Duck’s Dynasty? Backup Hodges leads Steelers by Browns 20-13
AP
Dec 01, 2019
PITTSBURGH (AP) No fighting. No helmet swinging. Barely any trash talking. Just football.
And one very loud statement from the banged-up Pittsburgh Steelers written not on a T-shirt but all over the Heinz Field turf: The faces may change when Cleveland visits Pittsburgh. The result does not.
Undrafted rookie free agent Devlin ''Duck'' Hodges threw for 212 yards with a touchdown and an interception, fellow rookie Benny Snell ran for 63 yards and a score and the largely anonymous Steelers (7-5) surged past the Browns 20-13 on Sunday. The hosts exacted a measure of revenge for its ugly, brawl-marred defeat in Cleveland two weeks ago by keeping the Browns (5-7) winless in Pittsburgh for 16 years and counting.
''It's been a weird year,'' Steelers guard David DeCastro said.
Yet the Steelers remain in the middle of the playoff chase after rallying from 10 points down thanks in large part to Hodges, a champion duck caller in his down time now 2-0 as starter. Bumped to the top of the depth chart last week in place of struggling Mason Rudolph, Hodges completed 14 of 21 passes and hardly played like a guy cut at the end of training camp.
''I've always believed in myself,'' Hodges said. ''I know I have people in my corner who believed in me. Even the guys on the team, when I was let go, I had a bunch of them text me and say, `Hey, this isn't over for you.'''
It might be for the Browns (5-7), who saw their three-game winning streak come to a crashing halt. They were outplayed over the final three quarters by a Steelers team riddled with injury and inexperience at the offensive skill positions. Cleveland likely now needs to win out and get some help to reach the playoffs.
''No one is coming to save us,'' Cleveland defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson said. ''It's too late in the season for that. We're all we got.''
The Browns had their chances. Cleveland took an early 10-0 lead but sputtered the rest of the way. Baker Mayfield completed 18 of 32 passes for 196 yards with a touchdown and an interception, and played the second half with his right (throwing) hand in a protective glove after smacking it against the face mask of Pittsburgh linebacker Bud Dupree.
Mayfield declined to blame the injury, which the Browns described as a bruise, as a reason behind his so-so second half. Mayfield went 8 of 15 for 98 yards after getting hurt, his final throw a wayward toss in the direction of Jarvis Landry that Steelers cornerback and former Brown Joe Haden picked off with 1:06 remaining. Nick Chubb ran for 58 yards and Kareem Hunt added 65 total yards and a touchdown reception. But Cleveland failed to pull even with the Steelers in the AFC North and sweep the season series from its rival for the first time in 31 years.
''PITTSBURGH STARTED IT'' ... AND FINISHED IT
The teams' first meeting on Nov. 14 ended with an ugly altercation between Cleveland defensive end Myles Garrett and Rudolph that ended with Garrett hitting Rudolph in the head with Rudolph's helmet. The ensuing fallout - which included Garrett being suspended indefinitely; Rudolph fending off Garrett's allegation that he used a racial slur shortly before things got out of hand; suspensions for Browns defensive end Larry Ogunjobi and Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey - reignited a rivalry that's been dominated by the Steelers since Cleveland returned to the NFL a generation ago.
Just in case it needed a little more stoking, Browns coach Freddie Kitchens was spotted wearing a ''Pittsburgh started it'' T-shirt on Friday night. Several Steelers responded with some inauspicious wardrobe choices while walking into work on Sunday.
''I think it was pretty stupid,'' DeCastro said. ''It's a lot of bulletin board material. I don't know why you do that as a coach. I just don't get that. Of course it's going to motivate us. What are you thinking? It's just not smart.''
Kitchens, who said he wore the shirt at the request of his daughters, downplayed the notion his fashion sense had any effect on the outcome.
''The T-shirt didn't cause us to give up 40-yard passes,'' Kitchens said. ''We were ready to play. That's the only thing people need to be concerned about.''
Mayfield shrugged when asked about Kitchens' shirt, saying simply ''I've done much worse.''
