PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Pittsburgh ran over Cleveland and hounded its quarterback all afternoon on Sunday, winning 27-6 at Acrisure Stadium to move alone into first place in the AFC North.
The Steelers, now 6-2 with four straight wins, evened the season series after losing the first meeting in Cleveland. The Browns fell to 5-3, and their bid for a third win in a row ended. Pittsburgh has now beaten Cleveland at home in 23 consecutive regular-season meetings.
The defense sacked the Browns eight times and forced two turnovers. T.J. Watt had two of the sacks, raising his career total against Cleveland to 20.5, more than any player has recorded against that franchise. Patrick Queen made 12 tackles with a sack and a half and a forced fumble. Cleveland gained minus-1 yard in the first quarter and scored only two field goals.
On offense, Pittsburgh dominated up front. The Steelers ran for 117 yards before the first quarter was over, a team high for any opening period dating to at least 2000, and it reached 160 by halftime, the best first half on the ground by any NFL club this season. Jaylen Warren, celebrating his 28th birthday, matched his career best with 143 yards on 17 carries, including a 51-yard burst on third-and-13. Rico Dowdle scored on the opening touchdown drive.
The Steelers led 10-0 early and 20-6 at the half after Pat Freiermuth pushed in from the 1 with a second left. Aaron Rodgers was sacked only once after being dropped five times in the first meeting. Pittsburgh is 4-0 at home under coach Mike McCarthy.
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