Aaron Rodgers’ farewell tour had one more stop, and it ended with a loss. The Browns beat the Steelers 27-24 on Thursday night, sealing Cleveland’s third straight win and spoiling what was scheduled to be Rodgers’ final Thursday night game.
Deshaun Watson led the Browns to a comeback win, throwing for 268 yards and a touchdown. The game-winning moment came on a seven-play possession, with Andre Szmyt kicking a 56-yard field goal to give Cleveland a 27-24 lead. Rodgers finished with 299 passing yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.
The Fourth Quarter Turnaround
Pittsburgh tied the game at 24 with an eight-play, 80-yard drive in the fourth quarter. The Browns answered immediately, moving the ball down the field and setting up Szmyt’s kick. The field goal sealed the win.
Rodgers entered the night one victory shy of tying Tom Brady’s record of 14 Thursday night wins. The loss dropped him to 13-8. Steelers coach Mike McCarthy is 11-5 on Thursday nights, including wins in four of his past five games.
Road Struggles Continue for Pittsburgh
The Steelers fell to 0-10 in road games against AFC North opponents. Their Thursday night struggles against division rivals are well documented, and this one added to the ledger.
The Browns entered Week 4 with a 2-1 record for the first time since 2023. Thursday’s victory moved Cleveland into first place in the AFC North.
Rodgers on the Schedule
Thursday night also marked the 150th meeting of all-time between the rivals, which are separated by only 135 miles.
“I just suck it up for those three hours and then know you get a reward on the back end. I think it’s part of the game now because of the money that’s in it. I think I’m just excited about the weekend,” Rodgers told reporters before Thursday night’s game.
Week 5 Matchups
Both the Browns and Steelers get extra rest before their Week 5 games. Cleveland visits the New York Jets, while Pittsburgh hosts the Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 11.
Key Facts
- Final: Browns 27, Steelers 24
- Rodgers: 299 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
- Watson: 268 yards, 1 TD
- Szmyt: 56-yard winning field goal
- Rodgers: 13-8 career record on Thursday nights
- Steelers: 0-10 on the road against AFC North opponents
- Browns: First place in the AFC North
The Browns won because they found the right play at the right time. Rodgers’ farewell tour was scheduled to end with this game, and it did — with a loss, two interceptions and a quarterback who now knows what it feels like to lose.
Source material: “Browns’ late field goal spoils Aaron Rodgers’ Thursday night finale, seals Cleveland's third straight win,” Fox News.
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