With snow falling, Nick Chubb kept pushing forward.
On a play that looked similar to the one in Pittsburgh last year that almost ended his career, Chubb kept his legs moving and powered into the end zone for a touchdown that he and his teammates would never forget.
Chubb ran for a 2-yard touchdown with 57 seconds left, helping the Cleveland Browns surprise their division rivals with a 24-19 victory over the Steelers, ending their five-game winning streak.
This was Chubb’s first game against the AFC North-leading Steelers (8-3) since he suffered a season-ending left knee injury last September in a Monday night game against the Steelers.
Chubb had injured the same knee while at Georgia in 2015 and had to go through tough rehab to get back on the field. Seeing him score against the Steelers felt almost poetic.
“It meant a lot to me. I know it means a lot to him,” said Myles Garrett, who had three sacks. “He won’t say it, but it’s true. I’ll say it because this time last year we were sick to our stomachs.
There was just so much in the air, so for him to come back and be pivotal in this game just speaks to the kind of resilience and the man that he is. We absolutely love him.” Chubb also scored on a 2-yard run in the second quarter.
The Browns (3-8) had lost a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter and were trailing 19-18 before getting the ball back with 3:22 left after Pittsburgh punter Corliss Waitman kicked a poor 16-yard punt.
With snow building up on the field, Cleveland’s Jameis Winston completed a third-down pass to Jerry Jeudy, bringing the ball to the Pittsburgh 9. Two plays later, Chubb powered into the end zone.
Chubb didn’t speak to the media after the game, but his teammates were thrilled and eager to share his story.
“I’m his No. 1 fan when he’s out there,” Browns running back Jerome Ford said. “If I could, I would start the ‘Chubb’ chant every time he steps on the field.”
The Steelers had one last chance, but Russell Wilson’s Hail Mary on the final play was knocked down by Browns safety Grant Delpit in the end zone, starting a wild celebration at Huntington Bank Field.
Despite a tough season, the Browns’ win over the Steelers helped relieve pressure on coach Kevin Stefanski and gave Cleveland fans something to cheer about.
“Our guys love playing under the lights,” Stefanski said. “They love playing in front of these fans. Add the snow element, it was pretty cool.”
Early snow flurries turned into blizzard-like conditions in the fourth quarter, covering the field in white. Amazon Prime Video used graphics to show the otherwise invisible yard markers and numbers. The Steelers quickly erased an 18-6 deficit, scoring two touchdowns in just over a minute.
Wilson’s 23-yard TD pass to Calvin Austin III with 6:15 left put Pittsburgh ahead by one. Nick Herbig’s strip-sack of Winston gave the Steelers a chance to take the lead and extend their winning streak, but the Browns responded and pulled off their second divisional win after beating the Ravens last month.
“We should’ve won that game,” Wilson said. “We felt like we battled in a tough environment. The way we answered in the fourth quarter was pretty special and we had a chance at the end, too.”
Jaylen Warren scored on a 3-yard run midway through the fourth quarter to pull the Steelers to 18-13. Then, as always, Pittsburgh’s defense made a big play, with Herbig stripping Winston and safety DeShon Elliott recovering the fumble.
Garrett outperformed Steelers star T.J. Watt, just as he intended.
Garrett dominated the first half, sacking Wilson and putting constant pressure on the Steelers’ QB. This came after Garrett had commented earlier in the week about Watt’s apparent slight when Garrett was named Defensive Player of the Year over him last season.
“I wanted to make it known that I’m the guy, I’m No. 1 as an edge defender. That was a statement I was intending to make and I think I made,” Garrett said.
Garrett set up Cleveland’s second score with a strip-sack of Wilson. As he was being blocked, Garrett knocked the ball out of Wilson’s hands, and linebacker Winston Reid recovered.
The Browns drove to the 16-yard line and settled for a 34-yard field goal from Dustin Hopkins, who had missed two kicks in a loss to New Orleans the week before.
Chubb’s second touchdown capped a 12-play, 80-yard drive for the Browns, who had gained just 19 yards and had two three-and-outs in the first quarter.
The Steelers had moved the ball into Browns territory on their first three possessions but came away with just three points.
Chris Boswell, who made six field goals the previous Sunday to score all of Pittsburgh’s points in a win over Baltimore, missed a 58-yard field goal in the first quarter while the field was still in good condition. It was only his second miss in 31 attempts this season.
