need him the most. He's a special, special player, but he's a great person."

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