Browns at Steelers instant analysis | Steel City jinx continues for Browns in loss

PITTSBURGH — A 2-0 start for the first time in 30 years. A regular-season win in Pittsburgh for the first time in 20 years.

That was what was on the line as the Browns got the football at their own 25 with 2:55 remaining in Monday night's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Decades of history just 75 yards away from being erased.

They were 47 yards away when the two-minute warning arrived. Cold reality of a 1-1 start and another loss in Pittsburgh followed just a minute later.

Deshaun Watson's fourth-down pass from the Pittsburgh 49 to Donovan Peoples-Jones sailed helplessly out of bounds. That sealed the Browns' 20th consecutive regular-season loss on the Steelers' home field.

Watson was 22-of-40 passing for 235 yards with a touchdown and an interception, plus a 70.3 passer rating. He was sacked six times, the biggest coming on the final drive, a third-and-7 play from the Steelers 47 by Elijah Riley.

The Steelers scored two defensive touchdowns to bookend their win. They were outgained 408-255 in total yards.

Jerome Ford rushed for 106 yards on 16 carries. Ford was pressed into service when Nick Chubb suffered what is in all likelihood a season-ending knee injury early in the second quarter.

The Browns haven't won a regular-season game on the Steelers' home field since Oct. 5, 2003, a 33-13 beatdown on ESPN's "Sunday Night Football" with Tim Couch at quarterback and Daylon McCutcheon stealing the show with a 75-yard interception return for a touchdown. They broke out orange pants for the game, the first time they had won those in a game since 1983.

For Monday's game, they brought back white helmets for the first time since 1951. They accompanied the white throwback jerseys and pants that were debuted in 2021.

Follow along here for updates and instant analysis as the Browns take on the Steelers on "Monday Night Football."

Browns defense gives offense a chance with third-down stop

The Steelers had a chance to drain time with just over three minutes remaining and leading 26-22. They had a third-and-1 from their own 34.

However, they called a Kenny Pickett run-pass option, which the quarterback kept. The Browns had Anthony Walker Jr. and Ogbo Okoronkwo right in position, though, to drop him for a 3-yard loss and force a punt with 3:02 remaining.

Alex Highsmith strip sack leads to T.J. Watt fumble return for Steelers TD

Alex Highsmith gave the Steelers a 7-0 lead with a pick-six on the first play of the game. With 6:58 remaining in the fourth quarter, Highsmith's strip sack of Deshaun Watson led to T.J. Watt's fumble return for a touchdown.

Highsmith blew past left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. and got to Watson, knocking the ball loose. Watt picked up the ball and returned it 17 yards for the 26-22 Steelers lead.

Greg Newsome II has elbow injury, return questionable

Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II has been in and out of the lineup since initially sustaining an elbow injury to his right arm. The team announced Newsome's return to be questionable after the Browns defense forced a Steelers punt with 9:01.

Deshaun Watson facemask flag, David Njoku fumble blows up Browns drive

Deshaun Watson ruined a second Browns drive with his second facemask flag. This time, he threw down Steelers defensive lineman Montravius Adams Jr. while trying to scramble well behind the line of scrimmage.

That turned what would've been fourth-and-4 at the Steelers 37 into third-and-27 at the Browns 40. The next play, David Njoku fumbled the ball to Pittsburgh at the Steelers 40.

Amari Cooper makes sensational catch to help Browns kick-start fourth quarter drive

The Browns were stuck in a hole to start the fourth quarter, facing third-and-6 at their own 5. Deshaun Watson lobbed a pass down the left sideline to Amari Cooper.

Cooper managed to get his hands on the ball with one foot on the ground, then tapped a second one inbounds before a third step landed on the sideline. The Steelers initially challenged the call, but the officials ruled the play stood as called.

The 18-yard grab was one of two big catches for Cooper on the drive. He also had a 23-yard catch to the Browns 46.

Browns take 22-19 lead into fourth quarter

The Browns will open the fourth quarter with a 22-19 lead over the Steelers. However, they'll also face a third-an-6 from their own 5.

