The Browns have not won a game at Heinz Field since 2003.
PITTSBURGH — The Browns have won the hearts of Cleveland fans with a 4-1 start, their best since 1994. However, on Sunday they deal with the true measuring stick of any season.
The team team is in Pittsburgh this afternoon to face the hated and undefeated Steelers in what is being billed as the biggest matchup in the storied rivalry in over a decade. Cleveland will not only look to extend its winning streak to five, but also snap a 16-game losing streak at Heinz Field dating back to 2004. That includes a frustrating 20-13 loss last year against Steelers’ third-string quarterback Devlin “Duck” Hodges.
In their first meeting last year in Cleveland, the Browns did earn their first win over Pittsburgh since 2014, but it came at a cost as star defensive end Myles Garrett was suspended for the rest of the season after hitting Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph over the head with a helmet. Garrett claimed Rudolph directed a racial slur at him (which Rudolph denied), but the NFL did not change the penalty, and this game will mark the first time Garrett has lined up against Pittsburgh since that fateful Thursday night.
3News’ Ben Axelrod offered a preview of the showdown Sunday morning:
What follows is a drive-by-drive live blog of today’s contest, with the most recent plays and updates closest to the top. Stay tuned for analysis throughout the day on 3News and WKYC.com.
1ST QUARTER
7:14: The Browns go three and out on their next drive as Bud Dupree sacks Baker Mayfield. The Steelers will get the ball on their own 35 following a Jamie Gillan punt.
8:58: Disaster for the Browns as Minkah Fitzpatrick returns a Baker Mayfield interception 33 yards for a touchdown. The Steelers are out to a 10-0 lead.
10:35: The Steelers’ opening drive stalls in the red zone, but they strike first on a 35-yard field goal by Chris Boswell. Pittsburgh leads 3-0 early.
PREGAME
The Browns had a bit of a scare this week after Odell Beckham Jr. was sent home from practice with an unknown illness, but the stud receiver has been cleared to play after testing negative for COVID-19. Additionally, quarterback Baker Mayfield is expected to start after suffering a rib injury in last week’s win over the Indianapolis Colts.
Myles Garrett is also playing his first game against the Steelers since last year’s infamous helmet incident. He chatted with Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin pregame.