In a game that will go down in Cleveland lore, the Browns overcame Mother Nature and a 12-point fourth quarter deficit to shock the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-19 on Thursday Night Football. Amid heavy lake effect snow squalls, running back Nick Chubb bulldozed in the go-ahead touchdown with under a minute left to cap an improbable comeback and send the frigid Dawg Pound into a frenzy.
Garrett’s Dominance Sets the Tone
The tone was set early by Browns superstar pass rusher Myles Garrett. The former #1 overall pick terrorized Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson, racking up three first half sacks as the relentless Cleveland defense built an 18-6 lead. Garrett was a one-man wrecking crew, leaving Pittsburgh’s offensive line grasping at snowflakes.
“Myles was a man possessed out there,” a Browns teammate said. “You could see the fire in his eyes. He wasn’t going to let us lose this game.”
Overcoming Offensive Miscues
But it wasn’t all smooth sledding for the Browns. Quarterback Jameis Winston and the offense struggled mightily with the treacherous footing and slick football. Winston lost a costly fourth quarter fumble on a strip sack by Steelers rookie linebacker Nick Herbig. A few plays later, Wilson found speedy wideout Calvin Austin III for a touchdown to shockingly put Pittsburgh up 19-18.
The comeback Steelers weren’t done. They forced another huge turnover as cornerback Donte Jackson picked off an errant Winston throw. It looked bleak for the Browns as the clock ticked under two minutes and the snow intensified.
Saved by a Shanked Punt
However, Cleveland’s defense stood tall and forced a quick three-and-out. Then the special teams unit got the biggest break of the night. The Steelers punter couldn’t handle the slippery snap and shanked a 16-yard duck out of bounds, giving the Browns premium field position at the Pittsburgh 45 with just over a minute remaining.
That’s when Chubb and Winston took over. Chubb, who was playing his first game against the Steelers since suffering a severe knee injury in the rivalry matchup last season, turned in a gritty effort with tough run after tough run. Winston converted a clutch fourth down pass to receiver Jerry Jeudy. Three plays later, Chubb plunged in from the 2-yard line for the game-winning score. The Steelers’ final chance ended with Wilson’s Hail Mary falling harmlessly to the snowy turf.
Chubb’s Revenge Game to Remember
“I had this one circled on my calendar as soon as the schedule came out,” an emotional Chubb said after the game. “To be able to score the winning touchdown against the team that almost ended my career…that means everything to me.”
The dramatic win snapped the Steelers’ five-game winning streak and marked a signature moment in the heated AFC North rivalry. For the Browns, it was about more than just evening the season series at a game apiece. It was a convincing triumph over adversity – and the elements – that could springboard a strong finishing kick to the 2024 campaign.
Now at 3-8, Cleveland still faces an uphill climb to playoff contention. But after vanquishing their nemesis in unforgettable fashion, the Browns served notice that they won’t go quietly into the long winter’s night. Armed with a suddenly surging defense and a rejuvenated Chubb, they may just have a few more surprise gifts in store for the rest of the AFC down the holiday homestretch.
