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Browns vs. Steelers score, takeaways: Rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson leads Cleveland's game-winning drive

The Browns made the big plays when it mattered and won it at the end

CLEVELAND -- In his first NFL start, Dorian Thompson-Robinson engineered a game-winning drive to lead the Browns to a 13-10 win over the rival Steelers. The win moves the Browns to 7-3 and drops the Steelers to 6-4. 

Cleveland's rookie quarterback, starting in place of the injured Deshaun Watson, stepped up on the game's final drive by completing passes to Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore and David Njoku that set up Dustin Hopkins' second game-winning field goal in as many weeks. 

The Browns led 10-0 at halftime on the strength of a dominant defensive performance that included Myles Garrett's sack of Kenny Pickett that nearly resulted in a safety. The sack helped set up Jerome Ford's short touchdown run on the Browns' ensuing drive. Cleveland extended its lead just before halftime on a short Dustin Hopkins field goal. 

Jaylen Warren jump-started Pittsburgh's comeback with a nifty 74-yard touchdown run on the second play of the second half. More strong runs by Warren set up Chris Boswell's game-tying field goal midway through the fourth quarter. 

But Pittsburgh was unable to take the lead despite several big stops by its defense. A non-existent passing game was a major reason why the Steelers dropped their first game this season against a divisional opponent. Pickett finished 15 of 28 for 106 yards in the losing effort.

Here's a closer look at what transpired in Cleveland. 

Why the Browns won

Cleveland took an early lead, never relinquished it and put together the game-winning drive in the final two minutes. While he was bogged down for most of the second half, Thompson-Robinson let it loose on the last drive and the Browns were better off for it. His last big throw, an 11-yard gain to Njoku, set up Hopkins' game-winning kick with two seconds left. 

Defensively, the Browns didn't allow Pickett to complete any deep passes downfield. The Browns' pass rush also received another big game from Garrett, who recorded two sacks while continuing his Defensive Player of the Year push. 

Why the Steelers lost 

Pittsburgh had a big game on the ground, and its defense played well for most of the game until the final drive. But the Steelers lost the field position battle and couldn't get anything going via the pass. Pittsburgh also had several miscommunication errors that led to ill advised timeouts. 

In defeat, the Steelers received another big game from Warren, who recorded his second 100-yard rushing performance in as many outings. 

Turning point 

The Steelers appeared to be on the verge of completing their comeback after Pickett hit George Pickens for a 12-yard gain to get to the Browns' 40-yard-line with 5:47 left. But the Steelers' offense went backwards from there; Pickett threw an incompletion on first down, Najee Harris was stuffed for a five-yard loss on second down and Pickett checked down to Warren for two yards on third down. 

Instead of a potential game-winning field goal attempt, the Steelers punted, then watched as the Browns engineered a game-winning drive several minutes later. 

Play of the game 

The turning point was late, but the game's best play took place early on Garrett's devastating sack of Pickett. The sack set the tone for the game while setting up Cleveland's go-ahead score. 

What's next 

The Steelers will be back in Ohio next Sunday when they face the Bengals. Cincinnati (5-5) will be without Joe Burrow for the rest of the year after the Pro Bowl quarterback injured his wrist in last Thursday's loss to Baltimore. 

Cleveland will travel to Denver to face the Broncos, who have started to pick up momentum under Sean Payton in recent weeks. 

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Live updates
 

So looks like Pickett will come back onto the field after Mitch Trubisky was prepared to run a play, but the Browns are challenging whether Pickett got a first down on the fourth down sneak. 

 

Pickett is injured. 

 

Tush push gives the Steelers a first down. 

 

Allen Robinson takes a shot but hangs onto the ball on third down. He was just short of the first, and Steelers call time as it appears they'll ponder a fourth down play. 

 

Penalty downfield against Diontae Johnson wipes out a nice catch by Jaylen Warren and the Steelers are backed up near their end zone again. 

 

The craziest stat today is Diontae Johnson still has yet to catch a pass. It's clear Jim Schwartz has made it a priority to blanket him. 