KEEPING THEIR COOL
Both teams stressed the need to move on and focus on the playoff mix rather than search for retribution for what transpired in the final minute in Cleveland. For the most part, they kept their promise. There were no post-play jawing sessions and the only 15-yard penalty came on a roughing-the-passer call against Dupree on Cleveland's last drive.
''I think it was very straightforward,'' Pittsburgh defensive end Cam Heyward said. ''Both teams wanted to win the game. It's an AFC North game. We just kept fighting for it.''
INJURIES
Browns: CB Greedy Williams left in the second half with a shoulder injury. CB Robert Jackson exited in the first quarter with an ankle injury and did not return.
UP NEXT
Browns: host in-state rival Cincinnati next Sunday. Cleveland swept the Bengals last season for the first time since 2002.
Steelers: travel to Arizona next Sunday.
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CLEBrowns
- Field Goal (13 plays, 62 yards, 7:29 poss)
Result
Play
Kickoff
(15:00 - 1st) C.Boswell kicks 65 yards from PIT 35 to end zone Touchback.
+3 YD
1 & 10 - CLE 25
(15:00 - 1st) N.Chubb right guard to CLE 28 for 3 yards (D.Bush; C.Heyward).
No Gain
2 & 7 - CLE 28
(14:21 - 1st) B.Mayfield pass incomplete short middle to J.Landry (M.Hilton). Coverage by 28-Hilton.
+19 YD
3 & 7 - CLE 28
(14:17 - 1st) B.Mayfield pass short left to J.Landry to CLE 47 for 19 yards (Te.Edmunds).
+7 YD
1 & 10 - CLE 47
(13:37 - 1st) K.Hunt left tackle to PIT 46 for 7 yards (J.Hargrave D.Bush).
+3 YD
2 & 3 - CLE 46
(12:59 - 1st) N.Chubb left guard to PIT 43 for 3 yards (S.Nelson).
+21 YD
1 & 10 - CLE 43
(12:18 - 1st) B.Mayfield pass short left to S.Carlson to PIT 22 for 21 yards (J.Haden).
No Gain
1 & 10 - CLE 22
(11:31 - 1st) N.Chubb up the middle to PIT 22 for no gain (B.Dupree T.Alualu).
+1 YD
2 & 10 - CLE 22
(10:48 - 1st) B.Mayfield pass short left to K.Hunt to PIT 21 for 1 yard (D.Bush).
Penalty
3 & 9 - CLE 21
(10:04 - 1st) PENALTY on CLE-J.McCray False Start 5 yards enforced at PIT 21 - No Play.
+15 YD
3 & 14 - CLE 26
(9:45 - 1st) B.Mayfield pass incomplete short right to J.Landry. Cleveland challenged the incomplete pass ruling and the play was REVERSED. B.Mayfield pass short right to J.Landry ran ob at PIT 11 for 15 yards.
Penalty
1 & 10 - CLE 11
(9:25 - 1st) PENALTY on PIT-B.Dupree Neutral Zone Infraction 5 yards enforced at PIT 11 - No Play.
-1 YD
1 & 5 - CLE 6
(9:06 - 1st) N.Chubb right tackle to PIT 7 for -1 yards (D.Bush T.Watt).
Sack
2 & 6 - CLE 7
(8:23 - 1st) B.Mayfield sacked at PIT 13 for -6 yards (T.Watt).
No Gain
3 & 12 - CLE 13
(7:39 - 1st) B.Mayfield pass incomplete short middle to O.Beckham. Coverage by 28-Hilton Pressure by 90-Watt.
Field Goal
4 & 12 - CLE 13
(7:34 - 1st) A.Seibert 31 yard field goal is GOOD Center-C.Hughlett Holder-J.Gillan.
(13:22 - 2nd) B.Mayfield pass short middle to O.Beckham to CLE 34 for 4 yards (M.Barron).
+11 YD
2 & 6 - CLE 34
(12:44 - 2nd) B.Mayfield pass short middle to J.Landry to CLE 45 for 11 yards (Te.Edmunds).
+9 YD
1 & 10 - CLE 45
(12:03 - 2nd) N.Chubb right guard to PIT 46 for 9 yards (D.Bush M.Fitzpatrick).
