Steelers’ Defensive Dominance Secures Victory Against Browns, While Cleveland Loses RB Nick Chubb

In a game marked by pivotal defensive plays, the Pittsburgh Steelers triumphed over the Cleveland Browns with a final score of 26-22 on Monday night at Acrisure Stadium. This victory maintained the Browns’ winless streak in Pittsburgh during the regular season, stretching back to 2003.

However, the most significant setback for the Browns (1-1) wasn’t the final score but the loss of their star running back, Nick Chubb. In the second quarter, Chubb endured a substantial left knee injury after a collision with Minkah Fitzpatrick, and he had to be carted off the field. With this win, the Steelers improved their record to 1-1.

The Steelers’ defense played a pivotal role in the victory, scoring touchdowns in both the first and fourth quarters. Outside linebacker Alex Highsmith set the tone with a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown just nine seconds into the game, thanks to a deflection by Minkah Fitzpatrick. In the crucial fourth quarter, Highsmith forced a fumble by Deshaun Watson, which outside linebacker T.J. Watt recovered and returned for a game-winning 17-yard touchdown. These defensive touchdowns marked a significant milestone, as it was the first time since 2010 that the Steelers had two defensive touchdowns in a single game, and the first time they recorded both a fumble return touchdown and an interception return touchdown in a game since 2009. The Steelers’ defense was relentless, accumulating six sacks, nine tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, and 11 quarterback hits.

Regarding quarterback play, Kenny Pickett, in his second start of the season, displayed moments of inconsistency. While he completed 15 of 30 passes for 222 yards with one touchdown and one interception, his early struggles were attributed to playcalling, his decision-making, and mechanical issues. Despite some encouraging moments, Pickett and the offense struggled to maintain consistent drives, mirroring issues from the previous season.

A concerning trend emerged in the Steelers’ rushing game, as they managed only one rushing yard in the first half, marking their lowest opening-half rushing yardage in 45 seasons, according to Elias Sports Bureau. Najee Harris faced a challenging start with only 4 yards on six attempts, but he later broke through with back-to-back first-down runs of 21 and 17 yards in the third quarter. The Steelers ultimately finished with 55 rushing yards, with Harris gaining 43 yards on 10 carries, and Jaylen Warren contributing another 20 yards on six carries.

A standout statistic came from Steelers wide receiver George Pickens, who gained an astonishing 56.8 yards after the catch on his 71-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter, far exceeding the expected 21.4 yards after the catch. This touchdown, the longest Steelers touchdown play since 2020, showcased Pickens’ speed and ability to contribute beyond highlight-reel catches.

The next game for the Steelers will be against the Raiders at 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday.

On the other side, the Cleveland Browns not only suffered a loss to the Steelers but also a significant loss of one of their star players. All-Pro running back Nick Chubb had to be carted off the field in the second quarter following a collision with Fitzpatrick that impacted his left knee.

The Browns’ offense struggled for much of the game, and Deshaun Watson’s last-minute drive fell short. What once appeared to be a promising season now seems uncertain for the Browns.

In summary, this game can be described in two words: “Gut punch.” While the Browns have faced adversity in Pittsburgh over the years, Chubb’s injury stands out as one of the most challenging moments in recent Browns history.

Another concerning trend emerged as Watson continued to struggle, committing two costly face mask penalties, turning the ball over twice, and failing to make crucial plays in the fourth quarter. With Chubb’s injury, the Browns’ season now largely relies on Watson’s ability to lead the offense, which currently shows no signs of improvement.

However, a bright spot in the game was Jerome Ford, who showcased a breakout performance by gaining more yards (69) on a second-half run that set up a go-ahead touchdown than he had accumulated in his entire career (54 yards) before this game. While Chubb is irreplaceable, Ford’s performance suggests that the Browns can still rely on their running game moving forward, as he finished the game with an impressive 106 yards on 16 carries.

The Browns’ next game will be against the Titans at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.