 

Good breakup by Pat Peterson forces another Browns punt. 

Like Pittsburgh's last drive, a confusing drive for Cleveland. No runs and three pass plays. 

Punt goes into the end zone, so Steelers will start on their own 20. 

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Larry Ogunjobi hits TR hard on first down, as Pittsburgh's defense continues to apply pressure in the second half. 

 

Jaylen Warren zero touches on the drive after scoring on a 74-yard run on the ensuing drive. 

 

Confusing drive for the Steelers. Way too safe of a pass on third down and the Steelers will punt again. 

Just seems like Pittsburgh doesn't want Pickett to win the game; just don't lose it. 

 

Freiermuth catches his first pass of the game for six yards. Feel like this is a big drive for the Steelers' offense. 

 

Trenton Thompson almost had a pick-six on a pass intended for Cooper. In any event, the Browns are forced to punt after reaching midfield. Browns lack of a running game hurt them on that drive. 

But, the Browns moved the ball enough to once again pin the Steelers inside their 20. 

 

Thompson-Robinson takes a shot from T.J. Watt, but he stands tall and hits Njoku for a first down. 

 

Browns get the first down on a pitch left by Kareem Hunt. Steelers bunched the middle expecting something inside. 

 

Good effort by Thompson-Robinson on the third down run but he's going to end up a little short of the first down. Browns lining up like they're going for it. 

 

Here's a look at the TD, the Steelers' longest TD run since Le'Veon Bell vs. the Panthers in 2014. 
 

Wow, a 74-yard TD run by Jaylen Warren. Great lead block by Broderick Jones and a great job by Myles Boykin downfield shielding the last defender who had a shot at Warren. 

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Steelers get the ball to start the second half. If I'm Pittsburgh I'm committing to the run on this drive until the Browns show they can stop it. 

 

Anthony Walker Jr. (hamstring) will not return to the game for the Browns. 

 

Halftime stats 

Score: Browns 10-0
First downs: Browns 13-9
Third down: Steelers 1-5, Browns 4-8
Total yards: Browns 163-64
Red zone: Browns 1-2, Steelers N/A
TOP: Browns 17:29

Steelers: 50 yards on 11 carries (Harris/Warren 42 yards on eight carries)
Ford: 35 yards and a TD on 10 carries
Pickens: 2 catches, 20 yards
Johnson: 0 catches, 1 target 
Njoku: 4 catches, 34 yards

Thompson-Robinson: 13-18, 98 yards, 0 sacks
Pickett: 5-8, 34 yards, 2 sacks

 

Browns have to settle for 3 after TR throws incomplete passes in the end zone on consecutive plays to Njoku and Cooper. Good coverage by Porter on third down. 

 

Browns in the red zone after TR hits Njoku for a nine-yard gain. 

Steelers haven't been able to contain him so far, and I'm sure their injuries at ILB are part of the problem. 

 

It was a first down, but TR was in bounds, so the clock will run with 1:45 seconds left in the half. 

 

They're reviewing whether or not TR got a first down on that last run. It looked like he did. If he did, the Browns will have a first down on the Steelers' side of the field with two minutes left in the half. 

 

Thompson-Robinson goes right back to Elijah Moore after his drop moments earlier. He was one broken tackle away from taking it to the house. Browns in position to possibly add to their led before halftime. 

 

Pickett swallowed up on third down, and the Steelers will punt again. Broderick Jones got burned by Ogbo Okoronkwo, who recorded the sack. 

 

Pickett appears to be finding his rhythm. Nice first down run on a nice play design that cleared the middle of the field. 

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Nice stop by Cam Heyward on Ford on third down to force a punt. Surprised they haven't looked more Cooper's way after he had success on the game's first drive vs. Porter. 

 

Garrett came back into the game on that drive, so he appears to be OK. Anthony Walker Jr., however, is questionable to return to the game with a hamstring injury. 

 

Pickett and Pickens not on the same page on that third down pass. Steelers punt after getting a six-yard run by Warren on third down. 

Not sure what the issue is, but if the Steelers can't throw they need to double down on the running game with Warren and Harris. 

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