Steelers 27, Browns 14 | Final result, statistics and game review

The Browns lost to the Steelers 27:14 in Pittsburgh and increased their season record to 3:10.

The Browns scored points on just one of their four red zone appearances and K Dustin Hopkins missed two field goals as Cleveland couldn’t keep up with the Steelers’ offense.

DE Isaiah McGuire gave the Browns hope late in the fourth quarter by forcing a fumble, but QB Jameis Winston threw an interception two plays later. After WR Kadarius Toney botched a punt after a Steelers three-and-out, the Steelers were able to win the game.

Missed opportunities cost the Browns points on the scoreboard

The Browns entered the second half trailing 13-7 after key errors led to points for the Steelers and missed scoring opportunities for the Browns.

On the first drive of the second quarter, Winston threw a low ball to the line of scrimmage that DT Keeanu Benton caught out of the air for his first career interception. Five plays later, the Steelers found the end zone and took the lead on a 1-yard run by RB Najee Harris.

At the end of the half, Winston led a drive to the Pittsburgh 20-yard line, setting up Hopkins for a 38-yard field goal attempt. Hopkins’ attempt went wide left and the Browns were unable to cut the Steelers’ lead at halftime.

Costly mistakes continued to occur in the second half as the Steelers created separation on the scoreboard.

On the Browns’ first drive of the second half, RB Jerome Ford provided a spark on the opening kickoff, taking the ball 56 yards to Pittsburgh’s 35. After the Browns failed to gain a first down, Hopkins had another chance for a field goal, but missed the 43-yarder wide right.

On the ensuing drive, the Steelers scored their second touchdown of the game on a 10-yard pass from Wilson to WR Van Jefferson, giving Pittsburgh a two-point lead in the second half.

On the next drive, the Browns reached Steelers territory again, but failed to convert on fourth-and-1 to keep the drive alive. With one yard left, Winston handed the ball off in the backfield to Ford, who made a tackle for a 5-yard loss. The Steelers scored their third touchdown of the game on the following drive.

With the Browns desperately needing points, they had the ball at the Pittsburgh 21-yard line and needed just 1 yard to convert on third down. However, RT Jack Conklin made a false start and Winston was sacked on the following play. After the sack, LT Germain Ifedi committed a personal foul, forcing the Browns to punt instead of trying on 4th-and-24

After McGuire forced RB Cordarrelle Patterson to fumble late in the fourth quarter, the Browns trailed by 13 points and had a chance to cut the Steelers’ lead to one point. Two plays later, however, Winston threw his second interception of the game.

The defense responded to Winston’s interception with a crucial three-pointer, giving the offense a chance for a comeback. However, on the ensuing punt, Toney thwarted the catch and the Steelers recovered, sealing the win for Pittsburgh.

Winston throws two touchdowns in the loss

Winston, who finished with a season-low 211 passing yards since taking over as the Browns’ starting quarterback, threw two touchdown passes — the only points the Browns would score on Sunday.

On their second drive of the game, the Browns offense drove 70 yards downfield for their first score of the game. On third-and-9 from the Pittsburgh 35-yard line, Winston escaped the pocket and threw a pass to WR Jerry Jeudy, who beat two Steelers defensive backs as he headed into the end zone for a first-quarter touchdown.

The Browns wouldn’t score again until the fourth quarter. Winston completed 9 of 11 pass attempts and ended the drive with a 15-yard touchdown pass to TE David Njoku.

The touchdown was the only time the Browns scored in the red zone on Sunday, going 1-for-4 inside the Steelers’ 20-yard line.