Pressley Harvin III's punts pin Browns deep

Pressley Harvin III has been maybe the most consistent player for either team. The Steelers punter once again pinned the Browns deep when his punt bounced and made a right-hand turn to go out at the Browns 1 with 1:11 left in the third quarter.

Harvin has average 43 yards on five punts through three quarters.

Deshaun Watson's blunder blows up promising Browns possession

The Browns were at midfield, looking at third-and-10 after Deshaun Watson took off an ran. However, the quarterback sabotaged his own team by grabbing the facemask of Steelers linebacker Kwon Alexander and throwing him to the ground on the Pittsburgh bench.

The 15-yard penalty on Watson made it third-and-25 from the Browns 34. They would end up punting it away.

Browns cornerbacks Denzel Ward to locker room, Greg Newsome II to medical tent

The Browns had two cornerbacks sustain injuries on the Steelers' second offensive possession of the third quarter. On second-and-21 from the Steelers 38, cornerback Greg Newsome II remained down and grabbed his right arm.

Newsome spent some time with the trainers, both on the field and in the medical tent. However, he was seen after the Browns forced a punt back with his helmet on the sideline, but with a black wrap around his arm.

Meanwhile, at the same time Newsome was being tended to, cornerback Denzel Ward ran to the Browns locker room with trainers. Ward's injury was later determined to be cramps, and his return was said to be probable.

Jerome Ford breaks off long run to set up Pierre Strong Jr. touchdown run

Jerome Ford took the Browns and gave them life on their second offensive play of the third quarter. Ford took the handoff to the right, found no room and reversed to the left.

There Ford found open field, racing 69 yards nearly into the end zone before he was tripped up literally inches from the goal line. Two plays later, Pierre Strong Jr., lining up in the I-formation behind Nick Harris as an eligible fullback, ran it in from a yard out for the touchdown.

Deshaun Watson added the 2-point conversion run to give the Browns a 22-19 lead with 10:01 remaining in the third quarter.

Chris Boswell adds another 50-yard field goal to boost Steelers lead

Chris Boswell capped a 9-play, 44-yard Steelers drive to open the third quarter with a 50-yard field goal. The kick extended Pittsburgh's lead to 19-14 with 11:47 remaining in the third quarter.

The big play was a 25-yard Kenny Pickett-to-George Pickens pass on third down early in the drive. That was the play on which Browns defensive end Za'Darius Smith suffered what appeared to be an ankle injury, although Smith tried to return to the game before the field goal try.

Za'Darius Smith needs help walking off field after injury

The Browns injury woes carried into the second half. Specifically the third play of the half.

Defensive end Za'Darius Smith suffered what appeared to be an left ankle injury while trying to rush Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett. Smith remained down for several minutes after Pickett's 25-yard completion to George Pickens.

Smith needed helped up off the turf, as well as assistance getting to the sideline and into the medical tent. There's been no official word yet.

Dustin Hopkins' 55-yard field goal pulls Browns within 16-14 at halftime

The Browns trailed the Pittsburgh Steelers 16-14 at halftime. The margin was that thanks to Dustin Hopkins' 55-yard field goal with 22 seconds remaining in the half.

It was a yard shy of Hopkins' career long, which was 56 yards while with Washington in 2018.

The Browns hold a 164-152 edge in total yards. They also have a 77-1 rushing edge.

Deshaun Watson comes up gimpy after T.J. Watt sack

T.J. Watt's franchise-record sack left Deshaun Watson a little slow getting up off the turf. On third-and-7 from the Steelers 30, Watt just ran past right tackle Dawand Jones and sacked Watson for a 7-yard loss.

Watson stayed down for a moment before getting up and, with a little hop initially, walked off the field. It gave Watt 81.5 career sacks, the most in the Steelers history.

David Njoku gives Browns offense a shot in the arm

The Browns offense turned non-existent for the three series after Nick Chubb's injury. After Jerome Ford's 3-yard touchdown catch with 14:02 remaining in the second quarter, they had three consecutive three-and-outs netting 0 yards.

