Pittsburgh Steelers Survive Second-Half Fade To Down Browns In Opener
By Matt Gajtka
Sep 7, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end
Cameron Heyward(97) reacts after registering a sack against the Cleveland Browns during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
In the latest installment of the Pittsburgh Steelers-Cleveland Browns rivalry, history was nearly made.
Instead, the Steelers avoided what would’ve been an unprecedented Cleveland comeback when Shaun Suisham booted a 41-yard field goal as time expired, providing the winning points in Pittsburgh’s 30-27 victory on opening day at Heinz Field.
The Steelers (1-0) compiled a 27-3 halftime lead on a brilliantly sunny Sunday afternoon, but the Browns (0-1) scored 24 consecutive points to bring themselves to the verge of the largest come-from-behind triumph in their history. Cleveland has never won a game from more than 20 points down.
Shortly after Brian Hoyer‘s 9-yard touchdown pass to Travis Benjamin midway through the fourth quarter completed Cleveland’s 24-point surge, the Browns drove to the Pittsburgh 35 before being forced to punt. Ben Roethlisberger, in the midst of a 365-yard passing performance, connected with second-year receiver Markus Wheaton twice in the final minute to get the Steelers in range for Suisham’s game-winner.
Roethlisberger completed 23 of 34 passes to lead a Pittsburgh offense that amassed 490 yards on the day. Antonio Brown caught five passes for a game-high 116 yards, highlighted by a 35-yard touchdown reception early in the second quarter that put the Steelers ahead 17-3.
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LeGarrette Blount scored the Steelers’ first touchdown of the season on a 7-yard burst in the opening quarter, but the backfield largely belonged to Le’Veon Bell, who racked up 109 yards on 21 carries. His 38-yard sprint with 7 1/2 minutes left in the first half boosted the advantage to 24-3 and appeared to trigger a rout.
However, the Browns turned it on after intermission, with rookie rusher Isaiah Crowell converting a pair of short scoring runs in the third quarter, trimming the Steelers’ lead to 24-17. Fellow first-year Cleveland back Terrance West broke off big plays as well, running his way to 100 yards on a mere 16 attempts in relief of the injured Ben Tate.
Hoyer benefited from the potent ground game, going 19 of 31 for 230 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions – thus giving the Browns no reason to employ intriguing rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel. Andrew Hawkins (eight receptions, 87 yards) was the Michigan State product’s most frequent target.
Veteran safety Troy Polamalu led the Steelers defense with 11 tackles, six of them solo, but he and the rest of the unit won’t be pleased with how much space they gave the Browns in the second half. Cleveland piled up 389 offensive yards, including a troubling 183 on the ground.
Despite the shaky nature of the win, the Steelers will have to regroup quickly. They travel to Baltimore on Thursday to renew their feud with the Ravens in a nationally-televised night game.