CLEVELAND (AP) — Snowflakes fell steadily as Nick Chubb charged forward on the field.
In a moment reminiscent of a previous critical injury in Pittsburgh last year, Chubb demonstrated his determination by driving into the end zone, scoring a memorable touchdown. It was a moment not just for him but for his entire team, marking a significant occasion.
With just 57 seconds remaining, Chubb rushed for a 2-yard touchdown, helping the Cleveland Browns secure a surprising 24-19 victory over the Steelers, ending their five-game winning streak.
This game marked Chubb’s first match against the leading team in the AFC North (8-3) since he suffered a devastating season-ending knee injury in the second week of last September, also during a matchup against the Steelers. The return to competitive play was a testament to his hard work and resolve.
Having faced a similar knee injury back while at Georgia in 2015, Chubb underwent rigorous rehabilitation to regain his strength and agility. Scoring against their fierce rivals was almost a poetic justice for him.
“It meant a lot to me. I know it means a lot to him,” said Myles Garrett, who contributed significantly to the defense with three sacks. “He won’t admit it, but it’s true. I’ll say it because this time last year we were all feeling sick. There was a lot of uncertainty, so for him to come back and play a crucial role tonight shows incredible resilience and speaks volumes about his character.”
In addition to his final touchdown, Chubb had earlier scored on another 2-yard run during the second quarter.
The Browns (3-8) faced a challenging fourth quarter after blowing a 12-point lead, trailing 19-18 before reclaiming the ball with 3:22 on the clock following a poor 16-yard punt by Pittsburgh’s Corliss Waitman.
Amid the snowfall that was covering the yard lines of the field, Cleveland’s Jameis Winston made a critical third-down pass to Jerry Jeudy, advancing to the Pittsburgh 9-yard line. Just two plays later, Chubb powered his way into the end zone.
While Chubb chose not to speak with the media after the game, his teammates expressed their excitement and pride in his achievement. “I’m his No. 1 fan when he’s out there,” remarked Browns running back Jerome Ford. “If I could, I would start a ‘Chubb’ chant every time he steps onto the field.”
Though the Steelers had one last opportunity, their hopes were dashed as Russell Wilson’s Hail Mary attempt on the final play was intercepted by Browns safety Grant Delpit, triggering a jubilant celebration at Huntington Bank Field.
Amidst a rough season, this victory over the Steelers alleviated some pressure on head coach Kevin Stefanski and provided a moment of joy for Cleveland fans. “Our guys thrive under the lights,” Stefanski noted. “They enjoy playing in front of our fans. The snowy conditions added an exciting dimension to it.”
As the game progressed, the snowfall intensified into blizzard-like conditions, making visibility difficult on the field. Amazon Prime Video even utilized graphics to highlight the nearly invisible yard lines. The Steelers rallied back quickly from an 18-6 deficit, scoring two touchdowns in just over a minute.
Wilson’s 23-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Austin III at 6:15 left gave Pittsburgh a brief lead. A strip-sack by Nick Herbig on Winston provided the Steelers with a prime scoring opportunity, putting them in a position to secure their sixth consecutive win and extend their lead in the AFC North.
Nevertheless, the Browns countered, ultimately securing their second divisional win of the season after previously overcoming the Ravens last month.
“We should’ve won that game,” Wilson acknowledged. “We felt we fought hard in a challenging atmosphere. The way we responded in the fourth quarter was impressive, and we had a shot at the end, too.”
Jaylen Warren’s 3-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter narrowed the gap to 18-13 for the Steelers. True to their reputation, Pittsburgh’s defense searched for the crucial play and came through when Herbig pressured Winston, resulting in a fumble recovered by safety DeShon Elliott.
Garrett outperformed Steelers star T.J. Watt — which was his intention all along.
Garrett was a powerhouse during the first half, sacking Wilson and relentlessly applying pressure on him. This performance followed a week where he had addressed the slight he felt when he was named Defensive Player of the Year over Watt last season, stating, “I wanted to show that I’m the top guy, No. 1 as an edge defender. I think I achieved that.”
Garrett’s performance set up Cleveland’s second score with a strip-sack of Wilson; as he battled with a blocker, Garrett knocked the ball loose, leading linebacker Winston Reid to recover it.
The Browns advanced to the 16-yard line but only managed to score a 34-yard field goal from Dustin Hopkins, who faced challenges just a week prior with two missed attempts against New Orleans.
Chubb’s touchdown in the second quarter capped an impressive 12-play, 80-yard drive, especially after the Browns had been limited to just 19 total yards with two three-and-outs in the first quarter.
During their initial drives, the Steelers advanced into Browns territory on three occasions but only managed to score three points from those possessions.
Chris Boswell, who successfully made six field goals in a previous win over Baltimore, missed a 58-yard attempt during the first quarter despite the field still being in playable condition — marking just his second miss in 31 attempts this season.
Injuries
Steelers: WR Van Jefferson (quadriceps) briefly left the game in the first half but returned. LB Elandon Roberts exited late in the fourth quarter due to an unspecified injury.
Browns: WR Cedric Tillman is currently in concussion protocol.
Up next
Steelers: They will travel to Cincinnati on December 1.
Browns: They are set to face Denver on December 3.
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