Deshaun Watson was 1-of-6 passing for 3 yards and the touchdown after Chubb's injury. However, he got a big lift on the fourth possession after the injury/touchdown, as tight end David Njoku had a 29-yard catch-and-run on first-and-20 from the Browns 15 right at the two-minute warning.

George Pickens burns Browns defense for 71-yard Steelers touchdown

George Pickens has twice now in two games against the Browns in Pittsburgh burned their secondary for a touchdown. This time, it was a 71-yard touchdown catch on a post pattern coming from the right side of the formation and completely split the secondary to the end zone.

Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. had an opportunity to make a tackle on the play at the Browns 36. However, he missed it, letting Pickens run free.

The Browns were flagged for being offsides on the point-after kick, leading the Steelers to try a 2-point conversion. Najee Harris was hit as he tried to jump into the end zone, jarring the ball loose to keep the Pittsburgh edge at 16-11 with 6:05 remaining in the second quarter.

Three-and-out, Calvin Austin punt return set up Steelers field goal

The Browns were pinned inside their own 10 yet again on a Steelers punt. They posted a three-and-out aided by a Harrison Bryant drop and a sack of Deshaun Watson.

The Corey Bojorquez punt was returned by Calvin Austin 14 yards to the Browns 36. However, Pittsburgh would only net 5 yards on the possession and Chris Boswell would make a 52-yard field goal to pull it within 11-10 with 9:11 remaining in the first half.

Jaylen Warren gets loose on broken coverage, but Browns bow up

The Browns had their first real blown coverage when running back Jaylen Warren got loose on a 30-yard catch-and-run on a swing pass out of the backfield. That came on third-and-3 from the Steelers 32, and moved it to the Browns 38.

However, the Steelers would end up punting the ball to the Browns after linebacker Sione Takitaki dropped Warren for a 2-yard loss on first down. The next two Kenny Pickett passes went incomplete.

Jerome Ford catches touchdown pass one play after Nick Chubb's injury

Nick Chubb was barely taken up the tunnel on the cart with a knee injury when the Browns had to get back to work on offense. Fittingly, second-year running back Jerome Ford caught a 3-yard touchdown pass from Deshaun Watson to give the Browns the lead.

After the Steelers were flagged for being offsides on the point-after kick, the Browns elected to run Ford in on the 2-point conversion. It gave the Browns an 11-7 lead with 14:02 remaining in the second quarter.

Nick Chubb carted off with left knee injury

The Browns suffered a massive loss with 14:14 remaining in the second quarter when Minkah Fitzpatrick crashed into Nick Chubb's left knee while running inside the Steelers 5. Chubb immediately took off his helmet in significant pain.

The scoreboard showed the initial replay once, which drew an audible gasp from the crowd. The "Monday Night Football" broadcast elected not to show the replay.

This is the same knee Chubb shredded while playing for the University of Georgia on Oct. 10, 2015. He tore three of the four ligaments in his left knee, all but the anterior cruciate ligament, and needed surgery as a result.

End 1st quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers 7, Cleveland Browns 3

The Browns will start the second quarter at the Steelers 20, facing second-and-3. They hold a 110-19 total yards edge, a 23-7 total plays edge and a 67-minus-3 edge in rushing yards.

Grant Delpit gets fumble recovery to give Browns ball back, although barely

After the Steelers were flagged for a false start after being awarded the ball following the review, Kenny Picket threw a pass to Gunner Olszewski, who was immediately hit by cornerback Denzel Ward. The ball popped free and Grant Delpit recovered on the ground and got up to start running.

However, Delpit was stripped of the ball on the return, but neither team could recover it before it went out of bounds. The ball was awarded to the Browns at the Steelers 23 with 8 seconds remaining.

Steelers win replay challenge on Browns fourth-down run by Deshaun Watson

The officials, after a lengthy review, ruled that Deshaun Watson fumbled the ball on his fourth-down attempt. That gave Pittsburgh the ball at its own 42.

