Browns Don’t Lose To Steelers

The victory refrigerators from Bud Light will remain locked for now, but the Cleveland Browns avoided another regular season-opening loss with a 21-21 comeback tie against the Pittsburgh Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland.  The last time the Browns won a season opener was in 2004 against Baltimore.

The Browns appeared destined for another loss in the fourth quarter when they were down 21-7. However, Cleveland outscored the Steelers 14-0 in the fourth quarter, fueled by two of Pittsburgh’s six turnovers in the game. A late 43-yard field goal attempt with nine seconds left in overtime by Browns’ kicker Zane Gonzalez was blocked, leading to the 21-21 final.

“I felt like somebody was offside over there on the other side,” said Browns head coach Hue Jackson. “Obviously, they did not call it. The ball got blocked. We have to execute better.” 

The Browns went 0-16 in 2017 and 1-15 during the 2016 season. Anheuser-Busch InBev announced previously that 10 refrigerators stocked with Bud Light will unlock in the Cleveland area after the Browns earn their first win since December 24, 2016. 

“Obviously, disappointed at the outcome – a tie game,” Jackson said. “I am proud of the guys fighting, coming back and giving us a chance there at the end. Obviously, the defense did some good things. Some things we have to continue to clean up but getting six turnovers was really good.”

Jarvis Landry led the Browns with seven receptions for 106 yards. Josh Gordon caught one pass for 17 yards and the tying touchdown. Former Ohio State star cornerback and fourth overall draft pick Denzel Ward intercepted two passes in his NFL debut for the Browns.

The Browns were plus-five in the turnover battle, but Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw for 335 yards and running back James Conner rushed for 135 yards and two touchdowns in the absence of star Le’Veon Bell, who is holding out in a contract dispute.

Browns quarterback Tyrod Taylor was just 15-40 passing for 197 yards, but Taylor threw for one touchdown and also led the Browns with 77 yards rushing and a score.

“I thought he handled everything,” Jackson said. “We turned some things loose protection wise. We had some mental errors that we have to continue to clean up and get better. I thought he handled the game as well as you could expect him to in the first game – the elements, first game at home, Pittsburgh Steelers and all of that.”

Jackson said he took no consolation in the tie.

The Browns will look for their first victory since 2016 next Sunday in New Orleans, against a Saints team that lost 48-40 to Tampa Bay in Week 1.