Jameis Winston and the Cleveland Browns battled through the snow, the turnovers, and a Pittsburgh Steelers defense that was tighter than usual to come away with a hard-nosed 20-17 win on Sunday. In a game characterized by cold winter weather and sloppy play, the Browns outlived their division rivals the Steelers, keeping their playoff hopes alive.
The victory was Winston’s first significant performance with Cleveland. He led his team to a hard-fought win in front of the hometown crowd braving elements by overcoming early mistakes.
The game started with both teams struggling to adjust to the snowy conditions at FirstEnergy Stadium. Dropped passes, missed blocks, and slippery footing do not provide for a good offense for either team to get into a groove. It is especially very sketchy for the Browns as Winston threw an interception that gave the Steelers great field position on its opening drive.
Pittsburgh made the most of the turnover immediately in terms of a quick strike, a 12-yard Kenny Pickett touchdown pass to Diontae Johnson for an early 7-0 Steelers lead. The Browns responded with one of their drives, but a botched snap in the red zone forced them into settling for a field goal.
It took Winston some time, however, to regain his footing in the second quarter. The Browns and their smash-mouth play often relied on Nick Chubb to pound out difficult yards to spring open counter-action chances. Winston completed a 30-yard pass to Amari Cooper for the tying touchdown at 10 apiece by halftime.
In the second half, Winston matched that with a spirited display of making plays under pressure. This early in the fourth quarter, he orchestrated a 75-yard drive that ended with a 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end David Njoku, giving the Browns their first lead of the game.
The Steelers, used to getting down and gritty, would not leave quietly. Pickett led a late fourth-quarter drive, punctuated with a 40-yard completion to George Pickens, that tied the game at 17 with less than three minutes to go.
It was then that the Browns defense rose to the occasion. On third down, it was Myles Garrett who came up with a crucial sack, forcing Pittsburgh to punt with just over a minute left.
With the game hanging by a thread, Winston didn’t. Starting from the own 25-yard marker, he threw two consecutive completions to Cooper and Elijah Moore to reposition the Browns into field goal position. Kicker Dustin Hopkins pounded in a 45-yard game-winning field goal as time ran out, sending Cleveland faithful into utter frenzy.
Resilience and adroit Winston led the Browns to a win over the Steelers. Cleveland maintains playoff hope as it prepares for another tough divisional match against its rival next week. In the meantime, the Browns and their fans can take pride in a gritty win on a snowy Sunday.