+2 YD
2 & 1 - CLE 46
(11:23 - 2nd) N.Chubb up the middle to PIT 44 for 2 yards (M.Hilton).
+12 YD
1 & 10 - CLE 44
(10:46 - 2nd) N.Chubb left tackle to PIT 32 for 12 yards (M.Hilton; Te.Edmunds). Penalty on PIT-T.Watt Defensive Offside declined.
+5 YD
1 & 10 - CLE 32
(10:20 - 2nd) N.Chubb left tackle pushed ob at PIT 27 for 5 yards (S.Nelson).
+7 YD
2 & 5 - CLE 27
(9:58 - 2nd) N.Chubb left guard to PIT 20 for 7 yards (D.Bush J.Hargrave).
-3 YD
1 & 10 - CLE 20
(9:13 - 2nd) K.Hunt left tackle to PIT 23 for -3 yards (C.Heyward).
+8 YD
2 & 13 - CLE 23
(8:31 - 2nd) B.Mayfield pass short left to J.Landry to PIT 15 for 8 yards (D.Bush) [T.Watt].
+15 YD
3 & 5 - CLE 15
(7:46 - 2nd) B.Mayfield pass short middle to K.Hunt for 15 yards TOUCHDOWN.
PAT Good
(7:40 - 2nd) A.Seibert extra point is GOOD Center-C.Hughlett Holder-J.Gillan.
PITSteelers
- Field Goal (10 plays, 62 yards, 4:44 poss)
Result
Play
Kickoff
(7:40 - 2nd) A.Seibert kicks 65 yards from CLE 35 to PIT 0. K.Whyte Jr. to PIT 17 for 17 yards (D.Hilliard A.Taylor).
No Gain
1 & 10 - PIT 17
(7:34 - 2nd) D.Hodges pass incomplete short middle to D.Johnson.
+1 YD
2 & 10 - PIT 17
(7:30 - 2nd) D.Hodges pass short right to V.McDonald to PIT 18 for 1 yard (M.Wilson L.Ogunjobi).
+31 YD
3 & 9 - PIT 18
(6:53 - 2nd) D.Hodges pass deep left to J.Washington pushed ob at PIT 49 for 31 yards (G.Williams). Penalty on CLE-S.Richardson Defensive Offside declined.
+17 YD
1 & 10 - PIT 49
(6:27 - 2nd) D.Johnson right end pushed ob at CLE 34 for 17 yards (J.Burris). CLE-C.Thomas was injured during the play. CLE-S.Richardson was injured during the play.
+7 YD
1 & 10 - PIT 34
(6:11 - 2nd) Z.Banner reported in as eligible. Direct snap to J.Samuels. J.Samuels left tackle to CLE 27 for 7 yards (J.Hassell).
+5 YD
2 & 3 - PIT 27
(5:31 - 2nd) Direct snap to J.Samuels. J.Samuels up the middle to CLE 22 for 5 yards (J.Burris).
+3 YD
1 & 10 - PIT 22
(4:50 - 2nd) B.Snell Jr. left tackle to CLE 19 for 3 yards (M.Wilson).
Penalty
2 & 7 - PIT 19
(4:10 - 2nd) PENALTY on PIT-D.Hodges False Start 5 yards enforced at CLE 19 - No Play.
+3 YD
2 & 12 - PIT 24
(3:46 - 2nd) K.Whyte Jr. up the middle to CLE 21 for 3 yards (E.Ankou).
No Gain
3 & 9 - PIT 21
(3:05 - 2nd) D.Hodges pass incomplete short right. Pressure 38-Carrie.
Field Goal
4 & 9 - PIT 21
(3:00 - 2nd) C.Boswell 39 yard field goal is GOOD Center-K.Canaday Holder-J.Berry.
(1:00 - 2nd) C.Boswell kicks 59 yards from PIT 35 to CLE 6. T.Thomas MUFFS catch and recovers at CLE 6. T.Thomas to CLE 7 for 1 yard (J.Holton).
+2 YD
1 & 10 - CLE 7
(0:55 - 2nd) K.Hunt up the middle to CLE 9 for 2 yards (Te.Edmunds; T.Watt). PENALTY on CLE-J.Landry Illegal Shift 3 yards enforced at CLE 7 - No Play.
