Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) – Cleveland Browns (1-1): 26-22
No need to score on offense when you have some of the best defensive players in the league. Monday night, it was Pittsburgh’s defensive stars who made the difference. With just under seven minutes remaining, while the Browns had the advantage (19-22) and the ball in hand, Alex Highsmith emerged to snatch the ball from the hands of Deshaun Watson (22/40, 235 yards , 1 TD, 1 int). TJ Watt followed the action to recover the leather and score to restore the advantage to Pittsburgh (26-22).
The Steelers defense then stopped two other opposing offensives to secure the victory. Feats of arms far from being isolated, since it was already Alex Highsmith who had scored the first points of the match, by intercepting the very first pass of the match before returning it for a touchdown. 14 of Pittsburgh’s 26 points will therefore have been defensive.
As if the evening hadn’t been disappointing enough for them, the Browns lost Nick Chubb (10 carries, 64 yards) to what appears to be a serious knee injury.
Deshaun Watson still isn’t there, neither is Kenny Pickett
Highsmith’s interception from the start set the tone for a match not really dominated by attacks. Kenny Pickett (15/30, 222 yards, 1 TD, 1 int) was quickly intercepted in turn, then each team lost a fumble. We had to wait until the start of the second quarter to see an offensive touchdown, signed Jerome Ford (16 races, 105 yards – 3 rec, 25 yards, 1 TD), which put Cleveland back in front (7-11). Pittsburgh reacts with a field goal then a 71-yard touchdown by George Pickens (4 rec, 127 yards, 1 TD). Enough to lead 16-14 at the break.
Both teams return from the locker room with good intentions. A field goal for Pittsburgh (19-14), but a touchdown in response by the Browns (19-22). There are 10 minutes left in the third quarter, and the offenses won’t score again.
After a series of punts and a fumble from David Njoku (4 rec, 48 yards), it was another fumble, that of Watson transformed into a touchdown by Watt, which decided the match. With 4 lost balls, the Cleveland attack continues to sputter. And waiting for Deshaun Watson to really look like he did in Houston.
