Week 4: Steelers Comeback Falls Short against the Browns
The Pittsburgh Steelers entered Week 4 coming off another chaotic stretch — one that even included trading cornerback Joey Porter Jr. — and still had a chance to grab early control of the AFC North. Instead, they left Cleveland stunned. A 27–24 loss dropped them to 2–2, with a late rally falling just short and a divisional opportunity slipping away.
Game Recap
The Steelers opened the afternoon with the same bruising formula they used back in Week 3 against the Bengals — a methodical, clock‑draining march that swallowed more than nine minutes and ended in a clean 12‑yard strike from Aaron Rodgers to Roman Wilson. The extra point pushed Pittsburgh out to a 7–0 lead and set the early tone.
But momentum flipped fast in the second quarter. Rodgers’ costly interception gave Cleveland a short field, and the Browns wasted no time capitalizing. Running back Jaleel McLaughlin burst through the left side for a 28‑yard touchdown, tying the game at 7 and swinging the energy right back toward the visitors.
The Browns extended their lead after a stalled Steelers possession, stringing together a smooth 4‑play, 74‑yard drive. Running back Quinshon Judkins finished it off with a decisive touchdown run, putting Cleveland up by one score. After their previous scoring drive, the Browns struck again — this time through tight end Harold Fannin Jr., who hauled in a touchdown to stretch the lead to 14.
The Steelers would put together a small drive before half that would end in a field goal by kicker Chris Boswell to cut the lead to 11.
The Steelers finally got a spark in the third quarter when T.J. Watt ripped the ball free for a strip‑sack and fell on the fumble. But the offense couldn’t cash it in, coming away empty and missing a chance to swing the momentum.
The Steelers finally answered in the fourth. Rookie safety Robert Spears‑Jennings grabbed an interception, and Aaron Rodgers turned it into a six‑play, 77‑yard drive capped by a 21‑yard strike to Darnell Washington. The two‑point try failed, but Pittsburgh cut the deficit to five. The Browns would respond on the next series with a 44-yard drive, ending in a field goal to extend their lead to eight.
The Steelers mounted their best late push of the day in the fourth quarter. After forcing a Browns punt, Aaron Rodgers hit DK Metcalf for a big gain that took Pittsburgh deep into the red zone just before the two‑minute warning. A fourth‑down pass interference kept the drive alive, and Rodgers capitalized by finding Pat Freiermuth in the end zone. The two‑point conversion was good, pulling the Steelers even at 24.
With seconds remaining in the contest, Watson would engineer a drive that would bring his Browns into field goal range - a field goal that kicker Andre Szmyt would succesfully make from 56 yards, giving them a 27-24 which would stand as the game winner as Rodgers hail mary attempt is intercepted by safety Grant Delpit.
Game Standouts
The Steelers spent most of the first half tripping over miscues, but both sides of the ball settled in after the break and nearly pulled off a late comeback. Aaron Rodgers battled through an uneven afternoon yet still finished just shy of 300 yards with three touchdowns and a successful two‑point run.
Running back Jaylen Warren was the offense’s anchor, piling up 126 scrimmage yards and serving as their most reliable option throughout the day.
In the passing game, DK Metcalf led the way with his first 100‑yard outing since Week 14 against Baltimore. Rookie Roman Wilson added another efficient performance, posting 74 yards on three catches and a touchdown.
Defensively, T.J. Watt bounced back from a quiet Week 3 and delivered a full stat‑line: a sack, a forced fumble, two tackles for loss, and two pass breakups. Rookie safety Robert Spears‑Jennings continued his strong start with seven tackles, an interception, and two pass deflections.
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