The Steelers snapped a three game losing streak and ended one of the more frustrating seasons in recent memory on high note Sunday, defeating the Cleveland Brown 24-10 at Heinz Field.
The victory gives the Steelers a final record of 8-8, avoiding their first losing season since 2003 and the first in the Mike Tomlin era.
Cleveland, playing without their top two quarterbacks and starting running back Trent Richardson, outplayed the Steelers throughout much of the first half, but couldn’t come away with any points after two long drives ended when Troy Polamalu picked off Thad Lewis for his first interception of the season, and Browns kicker Phil Dawson missed a 40 yard field goal.
After both teams traded field goals mid-way through the second quarter, the Steelers took control of the game when Cortez Allen forced a Browns’ fumble with 1:42 to go in the half and the game tied 3-3. It took the Steelers all of 55 seconds to cash in on the turnover, as Ben Roethlisberger hit tight end Leonard Pope for a one yard touchdown to put the Steelers ahead 10-3 at the half.
On the first series of the second half, the Browns went three and out and were forced to punt. However, the Browns stunned the Steelers when they faked the punt and reserve defensive back Ray Ventrone took the direct snap and rambled 40 yards for a first down to the Pittsburgh 40 yard line.
The Browns would later tie the game at 10-10 when Lewis scrambled left and hit Greg Little for a seven yard touchdown.
The Steelers would answer the Browns’ score on their next possession, driving 80 yards on 12 plays to take the lead after Roethlisberger connected with Antonio Brown from nine yards out to make it 17-10.
Mid-way through the fourth quarter, the Steelers took a stranglehold on the game when Cortez Allen forced his second fumble of the afternoon and returned it 21 yards to the Cleveland 27 yard line with 6:27 remaining.
Allen stripped the ball loose from Cleveland’s Travis Benjamin, who got up after pulling in a 13 yard pass from Lewis and had not been touch. The play was reviewed but the call on the field was upheld.
Three minutes after the fumble, the Steelers put the game away when Roethlisberger threw his third touchdown pass on the day, this time hitting Plaxico Burress for a 12 yard touchdown to make it 24-10.
The touchdown was Burress’ first in a Steeler uniform since January 23, 2005, during his first stint with the team.
The Steelers’ defense played another great game, forcing three turnovers and generating four sacks, two of which by Lawrence Timmons, who finishes the year as the Steelers’ leader in interceptions (3), and ties James Harrison for the team lead in sacks (6).
Ben Roethlisberger also played his best game since returning from his rib and shoulder injury, going 15-for-23 for 134 yards, while throwing three touchdowns and no interceptions.