The ball was knocked out by Montravius Adams Jr. and recovered by Larry Ogunjobi. The former Browns defensive lineman also had a sack earlier in the first quarter.

The officials also ruled there were 22 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

Steelers challenging fourth-down run by Deshaun Watson

What appeared to be the final play of the first quarter was a Deshaun Watson quarterback run on fourth-and-1 from the Steeler 43. The officials initially ruled that Watson had made the line to gain.

However, multiple replays led Steelers coach Mike Tomlin to challenge the spot. Also, it appeared that Watson fumbled the ball as well.

The Browns trailed the Steelers 7-3 after one quarter.

Amari Cooper, Nick Chubb help Browns get out of field position hole

The Browns stopped the Steelers on three-and-out on their second offensive possession. However, the punt was downed at the Browns 5.

They would face a third-and-4 from their own 11, where Amari Cooper, who's availability was in doubt up until about 90 minutes before kickoff, pulled in a 17-yard pass with a defender on his back. That was followed up by runs of 21 and 9 yards by Nick Chubb to put the ball at the Pittsburgh 43.

Dustin Hopkins' first miss spoils Grant Delpit's interception

The Browns offense did nothing with Grant Delpit's interception. Steelers defensive end Larry Ogunjobi beat Wyatt Teller off the snap on first down and sacked Deshaun Watson for a 7-yard loss.

Ogunjobi also had a pressure on third-and-16 play which left Dustin Hopkins with another 43-yard field goal. He missed it badly left, leaving the Steelers in front 7-3 with 6:38 left in the first quarter.

Grant Delpit puts Browns in red zone with an interception on Steelers first play

Grant Delpit returned the favor to the Steelers on their first possession, at least somewhat. The Browns safety came up with an interception of Kenny Pickett at the Pittsburgh 19.

Browns answer pick-6 with Dustin Hopkins field goal

Credit to the Browns. A first-play pick-6 against the Steelers in Pittsburgh would've crumbled many previous Browns teams.

However, the Browns answered the staggering opening punch by moving the ball down to the Pittsburgh 24. Deshaun Watson was 5-for 6 on the drive for 32 yards, while adding a big 7-yard run on a cutback.

Nick Chubb added four carries for 21 yards on the drive. That includes a 9-yard run to put the ball on the Steelers 25, from where Dustin Hopkins made a 43-yard field goal pull within 7-3 with 8:46 remaining in the first quarter.

The drive was halted by a Dawand Jones hold on T.J. Watt that negated a big run by Chubb.

Alex Highsmith pick-6 gives Steelers lead on opening play of the game

The very first play was a simple out route to the left to tight end Harrison Bryant. However, the ball went off his hands, off Steelers safety Minkah Fitzptrick's and into the hands of linebacker Alex Highsmith.

Highsmith returned the interception 30 yards for the Pittsburgh touchdown. The Steelers needed nine seconds to give the Browns their first deficit of the season.

Cleveland Browns open up on offense against Steelers

The Steelers won the coin toss, but deferred the option to the second half. That gave the Browns the ball to start the game.

The Browns opened up with these 11.

QB: Deshaun Watson

RB: Nick Chubb

TE: David Njoku

TE: Jordan Akins

TE: Harrison Bryant

WR: Amari Cooper

RT: Dawand Jones

RG: Wyatt Teller

C: Ethan Pocic

LG: Joel Bitonio

LT: Jedrick Wills Jr.

Amari Cooper, Juan Thornhill will play for Browns against Steelers

Amari Cooper will be active for the Browns as they take on the Pittsburgh Steelers on "Monday Night Football."

The Browns top receiver was questionable since sustaining a groin injury during Friday's workout. There were even reports from national media outlets on Sunday afternoon indicating it was unlikely Cooper would play against the Steelers.

Cooper didn't come onto the field until about 6:30 p.m., but he did so without any trainers. He immediately went to work with the rest of the receivers working on routes on air.

