By: Jared Villani @JVillain10
SteelerNation.com
The Pittsburgh Steelers didn't go into this AFC North matchup with a huge sense of urgency against the Cleveland Browns as they would sit key starters such as Ben Roethlisberger and T.J. Watt, but if scenarios played in their favor they'd see the #2 seed in the AFC and home field advantage.
The Browns got off to as hot of a start as any courtesy of running back Nick Chubb with a big-time 47-yard rushing touchdown to get Cleveland off to an early lead as they fought for a playoff spot themselves. Chubb's touchdown put the Browns on the board first with a 7-0 lead over the Steelers.
Back and forth action summarized most of the first half as both teams relied heavily on their special teams units. Cody Parkey struck first for the Browns, hitting from 23 yards out after a deep ball connection between Baker Mayfield and Rashard Higgins and Cleveland's lead increases to 10-0.
Matthew Wright filled in for Chris Boswell and looked fantastic converting from 29 and 46 yards to bring the Steelers within one score as the second half concluded. Pittsburgh heads into the second half down 10-6.
The Steelers offense picked up right where they left off in the first half and that was with Matthew Wright being their sole provider of points as he stayed perfect on the day with another field goal from 46 yards out.
The Browns were up next to put points on the board and do something the Steelers had failed to do to this point and that was to score by way of touchdown. Mayfield found tight end Austin Hooper for a two-yard touchdown pass and elevate the Browns to 17-9.
Mason Rudolph looked solid in this matchup to this point, but a misfire to JuJu Smith-Schuster led to his first notable mistake of the game as M.J. Stewart got the interception resulting in great field position for the Cleveland offense. With the third quarter concluding with the Browns leading, they wasted no time trending upward in this game with perhaps their most versatile player Jarvis Landry running the ball from three yards out. The Browns now able to pull away by two scores as they lead 24-9.
The fourth quarter was a completely different story for the Steelers offense and Rudolph looked to redeem himself after the costly turnover. Rookie receiver Chase Claypool has been a great addition to the offense and despite not playing with Rudolph at all this season, you'd never know with the chemistry they displayed throughout the game. Claypool snagged a beautiful 28-yard pass from Rudolph for their first touchdown of the game. Steelers now trail 24-16.
Go up and get it‼️
???? CBS ????https://t.co/tI5aUTu7te | @Rudolph2Mason | @ChaseClaypool pic.twitter.com/PyvvptpI8j— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 3, 2021
Rudolph continued to impress late in the game as he found JuJu Smith-Schuster for a two-yard touchdown, but the game was concluded on a failed two-point conversion and the Steelers fell short 26-24. The late game heroics were a pleasant surprise for Rudolph and this game wasn't a must-win, but as things stand right now the Steeles will face off against Cleveland in the playoffs with rested starters and a higher sense of urgency.
Pittsburgh Stat Leaders
Mason Rudolph 315 Yards 2 Touchdown Passes
James Conner 9 Rushes 37 Yards
Chase Claypool 5 Receptions 101 Yards 1 Touchdown
Alex Highsmith 9 Tackles 1 Sack