+16 YD
1 & 13 - CLE 4
(0:51 - 2nd) K.Hunt left guard to CLE 20 for 16 yards (M.Barron).
No Gain
1 & 10 - CLE 20
(0:44 - 2nd) B.Mayfield pass incomplete deep right to J.Landry. Coverage by 23-Haden.
+16 YD
2 & 10 - CLE 20
(0:39 - 2nd) K.Hunt right guard to CLE 36 for 16 yards (M.Fitzpatrick).
No Gain
1 & 10 - CLE 36
(0:21 - 2nd) B.Mayfield pass incomplete deep left to O.Beckham. Coverage by 28-Hilton.
No Gain
2 & 10 - CLE 36
(0:16 - 2nd) B.Mayfield pass incomplete deep right to O.Beckham. Coverage by 20-Sutton.
No Gain
3 & 10 - CLE 36
(0:07 - 2nd) G.Gilbert pass incomplete short middle to R.Higgins. Coverage by 28-Hilton.
No Gain
4 & 10 - CLE 36
(0:02 - 2nd) G.Gilbert pass incomplete deep right.
(15:00 - 3rd) A.Seibert kicks 55 yards from CLE 35 to PIT 10. K.Whyte Jr. to PIT 31 for 21 yards (K.Hodge).
Penalty
1 & 10 - PIT 36
(14:57 - 3rd) Z.Banner reported in as eligible. D.Hodges pass short right to K.Whyte Jr. to PIT 36 for 5 yards (S.Takitaki). FUMBLES (S.Takitaki) and recovers at PIT 36. K.Whyte Jr. to PIT 36 for no gain (S.Redwine). PENALTY on PIT Illegal Formation 5 yards enforced at PIT 31 - No Play.
+15 YD
1 & 15 - PIT 26
(14:37 - 3rd) D.Hodges pass short left to J.Samuels pushed ob at PIT 41 for 15 yards (G.Williams).
+7 YD
1 & 10 - PIT 41
(14:02 - 3rd) J.Samuels right end pushed ob at PIT 48 for 7 yards (D.Ward).
+8 YD
2 & 3 - PIT 48
(13:26 - 3rd) J.Samuels left end to CLE 44 for 8 yards (S.Redwine). PENALTY on PIT-D.Johnson Unnecessary Roughness 15 yards enforced between downs.
+44 YD
1 & 10 - PIT 41
(13:01 - 3rd) D.Hodges pass deep right to J.Washington pushed ob at CLE 15 for 44 yards (D.Ward).
+9 YD
1 & 10 - PIT 15
(12:13 - 3rd) B.Snell Jr. up the middle to CLE 6 for 9 yards (J.Burris; M.Wilson).
-6 YD
2 & 1 - PIT 6
(11:32 - 3rd) Z.Banner reported in as eligible. B.Snell Jr. left tackle to CLE 12 for -6 yards (J.Burris J.Schobert).
Penalty
3 & 7 - PIT 0
(10:47 - 3rd) D.Hodges pass incomplete short right to D.Cain (D.Ward). PENALTY on CLE-D.Ward Defensive Pass Interference 11 yards enforced at CLE 12 - No Play.
+1 YD
1 & 1 - PIT 1
(10:42 - 3rd) Z.Banner reported in as eligible. B.Snell Jr. left guard for 1 yard TOUCHDOWN.
PAT Good
(10:36 - 3rd) C.Boswell extra point is GOOD Center-K.Canaday Holder-J.Berry.
(10:36 - 3rd) C.Boswell kicks 65 yards from PIT 35 to end zone Touchback.
Penalty
1 & 10 - CLE 25
(10:36 - 3rd) PENALTY on CLE-N.Chubb False Start 5 yards enforced at CLE 25 - No Play.
+3 YD
1 & 15 - CLE 20
(10:36 - 3rd) N.Chubb left end ran ob at CLE 23 for 3 yards (M.Barron).
+16 YD
2 & 12 - CLE 23
(10:04 - 3rd) B.Mayfield pass short middle to J.Landry to CLE 39 for 16 yards (M.Hilton).