It will be the 120th career game for Cooper since coming into the league with the then-Oakland Raiders in 2015. He last missed game on Nov. 25, 2021, while with the Dallas Cowboys when they played the Raiders.

Also active for the Browns will be safety Juan Thornhill, who missed the opener and was questionable for Monday with a calf injury. The other questionable Browns player, defensive tackle Siaki Ika (foot), was among the inactive players.

The other Browns on the inactive list were: cornerback Kahlef Hailassie, safety Ronnie Hickman, center Luke Wypler and defensive end Isaiah McGuire.

The Steelers listed the following as inactive: QB Mason Rudolph (3rd QB), CB Desmond King, T Dylan Cook, WR Dez Fitzpatrick.

How to watch, stream and listen to the Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers

• TV channel: ABC WEWS-TV (Channel 5).

• Stream: ESPN+, Fubo (free trial).

• Announcers: Joe Buck (play-by-play), Troy Aikman (analyst) and Lisa Salters (sideline reporter).

How to listen to the Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers on the radio

The Cleveland Browns Radio Network will carry the game, with Chris Rose (play-by-play), Nathan Zegura (analyst) and Je'Rod Cherry (sideline reporter) on the call. Among the affiliates in the Akron-Canton area are WAKR-AM 1590, WONE-FM 97.5, WHBC-AM 1480, WQKT-FM 104.5, WKRK-FM 92.3, WKNR-AM 850 and WNCX-FM 98.5.

The Browns have also started a Spanish-language broadcats, with Rafael “Rafa” Hernández-Brito (play-by-play) and Octavio Sequera (analyst) on the call. Games will be streamed on La Mega Cleveland, as well as heard on WNZN-FM 89.1 in Lorain and WVKO-FM 103.1 in Columbus.

Westwood One Radio will also be broadcasting the game nationally. Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) and Kurt Warner (analyst) will be on the call

Browns-Steelers odds, money line, over/under

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:30 a.m. ET, Monday.

• Moneyline (ML): Browns -130 (bet $130 to win $100) | Steelers -130 (bet $130 to win $100)

• Against the spread: Browns -2 (-110) | Steelers +2 (+110)

• Over/Under (O/U): 38 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers injury report

• Browns: Receiver Amari Cooper (groin), questionable; safety Juan Thornhill (calf), questionable; defensive tackle Siaki Ika (foot), questionable

• Steelers: Receiver Dionte Johnson (hamstring), out; running back Anthony McFarland (knee), out

Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1

The Browns opened the season with a 24-3 win over the AFC North rival Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns Stadium. They limited Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow to just 82 passing yards.

The Steelers opened the season with a 30-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Acrisure Stadium. The Steelers trailed 20-0 before gaining a first down late in the first half.

Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers on 'Monday Night Football'

The Browns are making their 36th appearance on "Monday Night Football," with an all-time record of 17-18. They posted a 31-21 win over the New York Jets on the program's inaugural broadcast on Sept. 21, 1970. In their last "Monday Night Football" appearance, they defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 32-13 in Cleveland in Week 8 of last season.

The Steelers are making their 78th appearance on "Monday Night Football," with an all-time record of 52-25. Their .675 winning percentage on the broadcast is the best in the NFL with a minimum of 50 appearances. They've won 20 consecutive home "Monday Night Football" games dating to a 23-20 loss to the New York Giants on Oct. 14, 1991. In their last appearance, they defeated the Indianapolis Colts 24-17 in Indianapolis in Week 12 of last season.

Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers rivalry

Monday's game marks the 144th all-time meeting between the Browns and Steelers, including the 141st regular-season matchup. Here's a breakdown of the series, which was first played in 1950.

• Overall: Steelers, 80-62-1

• In regular season: Steelers, 78-61-1

• In playoffs: Steelers, 2-1

• In Pittsburgh: Steelers, 51-22

• In Cleveland: Browns, 40-29-1

• Streak: Steelers won the last meeting 28-14 in Pittsburgh on Jan. 8, 2023

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on Twitter at @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns vs Steelers game live score, updates on Monday Night Football