Steelers 38, Browns 34: Rodgers’ late sneak keeps Pittsburgh undefeated in AFC North thriller

PITTSBURGH, PA - In a vintage AFC North clash under the lights at Acrisure Stadium, the Pittsburgh Steelers stayed undefeated, outlasting the Cleveland Browns 38-34 in a thriller that saw Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco trade blows like two prizefighters deep into the 12th round. Rodgers threw for 380 yards and three touchdowns, adding two more on the ground to cap a five-TD performance that helped the Steelers improve to 5-0 on the season.

Rodgers rallies the Steelers late

Trailing 34-31 with less than two minutes left, Rodgers orchestrated a flawless 75-yard drive capped by a one-yard keeper to seal the win. "That's Steeler football," Rodgers said postgame. "Grit, belief, and execution when it matters most." Head coach Mike Tomlin praised his veteran quarterback's poise: "You can't coach composure like that. He's seen everything, and the guys feed off his confidence."

The connection between Rodgers and D.K. Metcalf was unstoppable all night. Metcalf hauled in seven catches for 199 yards and two touchdowns, including a 58-yard strike that ignited the second-quarter surge. "When 8 puts it up, I just go get it," Metcalf said with a grin. "We knew we had to keep attacking their secondary."

Flacco's big night overshadowed

For the Browns, Flacco was sharp, completing 25 of 35 for 362 yards and three touchdowns. Gabe Davis led the way with 123 yards receiving, while Jerome Ford added 57 yards rushing and a touchdown. "We executed well offensively," said Browns coach Kevin Stefanski. "But when you face a future Hall-of-Famer like Aaron, one mistake or one missed stop can change everything."

Cleveland built a 14-3 first-quarter lead thanks to back-to-back scoring drives capped by a Ford plunge and a 60-yard bomb to Tyler Boyd. But Pittsburgh roared back with 21 second-quarter points, highlighted by Metcalf's pair of touchdown grabs and a 24-yard scoring toss to Jaylen Warren.

Steel Curtain bends, but doesn't break

Though the Steelers defense surrendered 417 yards, they stiffened after halftime, forcing field goals on key second-half drives. "We knew we had to make a stop late," said safety John Johnson III. "We bent, but we didn't break."

The turning point came midway through the fourth quarter when a Steelers goal-line stand held Cleveland to a field goal, keeping the deficit within reach for Rodgers' final heroics.

Up Next

The Steelers (5-0) travel to face the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 7. The Browns (2-4) return home to host the Miami Dolphins in Week 7.