Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Instant takeaways from Browns 13-10 win over Pittsburgh Steelers … 1. Time to exhale: The Browns got lured into the Steelers’ patented ugly game, but they were prettier at the end. Rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson was on the mark when it mattered and took the Browns to a winning field goal at the end. Thompson-Robinson completed four passes in a row for 39 yards to move the Browns from their 35-yard line and set up a 34-yard field goal by Dustin Hopkins with :02 left for a nerve-wracking 13-10 win. By avenging an earlier loss to the Steelers, the Browns moved into second place in the AFC North with a 7-3 record, one-half game behind Baltimore. Thompson-Robinson became the third quarterback to register a victory for the Browns this season. The last time that happened was in the 2013 season.2. Knotted: The Steelers completed a comeback from being down 10-0 with a 13-play drive over 7:10 ending in a 28-yard field goal by Chris Boswell. Running back Jaylen Warren was a huge factor in the arduous possession with 14 yards on a screen pass and runs of 21 and 12 yards. It was 10-10 with 7:40 to play. Warren had 129 yards on 9 carries at that point.
3. Hanging on: Thompson-Robinson struggled in the third quarter, going 4 of 12 for 12 yards and one interception. The pick came on a ball deflected off intended receiver Amari Cooper and was caught by cornerback Chandon Sullivan at the Steelers’ 23 with 1:30 to go in the quarter. The Browns’ defense forced a punt in three downs. The turnover, however, wasted a 22-yard punt return by James Proche that gave the Browns the ball at the Steelers’ 48.4. Boom!: The inept Steelers’ offense has never been accused of being quick strike. But that’s what they did on the second play of the second half. From the Steelers’ 26, Warren took a quick pitch to the right from Kenny Pickett, got around the right edge and sprinted down the sideline for a 74-yard TD run. Denzel Ward was making up ground near the Browns’ 20, but Warren’s cutback inside secured the long TD to cut the Browns lead to 10-7.5. Keepaway ball: The Browns used a 17-play drive and ate up 5 ½ minutes to tack on a 25-yard field goal by Dustin Hopkins and take a 10-0 lead at intermission. The possession was a beautiful microcosm of Stefanski’s conservative game plan to keep Pittsburgh’s defense on the field and limit the risk of Thompson-Robinson turnovers. The series featured a Cedric Tillman reverse run for 8 yards, a DTR keeper run for 5 yards and a first down and short completions of 7 and 8 yards to Amari Cooper, 9 yards to David Njoku and 10 to Elijah Moore. DTR spiked the ball with 16 seconds left at the Pittsburgh 6, but two safe throws failed and Hopkins converted the gimme. The long possession widened the Browns’ advantage on offensive snaps in the first half to 37 to 22.
6. That’s a safety, no?: The Browns’ first defensive series began at the Steelers’ 1. On first down, Myles Garrett shot through a gap and sacked Pickett in the end zone. Should’ve been a safety. But the officials marked the ball just over the goal line. The Browns waited until the last second before throwing the challenge flag and no official saw it. Play stood.
Myles Garrett and just about everyone else thought his sack of Kenny Pickett in the first quarter was a safety. The lone dissenter was the referee. (Cleveland Browns)
7. Now, that’s a safety, no?: On second down, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and Sione Takitaki stoned Najee Harris right at the goal line. Looked like another safety. But, no, the ball was spotted at the 1. Nevertheless, the two stops resulted in a Pittsburgh punt that gave the Browns possession at the 50 and set up the only touchdown drive of the first half.
8. Ford’s driven: The Browns’ only touchdown drive in the half was driven by Ford and the offensive line. Ford had 6 carries on the 7-play drive for 26 yards and a 1-yard touchdown. A face-mask penalty on cornerback Patrick Peterson tacked on 6 yards to a 13-yard Ford run. On third-and-1, the Browns loaded up with extra linemen Michael Dunn and Nick Harris and Ford squeezed into the middle of the line. For the third time in the quarter, officials gave the Browns a poor spot and it looked like a fourth-and-goal from the 1 decision facing Stefanski. But after a long look, Stefanski pulled out the challenge bean bag and hurled it 15 yards at an official’s feet – making sure he noticed it this time. The challenge was successful as the referee ruled the ball in Ford’s right hand pierced the goal line.
9. Ouch: Linebacker Anthony Walker left the game in the first quarter with a hamstring injury and did not return the rest of the game.
10. Designated pass blocker: In a bit of a surprise, James Hudson got the call at right tackle even though Dawand Jones was made active. Jones was used at right tackle only in obvious passing downs.11. Pre-game notes: Inactives included injured safety Juan Thornhill (calf) and receiver Marquise Goodwin (concussion) along with healthy scratches defensive end Isaiah McGuire and defensive tackle Siaki Ika. Two surprises: Nick Chubb was introduced at the end of player introductions. He was shown on the video screen standing with crutches in the Browns’ tunnel and he received a huge ovation. It was Chubb’s first appearance at a Browns game since suffering a severe knee injury against the Steelers in Week 2. Then Voice of the Browns Jim Donovan was introduced as the celebrity guitar smasher. He, too, received a warm reception. It was Donovan’s first return to the radio booth since undergoing intense therapy to treat leukemia.
