The Cleveland Browns are doing things this season that many never saw coming. The Browns showed more late-game heroics in their big 27-24 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football, pushing their record to 3-1 and becoming the talk of the NFL.
The Browns got a game-winning 56-yard field goal from Andre Szmyt with 10 seconds left to take sole possession of first place in the AFC North into the weekend. Szmyt has now made 22 straight field goals dating back to last season.
Cleveland quarterback Deshaun Watson continued his strong start to the season. He was on fire in the second quarter as he helped the team score 21 points including a touchdown pass to tight end Harold Fannin Jr.
The Browns' defense continued to play aggressively. It pressured Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers often, sacking him five times while intercepting him twice.
With that as the backstory, let's take a look at each position group and hand out grades for Cleveland's Week 4 win.
Cleveland's offense showed real progress while the defense and special teams delivered again
Quarterback
Watson was really good again in several moments while also making critical mistakes that helped keep the Steelers in the game. He had a fumble and an interception on back-to-back offensive possessions late in the game.
But then he was able to guide his team down the field and get his kicker, Szmyt, within striking distance for the winning field goal.
Watson finished 24-for-33 passing for 268 yards and one touchdown. He also ran the ball seven times for 22 yards, including a big 21-yard gallop in the second half to keep a drive alive.
He continues to play his best ball in the fourth quarter. If Watson can continue to work toward a complete game he could be even more dangerous.
Grade: B
Running backs
It was a better showing for the running backs. Primary back Quinshon Judkins had his best output of the season, rushing the ball 17 times for 53 yards. He also scored a touchdown. He also had a season-high six catches for 43 yards.
The star of the group, though, goes to little-used Jaleel McLaughlin. The former Denver Broncos player took his lone carry 28 yards to the house, weaving his way in and out of the Steelers' defense.
The running game still needs to get better — especially from under center — if the Browns want to maintain their success.
Grade: C+
Wide receivers/tight ends
This group of the team continues to lead the offensive resurgence. Denzel Boston caught a 60-yard bomb from Watson that helped get the offense going. Boston finished with four catches on the night for 89 yards.
The team's first-round draft pick, KC Concepcion, got going in this game as well. He caught five passes for 64 yards. Several of his plays involved him catching a quick pass from Watson and doing the rest with his elusive foot skills. His biggest play on the night had him taking a quick screen pass and maneuvering through the Steelers' defense for a 25-yard pickup.
Browns tight end Harold Fannin continued his good play as he grabbed three passes for 27 yards, including a quick 2-yard strike from Watson for his third touchdown in two games.
We're bumping up this week's grade to an A- because there was a Jerry Jeudy sighting as well.
Jeudy caught three passes for 36 yards. Two of those catches occurred on the Browns' final game-winning drive. The often-ridiculed player played inspired on that final drive and helped lead Cleveland to a big win.
Grade: A-
Offensive line
The run game improved and the offensive line did its job all night protecting their quarterback. Rookie left tackle Spencer Fano did not allow a single pressure against the Steelers' elite group of pass rushers, per Pro Football Focus.
Right guard Austin Barber, Cleveland's other rookie starter along the O-line, bounced back from a shaky performance last week against the Carolina Panthers, and Luke Wypler did a good job filling in for injured starter Elgton Jenkins.
Veteran right tackle Tytus Howard, who had three motion penalties in the Carolina game, did a decent job against superstar Pittsburgh edge rusher T.J. Watt.
Grade: B
Defensive line/linebackers
The aggressive style the Browns have thrown at their opponents, like their four-man rush and mixing in the linebacker and corner blitzes, has been fun to watch this season.
Cleveland's run defense has been even more impressive. The group's swarming style held the Steelers under 100 rushing yards in the game, which was a key to the victory.
The team sacked Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers five times. Defensive end Jared Verse didn't get a sack but continued to pressure Rodgers all night. Isaiah McGuire got his second sack of the season. Michael Hall Jr., who's being used by the defense in altered roles, picked up a huge third-quarter sack to kill a Steelers drive. Adin Huntington came off the bench and recorded a sack as well.
Both linebackers, Carson Schwesinger and Quincy Williams, were everywhere again in this matchup.
Grade: B+
Defensive backs
Long-time corner Denzel Ward got the Browns going with an early interception when it seemed that Pittsburgh was going to race out to a big lead.
Tyson Campbell returned from an early-season injury and was picked on in the late stages of the game. He was tasked with guarding top Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf. It was difficult for Campbell as Metcalf had several big catches late.
The safety trio of Grant Delpit, Ronnie Hickman Jr., and rookie Emmanuel McNeil-Warren all came up with big plays. Delpit sealed the game with an interception of Rodgers' final heave.
Grade: B+
Special teams
We save the best for last, as the special teams group was outstanding in the big win. Szmyt continued his huge start to the season by kicking two more field goals. His 56-yard game-winner was impressive considering the pressure of the moment.
Corey Bojorquez boomed one of his four punts 80 yards and finished with a 62-yard average.
Grade: A
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