+7 YD
1 & 10 - CLE 39
(9:26 - 3rd) B.Mayfield pass short left to S.Carlson to CLE 46 for 7 yards (S.Nelson).
+5 YD
2 & 3 - CLE 46
(8:46 - 3rd) N.Chubb up the middle to PIT 49 for 5 yards (B.Dupree).
+1 YD
1 & 10 - CLE 49
(8:12 - 3rd) N.Chubb right tackle to PIT 48 for 1 yard (J.Hargrave).
+7 YD
2 & 9 - CLE 48
(7:30 - 3rd) B.Mayfield pass short middle to J.Landry to PIT 41 for 7 yards (Te.Edmunds).
+1 YD
3 & 2 - CLE 41
(6:48 - 3rd) N.Chubb up the middle to PIT 40 for 1 yard (T.Alualu J.Hargrave).
+2 YD
4 & 1 - CLE 40
(6:08 - 3rd) N.Chubb up the middle to PIT 38 for 2 yards (B.Dupree Te.Edmunds).
No Gain
1 & 10 - CLE 38
(5:30 - 3rd) B.Mayfield pass incomplete short right to N.Chubb. Coverage by 55-Bush Pressure by 98-Williams.
Penalty
2 & 10 - CLE 34
(5:25 - 3rd) B.Mayfield pass short right to J.Landry to PIT 34 for 4 yards (J.Haden). PENALTY on CLE-C.Hubbard Offensive Holding 10 yards enforced at PIT 38 - No Play.
Sack
2 & 20 - CLE 48
(4:59 - 3rd) B.Mayfield sacked at CLE 44 for -8 yards (B.Dupree). FUMBLES (B.Dupree) [B.Dupree] RECOVERED by PIT-C.Heyward at CLE 46. C.Heyward to CLE 46 for no gain (W.Teller).
PITSteelers
- Field Goal (10 plays, 35 yards, 6:01 poss)
Result
Play
+14 YD
1 & 10 - PIT 46
(4:49 - 3rd) B.Snell Jr. right guard to CLE 32 for 14 yards (T.Carrie; J.Schobert).
+4 YD
1 & 10 - PIT 32
(4:10 - 3rd) B.Snell Jr. up the middle to CLE 28 for 4 yards (S.Richardson).
Penalty
2 & 6 - PIT 28
(3:35 - 3rd) PENALTY on PIT-V.McDonald False Start 5 yards enforced at CLE 28 - No Play.
+4 YD
2 & 11 - PIT 33
(3:09 - 3rd) D.Hodges pass short left to B.Snell Jr. to CLE 29 for 4 yards (M.Wilson).
+9 YD
3 & 7 - PIT 29
(2:24 - 3rd) D.Hodges scrambles left guard to CLE 20 for 9 yards (D.Ward).
+4 YD
1 & 10 - PIT 20
(1:44 - 3rd) Z.Banner reported in as eligible. B.Snell Jr. right guard to CLE 16 for 4 yards (S.Takitaki).
+7 YD
2 & 6 - PIT 16
(1:07 - 3rd) D.Hodges pass short right to N.Vannett pushed ob at CLE 9 for 7 yards (S.Takitaki).
+2 YD
1 & 9 - PIT 9
(0:31 - 3rd) B.Snell Jr. left guard to CLE 7 for 2 yards (B.Bryant S.Richardson).
+4 YD
2 & 7 - PIT 7
(15:00 - 4th) D.Hodges right guard to CLE 3 for 4 yards (E.Ankou; T.Carrie).
-8 YD
3 & 3 - PIT 3
(14:18 - 4th) D.Hodges left end to CLE 11 for -8 yards (M.Wilson). FUMBLES (M.Wilson) ball out of bounds at CLE 11.
Field Goal
4 & 11 - PIT 11
(13:51 - 4th) C.Boswell 29 yard field goal is GOOD Center-K.Canaday Holder-J.Berry.
(7:18 - 4th) B.Mayfield pass incomplete deep left to J.Landry (M.Hilton).
No Gain
2 & 10 - CLE 30
(7:11 - 4th) B.Mayfield pass short right to K.Hunt to PIT 30 for no gain (Te.Edmunds).
