Cleveland Browns 3 studs (and 2 duds) in last-second win over Steelers

The Cleveland Browns found a way to walk away with another one-score win. Typically, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been the ones to upset teams in close games, coming into Week 11 with nine wins in a row. This time, they were stuffed by the Browns defense and then Dustin Hopkins hit a game-winner for the second week in a row.

There's no way to praise everyone on this team as much as they deserve after the victory. This was the epitome of a team win and it shows why they've remained confident even after losing Deshaun Watson for the season. Rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson wasn't perfect but he made the clutch plays and the defense shut down the Steelers when they had to.

It all came together for a 13-10 win, which is the third in a row for Cleveland. It's also their third win in the division as they got some revenge on the Ravens and Steelers for early-season losses. With all that being said, let's see who stood out as studs and duds in Week 11.

Cleveland Browns Stud: Ogbo Okorownkwo, EDGE

Myles Garrett made a huge play on the first defensive snap of the game and continues to be the leader of this defense. In fact, he's the leader of the entire team with Nick Chubb and Deshaun Watston out. But he's far from the only pass-rusher who can frustrate the opposing team.

In addition to Garrett, the Browns added Za'Darius Smith and Ogbo Okoronkwo this offseason. Smith was the high-profile signing but Okoronkwo has proven to be a perfect fit for this defense. An ascending pass-rushing talent, Okoronkwo made several plays behind the line of scrimmage on Sunday.

Not only did he record a sack, which gives him 3.5 on the year, but he also had four tackles for a loss. His signing was largely under-the-radar since he's not a household name but he's made one play after another. He's far better than any No. 2 pass rusher this team had in 2022 and continues to shine when needed the most.

What's most impressive is that he showed up to the game on Sunday still wearing a hospital band. He was celebrating the birth of his son this weekend and still made it to the field in time to have his best game of the season. What a week for No. 54.

Cleveland Browns Dud: James Hudson III, Right Tackle

With the Steelers tying the game up at 10, the Browns were looking to move the ball downfield to take the lead back. They were off to a good start when Dorian Thompson-Robinson hit Harrison Bryant for a 13-yard pass to start the drive. Unfortunately, that pass didn't count thanks to a flag.

While the refs initially pointed to the defense, the penalty was actually called on the offense, with James Hudson III being guilty of an illegal hands infraction. Hudson then hurt the team again on the next snap when he was pushed back into his quarterback by T.J. Watt. The pass-rushing outside linebacker was quiet before then but recorded a sack, setting up a second-and-22.

DTR hit a 14-yard pass to Elijah Moore on the very next snap but that still meant it was fourth-and-eight for the Browns. They again had to punt the ball away, giving it back to the Steelers with 5:47 to play. Three-and-outs are always frustrating but it's even worse when the offense initially had a first down — which was the case here before Hudson's gaffes.

Hudson wasn't in for the final drive and overall, he didn't have a terrible game. Cleveland was alternating him and Dawand Jones since the rookie was injured but Hudson nearly cost them in the end. With Jones out there to close things out, he was unable to redeem himself but at least the Browns still got the win.

Cleveland Browns Stud: Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Quarterback

After the way Dorian Thompson-Robinson played in Week 4, it was a huge risk to start him this week against the Steelers. It was understandable why Kevin Stefanski made the call since they actually lost to the Seattle Seahawks due to a poor pass from P.J. Walker. Still, we all were hopeful the rookie would be better in this outing.

As far as the stats go, there wasn't a lot to get too excited about. Thompson-Robinson was just 24-of-43 for 165 yards with no touchdowns and one pick. He did have 20 yards on the ground but it felt as though he was hesitant to push the ball downfield. That was surely part of the game plan as the Browns wanted the defense to win this one but there were times he held the offense back with inaccurate passes.

Having said that, he was on fire when it counted most. DTR was 4-of-4 for 39 yards on the final drive before spiking the ball with five seconds left. He stood in the pocket and made the right reads on that drive, allowing his team to get the win. And in all honesty, he threw some dimes on the previous drive but they were dropped.

