Cleveland Browns kicker Andre Szmyt nailed a 56-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining on October 1, 2026, securing a 27-24 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field. The primetime win moved the Browns into sole possession of first place in the AFC North with a 3-1 record.
Browns Outlast Late Steelers Rally
The Cleveland Browns built an 11-point halftime lead on October 1, 2026, before holding off a furious fourth-quarter comeback by the Pittsburgh Steelers to claim a 27-24 victory on Thursday Night Football at Huntington Bank Field. Entering the contest, all four teams in the AFC North sat tied with identical 2-1 records after the Steelers earned a 30-27 win against the Cincinnati Bengals and the Browns defeated the Carolina Panthers 21-18. Kickoff for the Week 4 matchup was set for 8:15 p.m., with the game broadcast nationally on Amazon Prime Video and available in the Pittsburgh market on WTAE-TV, featuring a broadcast crew of Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreit, and Kaylee Hartung.
Cleveland quarterback Deshaun Watson orchestrated his third straight game-winning drive of the young season, finishing 24-of-33 for 268 yards with one touchdown and one interception while adding 22 rushing yards on seven carries. After the Browns stumbled through the first half of their opening three games—including a 34-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars where Watson’s job security was openly questioned—the offense exploded in the second quarter with three consecutive touchdown drives to take a 21-10 lead into the locker room. The opening half marked the team’s highest-scoring half since Week 8 of the 2024 season.
It also extends Cleveland’s winning streak to three games and marks their fourth consecutive home victory over Pittsburgh.
Steelers Erase an Eleven-Point Deficit
Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers nearly rescued a sluggish start for the visitors, throwing for 154 yards and two touchdowns in the final quarter alone. Rodgers completed 22-of-40 passes for 299 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions, leading a fourth-quarter charge that wiped out Cleveland’s advantage.
Facing a fourth-and-10 at the Cleveland 11-yard line with 1:51 remaining, Rodgers targeted tight end Darnell Washington before hitting Pat Freiermuth for a 3-yard touchdown with 1:42 left on the clock. Rodgers then tied the game at 24-24 by plunging in a quarterback sneak on the two-point conversion after an offsides penalty.
I went out there and I did the job. I made it a littler harder for the team, but we got the job done.
Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns quarterback
Late Kick Seals Division Lead
Following the Steelers’ tying score, Watson moved the Browns 36 yards in seven plays. Szmyt then delivered the decisive 56-yard field goal with 10 seconds left.
Pittsburgh had one final opportunity with the ball at their own 35-yard line. Rodgers launched a deep pass intended for Roman Wilson—who caught three passes for 74 yards and scored his team’s opening touchdown on a 12-yard shovel pass following a grueling 17-play, nine-minute-and-48-second drive—but Browns safety Grant Delpit intercepted the heave at the Cleveland 18-yard line to end the contest.
Browns Take AFC North Lead as Steelers Drop to 2-2
The Thursday night clash leaves both teams with early divisional tests behind them as the rest of the AFC North plays out its weekend slate. The Steelers dropped to 2-2 on the season, while the Browns savored their first sole possession of the division lead since November 9, 2014, sitting a half-game ahead of the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals.
Both squads dealt with roster changes and physical losses during the short week. The Steelers played without running back Rico Dowdle due to injury, leaving Jaylen Warren to shoulder the load with 93 rushing yards on 17 carries, and recently traded cornerback Joey Porter Jr. to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for two draft picks. Cleveland lost defensive tackle Mason Graham—their 2025 No. 5 overall pick who already had four sacks on the season—to a knee injury with 7:27 left in the first quarter when his knee bent badly on a 6-yard run by Warren. DK Metcalf also contributed heavily for Pittsburgh in the losing effort with five receptions for 115 yards, while Cleveland overcame 14 total penalties for 88 yards and five sacks allowed by their offensive front.
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