Sack
3 & 10 - CLE 30
(6:28 - 4th) B.Mayfield sacked at PIT 38 for -8 yards (J.Hargrave).
4 & 18 - CLE
(5:46 - 4th) A.Seibert punts 37 yards to PIT 1 Center-C.Hughlett downed by CLE-S.Carlson. Pittsburgh challenged the kick downed ruling and the play was Upheld. The ruling on the field stands. (Timeout #1 at 05:35.)
PITSteelers
- Punt (10 plays, 46 yards, 3:50 poss)
Result
Play
Penalty
1 & 10 - PIT 1
(5:35 - 4th) Z.Banner reported in as eligible. PENALTY on PIT-M.Feiler False Start 0 yards enforced at PIT 1 - No Play.
+11 YD
1 & 10 - PIT 1
(5:35 - 4th) B.Snell Jr. up the middle to PIT 12 for 11 yards (J.Hassell).
+4 YD
1 & 10 - PIT 12
(4:53 - 4th) B.Snell Jr. left tackle to PIT 16 for 4 yards (S.Redwine).
+1 YD
2 & 6 - PIT 16
(4:11 - 4th) J.Samuels left tackle to PIT 17 for 1 yard (M.Wilson; S.Richardson). CLE-M.Wilson was injured during the play.
+14 YD
3 & 5 - PIT 17
(3:41 - 4th) D.Hodges pass short left to D.Johnson to PIT 31 for 14 yards (S.Redwine) [B.Cox].
+4 YD
1 & 10 - PIT 31
(3:33 - 4th) Z.Banner reported in as eligible. B.Snell Jr. left guard to PIT 35 for 4 yards (L.Ogunjobi).
Penalty
2 & 6 - PIT 35
(2:51 - 4th) PENALTY on PIT-V.McDonald False Start 5 yards enforced at PIT 35 - No Play.
+5 YD
2 & 11 - PIT 30
(2:50 - 4th) B.Snell Jr. right guard to PIT 35 for 5 yards (S.Takitaki J.Schobert).
+8 YD
3 & 6 - PIT 35
(2:44 - 4th) D.Hodges pass short right to V.McDonald to PIT 43 for 8 yards (T.Carrie).
+3 YD
1 & 10 - PIT 43
(2:32 - 4th) Z.Banner reported in as eligible. B.Snell Jr. up the middle to PIT 46 for 3 yards (S.Redwine P.Gustin).
+1 YD
2 & 7 - PIT 46
(2:28 - 4th) Direct snap to J.Samuels. J.Samuels up the middle to PIT 47 for 1 yard (P.Gustin).
No Gain
3 & 6 - PIT 47
(2:00 - 4th) D.Hodges pass incomplete short right to T.Jones [S.Richardson].
Punt
4 & 6 - PIT 47
(1:52 - 4th) J.Berry punts 53 yards to end zone Center-K.Canaday Touchback.
(1:45 - 4th) B.Mayfield pass incomplete short middle to J.Landry (M.Fitzpatrick).
Penalty
2 & 10 - CLE 24
(1:41 - 4th) B.Mayfield pass incomplete short middle to K.Hunt [B.Dupree]. PENALTY on PIT-B.Dupree Roughing the Passer 15 yards enforced at CLE 20 - No Play.
+5 YD
1 & 10 - CLE 35
(1:36 - 4th) B.Mayfield pass short left to K.Hunt to CLE 40 for 5 yards (M.Barron).
Int
2 & 5 - CLE 40
(1:17 - 4th) B.Mayfield pass deep right intended for J.Landry INTERCEPTED by J.Haden at PIT 38. J.Haden to CLE 46 for 16 yards.
PITSteelers
- End of Game (2 plays, -3 yards, 1:06 poss)
Result
Play
-2 YD
1 & 10 - PIT 46
(1:06 - 4th) Z.Banner reported in as eligible. D.Hodges kneels to CLE 48 for -2 yards.
-1 YD
2 & 12 - PIT 48
(0:31 - 4th) D.Hodges kneels to CLE 49 for -1 yards.