Still, the most important thing was that final drive. Cleveland is now 7-3 and on a three-game winning streak. They have a strong enough defense to win as long as the offense doesn't make mistakes and Thompson-Robinson was able to do just enough. All they need in order to make the playoffs is a hame manager and he proved in Week 11 that he can be that. That gives them plenty of confidence as they prepare to face the Broncos on the road in Week 12.

Cleveland Browns dud: David Njoku, Tight End

Against the Ravens, it was hard to find anyone who meant as much to the Browns win as David Njoku. The seventh-year tight end had 58 yards on six receptions and was bowling over people after every catch. This weekend, he again put up great numbers but nearly cost his team as well.

Njoku finished with a team-high seven receptions and had 56 yards — which was second only to Elijah Moore who had 60. The problem is, it took an awful lot of passes to get those numbers. Dorian Thompson-Robinson targeted Njoku 15 times, which was nearly double the player with the second most targets — Amari Cooper had eight. Some of the misfires were on the quarterback but Njoku let him down as well.

The first example of this came in the second quarter when Thompson-Robinson threw it his way in the end zone. Njoku did have a defender right on him but was in front of him and boxed him out for the ball. DTR also put it where only the tight end could make a play and it hit him directly in the hands before falling to the turf.

Yes, it would have been a tough catch but Njoku is one of the highest-paid tight ends in the game, meaning he's supposed to make those. Cleveland settled for three on that drive, taking a 10-0 lead. That was a solid halftime lead but it could have been more.

Njoku let the quarterback down again late in the game, dropping the ball twice on the same drive. First was on a first-and-10 but then two plays later, on third-and-seven, he dropped another. That seemed to be devastating since Cleveland had to punt it away with fewer than two minutes to play.

Fortunately, the defense got them the ball back with only 14 seconds running off the clock. Njoku even got some redemption when he caught the final pass of the game, an 11-yarder that moved the ball to the Pittsburgh 26. He deserves praise for that play, which ensured they would be in field goal range but he might not have gotten that chance if the defense wasn't on fire.

Cleveland Browns Stud: Kevin Stefanski, Head Coach

Say what you will about Kevin Stefanski but his play-calling was significantly better, especially on the opening drive, as the Browns set up a very manageable third-and-three and then allowed DTR to run six yards for the first down. He then settled into a rhythm and completed a couple of quick passes to Elijah Moore and Amari Cooper to again move the sticks. Cleveland ended up having to punt following a couple of plays that didn't move the ball at all but even their first third-and-10 was a much better play than we saw in Thompson-Robinson's first start.

On this play, Stefanaski called a screen pass to Jerome Ford, who gained just three yards. Despite the short gain, it was a safe call that could have broken. Since it didn't, Cleveland was able to punt and that led to Pittsburgh being pinned inside their own five. The goal should be to end every drive with a kick and a punt that pins the opponent deep can be a win.

Cleveland forced a three-and-out and got the ball back at midfield but it should have been a 2-0 lead. Myles Garrett sacked Kenny Pickett for an eight-yard loss and was inexplicably said to be down just outside of the goal line. The same was said when Dalvin Tomlinson tackled Najee Harris but even the refs favoring the Steelers couldn't stop the quick three-and-out.

The Browns responded beautifully with a seven-play drive that went 50 yards and ended with Jerome Ford running it in for the first touchdown of the game. There were some questions about Stefanski not challenging the potential safety but this time, he did pull out the red flag when Ford was originally called short of the end zone. Stefanski's challenge this time made it a 7-0 lead for the home team.

Not only does the head coach deserve credit for tailoring this game plan around the rookie but he also threw other wrinkles into the offense. On their first scoring drive, we saw them use read-option plays, play-action passes, and even the Wild Cat formation. He was also getting the QB on the move, ensuring he was more comfortable.

In the second half, Stefanski continued to call great plays. After giving up a 74-yard touchdown to make it 10-7, Cleveland was in danger of a quick three-and-out. That didn't happen since he went for it on fourth-and-less than one, even calling a pitch from Harrison Bryant to Kareem Hunt which moved the sticks. Cleveland still had to punt but they moved it to midfield first and again pinned the Steelers deep.

Cleveland improved to 7-3 and a huge reason for that was the play-calling. They tailored this plan to the rookie and never panicked. They let the defense lead the way and in the end, that resulted in another win for the Browns, who remain a half-game behind Baltimore.

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