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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
 

Pickett to Pickens give the Steelers a first down. 

 

Myles Garrett on the sideline at the start of the Steelers' first drive of the quarter. Looks like he had some sort of issue with his right eye. 

 

Browns lead 7-0 after 1. 

Browns out-gained Pittsburgh 84-16 in the opening quarter. That's old hat for Pittsburgh, who has been out-gained in every game so far this year. 

 

Here's a look at Ford's TD that gave the Browns a 7-0 lead. 
 

Joe Haden in the house rocking Browns gear. Haden played for Cleveland from 2010-17 and Pittsburgh from 2018-21. 

 

Pickett hits Washington but Steelers have to punt. Pickett had Pickens open downfield but either didn't see him or wanted to play it safe. 

 

Steelers have to burn a second timeout, again due to communication issues. 

Mike Tomlin said this week that he wanted to see how his team responded to playing its first road game in the AFC North. So far, not so good. 

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Nice throw from Pickett on first down. Looked like he was locked into Robinson but he instead hits Pickens down the middle for 6. 

 

Wow, officials say the ball touched the goal line, so Browns score the game's first TD. Cleveland's hot start has lot to do with Robinson, who is 5 of 6 for 41 yards. 

 

Before the snap, the Browns decided to challenge the previous play. On the replay, doesn't look like Ford scored. 

 

Browns going for it on fourth and goal. Look for the tush push. 

 

Ford gashes the Steelers on the far side and a face mask on Pat Peterson on the play gives the Browns a first down on Pittsburgh's 6. 

 

Thompson-Robinson hits Njoku for an 18-yard pickup. Browns' O-line doing a great job in protection so far. 

 

There are Steelers fans here, but the Browns backers are extremely loud and surely contributed to the Steelers' issues on their first drive. 

 

Here's a look at Garrett's sack. The Browns' defensive line dominated Pittsburgh's front on that drive. 

Cleveland's second drive will start on the 50. 
 

Pickett rolls and hits Robinson on third down, so the Steelers get a little breathing room for the punt and avoid a safety. 

 

Myles Garrett crushes Kenny Pickett and almost records a safety. He ran right through Dan Moore Jr. 

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So Kenny Pickett's first drive in Cleveland will start in the shadow of his own end zone. Officials are saying the Browns initially touched the ball on the 9, not the 3. 

 

Browns go conservative on third down, but CLE did some good things on the drive and have an early field position edge. Steelers first drive will start on their own 3. 

 

Amari Cooper beats Joey Porter Jr. for a first down. Cooper used his strength to push Porter and create space. 

 

Miscommunication early for the Steelers, who have several new players on defense. Trenton Thompson, recently promoted from the practice squad, ran on and off the field before the Steelers called time on second down. 

 

Browns will start with the ball. 

 

Keys to the game

Steelers

Start fast
Don't let Cooper, Njoku go off 
Maintain time of possession

Browns 

Force turnovers 
Force Pittsburgh into obvious passing situations 
Establish the run 

 
 
 
 

Welcome to our live coverage of Steelers vs. Browns today from Cleveland. Lot of energy in the area given the Browns' 6-3 start and the Steelers also being 6-3. 

Also, great weather for football. A little wind but nothing that should impact the game. Temp in the mid 50s. 
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