By: Jared Villani @JVillain10
SteelerNation.com
After the "rivalry" between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns got extremely heated last season, the Steelers came out showing great poise and patience with Ben Roethlisberger at the helm. Although the Steelers couldn't find the end-zone on the opening drive of the game, Chris Boswell's 35-yard field goal put Pittsburgh on top 3 to 0 early.
Despite getting off to a hot start this season, Cleveland struggled right out of the gate in this matchup. Quarterback Baker Mayfield was nursing a rib-injury and looked a bit out of sorts, especially when Minkah Fitzpatrick made his biggest play of the season with a pick-six to bolster the Steelers early lead. Pittsburgh now ahead 10 to 0 over Cleveland.
THINGS. YOU. LOVE. TO. SEE@minkfitz_21 | ???? CBS ????https://t.co/tI5aUTu7te pic.twitter.com/Su6dvq5Jn2
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 18, 2020
The Steelers defense was firing on all cylinders in the first half and made Mayfield look terribly uncomfortable. Rookie Chase Claypool built upon his impressive outing last week as he hauled in a 36-yard deep pass over the top over a Cleveland defender. This helped lead the Steelers offense downfield and allowed Pittsburgh's bell-cow James Conner to display more hard-nosed running with a seven-yard touchdown to put the Steelers up 17 to 0 over the Browns.
Pittsburgh's defense continued to torment Mayfield and give him his toughest task to date on the season, throwing another interception right into the hands of Cameron Sutton and giving the ball right back to the Steelers offense. Roethlisberger looked as comfortable as ever and wasted little time exploiting Cleveland's blown coverage on a 28-yard touchdown pass to James Washington.
WIDE OPEN ????@JamesWashington | ???? CBS ????https://t.co/tI5aUTu7te pic.twitter.com/KThCLo9Ziu
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 18, 2020
Cleveland showed a little bit of life on their next offensive drive, making a nine-play drive count as Mayfield found Rashard Higgins for a 13-yard touchdown. Despite the pressure on Mayfield, the Steelers weren't quite able to hold the Browns off, however, Pittsburgh still leads after the Browns score 24 to 7 going into the second half.
It's no secret that Pittsburgh can downright draft wide receivers, their eye for scouting the position is unmatched and Chase Claypool is proving that with every play. Although Conner had bene slashing the Browns stout run defense all day, Claypool showcased his ability to run the ball as well for his second rushing touchdown of the season. The Steelers increase their already sizable lead, now 31 to 7 over the Browns.
.@ChaseClaypool's second rushing touchdown of the season!
???? CBS ????https://t.co/tI5aUTu7te pic.twitter.com/pQmsIYuLxN— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 18, 2020
Just when it was looking like things couldn't get any worse for Cleveland, they did. The Steelers made Cleveland suffer even further with their brutally effective ground and pound attack with Conner leading the way, but it was Benny Snell who joined the party on this drive with a short one-yard score to continue the bleeding. Steelers increase their lead 38 to 7 which would be the final score of this contest.
Pittsburgh Stat Leaders
Ben Roethlisberger 14 of 22 162 Passing Yards One Touchdown
James Conner 20 Carries 101 Yards One Touchdown
Chase Claypool 4 Receptions 74 Yards One Rushing Touchdown
Cam Heyward 8 Tackles
