The third week of the 106th NFL season began with a Thursday Night Football clash between two AFC North giants, Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The match was played at Brown’s home turf, the FirstEnergy Stadium.
Cleveland comfortably defeated Pittsburgh 29-17. Browns QB Jacoby Brissett led the team with two touchdowns and completed 21 out of his 31 passes for 220 yards.
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Cooper-Chubb provides a 1-2 punch to sink the Steelers
Cleveland Browns started the game with a first-quarter touchdown by wide-receiver Amari Cooper. A 37-yard run by Nick Chubb set up a 60-yard touchdown drive that ended in a 9-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jacoby Brissett to Cooper.
Running Back Chubb ended the game with 114 yards on 23 carries and one touchdown while Cooper had 101 receiving yards in 7 receptions and a touchdown.
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Steelers respond with a great Pickens Catch
Rookie WR George Pickens took one of the most spectacular catches in recent years as he caught a pass from QB Mitch Trubisky for a 36-yard play. This reminded many NFL watchers of a similar catch that Odell Beckham Jr took against the Dallas Cowboys in 2014 that many referred to as ‘the greatest catch in NFL ever’
The Steelers scored a 5-yard rushing TD from Najee Harris to tie the score at 7-7. QB Mitch Trubisky rushed for a yard to give the team a 14-13 lead going into the second half.
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Winds have an impact on the game
During the first half, both teams’ kickers were affected by strong winds. On Pittsburgh’s second drive, Boswell missed a 53-yard field goal attempt. Cade York, the Browns’ rookie kicker, missed an extra point but made up for it with a 34-yard field goal late in the third quarter to give Cleveland the lead for good.
Steelers’ lackluster defense
The Steelers’ defense looked weak and were unable to contain either Cooper or Chubb. Chubb added another 100-yard game to his resume, his second of the season.
T.J. Watt was missed by the defense. They are now 0-6 when Watt is not on the field and have lost two consecutive games since winning their opening week game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
What’s next?
The Pittsburgh Steelers take on the New York Jets on October 2 at home, Heinz Field while Cleveland Browns travel to Atlanta to face the Falcons on the same Sunday.