The Cleveland Browns pulled off a gutsy win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night football to win their third straight game for the first time since 2023.
The Cleveland Browns entered a Thursday Night Football showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers with first place in the AFC North on the line.
It's a prime time stage that tends to bode well for thw Browns, particularly at the friendly confines of Huntington Bank Field, where they'd won seven straight Thursday Night games.
They made it eight with a thrilling 27-24 win over their top rival. Here's what we learned about Todd Monken's team:
1) The rookie WRs have arrived
The first few weeks provided some spurts of what the Browns' rookie wideouts could do, but Week 4 was their official declaration to the league that they are going to be a problem.
Denzel Boston finished the game with four receptionsfor 89 yards. He was responsible for the longest play of the day, a 60-yard catch-and-run reception in the first half that setup Cleveland's second touchdown. He's the only player this season to have multiple 50-plus yard receptions this season.
His sidekick KC Concepcion finally had his breakout performance too, hauling in five passes for 64 yards.
The offense essentially revolves around these two rookies. They have taken this offense to a new level single-handedly.
2) Whatever is left of Deshaun Watson, Todd Monken has found it
There were always questions about Deshaun Watson's fit in Kevin Stefanski's more structured offense and when he was healthy Stefanski could never find whatever version of the embattled QB remained. Monken has found it.
It doesn't feel like hyperbole to say this game was the most complete game Watson has looked during his time with the Browns, despite the fact that he did commit two turnovers in this game. Watson flwas 24-of-33 for 268 yards a TD and an INT. Most importantly, for a fourth straight game he was nails in the fourth quarter, and drove the Browns on yet another game-winning drive, capped off by Andre Szmyt's career long 56-yard FG.
3) Browns can't stop hurting Browns
It's Monken's go-to phrase postgame. He's sure to drop it again tonight because the Browns continue to shoot themselves in the foot with costly penalties. They entered Thursday as the second-most penalized in the NFL. They added 14 more and 88 yards to their ridiculous total.
4) Jaleel McLaughlin is a secret weapon
One of the most exciting plays of the night came on the Browns first TD of the game. With about 12:20 to go in the second quarter, Monken dialed up a read option sweep with the undrafted rookie, Watson gave it and with some great blocking out in from, McLaughlin made a few guys miss and broke free for a 28-yard touchdown. Did Monken find a new toy, perhaps?
5) The O-line is getting better
Thursday night was easily the best performance of the season so far for the Browns o-line, even without Elgton Jenkins. After struggling to run the football for the first few weeks, they entered Week 4 29th in total rushing yards this season (263), yards per game (87.7) and yards per attempt (3.5).
Against the Steelers, Cleveland produced 112 yards on the ground and scored its first two rushing touchdowns of the season, as well. The o-line also held up well in pass protection for Watson for most of the night. There were signs of growth.
6) The Cleveland Browns are good
If you were writing off wins over two lowly NFC South teams, a win over the Steelers on this stage should start making you a believer. With a national audience watching, the Browns proved this start is not a fluke, taking down a legitimate division opponent to take over sole possession of first place in the AFC North, at least temporarily.
It's the first three-game win streak for the franchise since December of 2023. The first time they've led the division since 2014. This isn't some pipe dream anymore. With the schedule that awaits them, this team has a legitimate chance to make a run.
