Cleveland Browns play Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football

by: Paul Kiska, Jordan Unger, Associated Press

Posted: Sep 18, 2023 / 06:10 AM EDT

Updated: Sep 19, 2023 / 12:17 AM EDT

*Above video shows Deshaun Watson at practice Friday in Berea preparing for the MNF game against the Steelers*

CLEVELAND (WJW / AP) — The Cleveland Browns fell short against the Steelers in Monday Night Football, with Pittsburgh holding a 26-22 victory.

What a major let down for the #Browns.

Cleveland owned the #Steelers in almost every statistical category, lost Nick Chubb and lost 26-22.

Absolute gut punch.
— John Sabol (@John_Sabol) September 19, 2023

Not long after kicking things off at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, the Steelers wasted no time by intercepting the ball and Alex Highsmith made it into the end-zone, taking an early lead.

The Browns made their way onto the board with a field goal from Dustin Hopkins. The Steelers were leading the Browns 7-3.

However, in another attempt after an interception, Hopkins missed the field goal.

Dustin Hopkins misses a 43-yard FG try following the Grant Delpit INT. #Steelers lead 7-3.
— P.J. ZIEGLER (@PJFOX8) September 19, 2023

At the start of the second quarter, Nick Chubb was down after his knee buckled under Minkah Fitzpatrick. Chubb needed carted off the field and was out for injury for the rest of the game.

Nick Chubb is out for the game with a knee injury. #Browns
— P.J. ZIEGLER (@PJFOX8) September 19, 2023

Deshaun Watson then threw a 3-yard touchdown to Chubb’s replacement, Jerome Ford. Ford got the 2-point conversion following the offsides penalty on Pittsburgh. The Browns took the lead, 11-7.

After a field goal by Chris Boswell, the Steelers inched closer to Cleveland.

The Browns were leading 11-10, but Pittsburgh reclaimed the lead with another touchdown, this time by George Pickens.

Hopkins made the next field goal, narrowing Steelers’ lead to 16-14 at halftime.

But the Steelers widened their lead in the third quarter, with another field goal by Boswell. The score was 19-14.

Thanks to a 69-yard run by Ford, Pierre Strong Jr. finished off the Browns touchdown and Watson scored on the 2-point conversion, taking back the lead 22-19.

Pierre Strong Jr. punches it in for the #Browns TD after Jerome Ford's scamper to the 1-yard line. Cleveland leads 22-19 after Watson scores on the 2-point conversion.
— P.J. ZIEGLER (@PJFOX8) September 19, 2023

In the fourth quarter, Steelers recalimed the lead after T.J. Watt recovered the fumble and made a touchdown, winning it 26-22.

The Steelers are now 21-0 in their last 21 Monday night games at home.

Cleveland allowed an opponent to score two defensive touchdowns for the first time since Pittsburgh did it on Oct. 16, 1983.

Watson completed 22 of 40 for 235 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He was also flagged twice for unsportsmanlike conduct for grabbing the facemask of a Steeler while running. The penalties cut a pair of promising drives short.

The Browns were penalized eight times for 81 yards and turned it over four times, two of which ended with one member of the best edge-rusher tandems in the NFL celebrating in the end zone.

Pittsburgh’s offense did next to nothing for most of the second half, leading to chants from the crowd to fire coordinator Matt Canada.

Other Injuries:

Browns: DE Za’Darius Smith exited in the third quarter with an undisclosed injury. … CB Greg Newsome injured his right elbow in the third quarter.

Steelers: WR/KR Gunner Olszewski went into the concussion protocol in the first half and did not return. … Fitzpatrick left in the third quarter with a chest injury. … ILB Elandon Roberts exited in the third quarter with a neck injury.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.