The Pittsburgh Steelers took sole possession of first place in the AFC North on November 1, 2026, defeating the Cleveland Browns 27-6 at Acrisure Stadium behind a season-high 200 rushing yards and eight sacks of quarterback Deshaun Watson.
How Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle Powered the Steelers’ Rushing Attack
Pittsburgh’s ground game set the tone early and dictated the pace for the entire afternoon. Running back Jaylen Warren celebrated his 28th birthday by matching a career high with 143 rushing yards on just 17 attempts, averaging 8.4 yards per carry according to Heavy. Backup running back Rico Dowdle chipped in 56 yards on the ground reported Dawgs By Nature, including a 9-yard touchdown sprint up the middle in the first quarter that gave the hosts a lead they never relinquished.
The combination of Warren and Dowdle piled up 199 rushing yards noted Heavy, anchoring a total team output of 200 yards reported Triblive. That production allowed veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers to operate largely underneath according to Yahoo Sports, finishing 13 of 25 passing for 172 yards with an interception reported A to Z Sports. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the passing game benefited greatly from Rico Dowdle and Jaylen Warren racking up 200 total rushing yards to keep things simple. Rookie head coach Mike McCarthy’s offense easily advanced the ball on the ground, and tight end Pat Freiermuth added a 1-yard touchdown plunge via a tush push just before halftime to give Pittsburgh a 20-6 advantage at the break. When the Steelers held a three-touchdown lead, it was because Aaron Rodgers connected with tight end Darnell Washington for a 58-yard catch-and-rumble in the early third quarter that paved the way for Warren’s 1-yard touchdown dive. DK Metcalf turned six targets into one catch for four yards, notably dropping a wide open deep pass from Rodgers that was subsequently intercepted by Denzel Ward of the Browns.
Why the Steelers Defense Sacked Deshaun Watson Eight Times
While the offense chewed up yards on the ground, Pittsburgh’s defense made life miserable for Cleveland quarterback Deshaun Watson. T.J. Watt recorded two sacks reported Triblive to bring his season total to seven through seven games noted A to Z Sports. Nick Herbig and Alex Highsmith also joined in on the pass rush as the unit brought Watson down eight times stated Heavy.
The defensive dominance limited Cleveland to just 34 rushing yards, a week after holding New Orleans to 18 yards on the ground noted USA Today. Rookie defensive backs Robert Spears-Jennings and Daylen Everette forced and recovered an early fumble by Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr., setting an aggressive tone according to USA Today. The Steelers are accomplishing this stellar defensive run without 2025 first-round pick Derrick Harmon, one of the team’s best run defenders who is currently on injured reserve. The Browns became the latest opponent to struggle profoundly to run the ball against this Steelers front, totaling just 34 rushing yards one week after New Orleans finished with only 18 yards rushing. Cleveland’s offense was further hampered by penalties and sloppy play under head coach Todd Monken, while safety Ronnie Hickman took poor angles in run support that allowed big gains, including a 51-yard play on third-and-long and a 23-yard gain late in the second quarter that led to a late first-half touchdown.
How Mason McCormick Answered Jared Verse’s Bulletin Board Material
The matchup carried extra tension stemming from comments made earlier in the week by Cleveland defensive end Jared Verse, who had predicted that the Browns would make Pittsburgh ours
reported CBS Sports. Steelers offensive guard Mason McCormick made a physical statement during a first-quarter conversion kick when he lifted the 260-pound defender and body-slammed him to the turf according to Triblive.
Though McCormick drew an unnecessary roughness penalty on the play, the sequence underscored how thoroughly the Pittsburgh offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage noted CBS Sports. Guard Mason McCormick later got another hit in on Verse to prevent a personal foul from hurting the team reported USA Today, while Cam Heyward closed out the victory with the defense’s eighth sack of the afternoon reported A to Z Sports. The offensive line has grown into a formidable unit following an early-season decision by the coaching staff to pivot to guard Brock Hoffman and rookie tackle Max Iheanachor on the right side. During the game, cornerback Tyson Campbell was evaluated for a possible concussion.
What This Result Means for the AFC North Standings and History
With the victory, Pittsburgh improved to 6-2 and moved into sole possession of first place in the division reported Heavy. The Browns dropped to 5-3 and slipped into third place noted Heavy, failing to secure a season sweep that Cleveland has not accomplished against Pittsburgh since 1988 according to Heavy.
The outcome also extended a remarkable home dominance, marking the Steelers’ 23rd consecutive regular-season home victory against Cleveland reported Heavy. That streak ties the NFL record for the most consecutive regular-season road losses against a single opponent, matching the Detroit Lions’ 23-game skid in Green Bay from 1992 through 2014 noted Adam Schefter via Heavy.
Cleveland travels to play the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome on Sunday, November 8, at 1:00 p.m. EST reported Sports Illustrated. Pittsburgh enters its bye week before visiting the Cincinnati Bengals on November 15 reported Heavy.
Keep reading
