Browns vs. Steelers score, takeaways: Rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson leads Cleveland's game-winning drive

The Browns made the big plays when it mattered and won it at the end

CLEVELAND -- In his first NFL start, Dorian Thompson-Robinson engineered a game-winning drive to lead the Browns to a 13-10 win over the rival Steelers. The win moves the Browns to 7-3 and drops the Steelers to 6-4. 

Cleveland's rookie quarterback, starting in place of the injured Deshaun Watson, stepped up on the game's final drive by completing passes to Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore and David Njoku that set up Dustin Hopkins' second game-winning field goal in as many weeks. 

The Browns led 10-0 at halftime on the strength of a dominant defensive performance that included Myles Garrett's sack of Kenny Pickett that nearly resulted in a safety. The sack helped set up Jerome Ford's short touchdown run on the Browns' ensuing drive. Cleveland extended its lead just before halftime on a short Dustin Hopkins field goal. 

Jaylen Warren jump-started Pittsburgh's comeback with a nifty 74-yard touchdown run on the second play of the second half. More strong runs by Warren set up Chris Boswell's game-tying field goal midway through the fourth quarter. 

But Pittsburgh was unable to take the lead despite several big stops by its defense. A non-existent passing game was a major reason why the Steelers dropped their first game this season against a divisional opponent. Pickett finished 15 of 28 for 106 yards in the losing effort.

Here's a closer look at what transpired in Cleveland. 

Why the Browns won

Cleveland took an early lead, never relinquished it and put together the game-winning drive in the final two minutes. While he was bogged down for most of the second half, Thompson-Robinson let it loose on the last drive and the Browns were better off for it. His last big throw, an 11-yard gain to Njoku, set up Hopkins' game-winning kick with two seconds left. 

Defensively, the Browns didn't allow Pickett to complete any deep passes downfield. The Browns' pass rush also received another big game from Garrett, who recorded two sacks while continuing his Defensive Player of the Year push. 

Why the Steelers lost 

Pittsburgh had a big game on the ground, and its defense played well for most of the game until the final drive. But the Steelers lost the field position battle and couldn't get anything going via the pass. Pittsburgh also had several miscommunication errors that led to ill advised timeouts. 

In defeat, the Steelers received another big game from Warren, who recorded his second 100-yard rushing performance in as many outings. 

Turning point 

The Steelers appeared to be on the verge of completing their comeback after Pickett hit George Pickens for a 12-yard gain to get to the Browns' 40-yard-line with 5:47 left. But the Steelers' offense went backwards from there; Pickett threw an incompletion on first down, Najee Harris was stuffed for a five-yard loss on second down and Pickett checked down to Warren for two yards on third down. 

Instead of a potential game-winning field goal attempt, the Steelers punted, then watched as the Browns engineered a game-winning drive several minutes later. 

Play of the game 

The turning point was late, but the game's best play took place early on Garrett's devastating sack of Pickett. The sack set the tone for the game while setting up Cleveland's go-ahead score. 

What's next 

The Steelers will be back in Ohio next Sunday when they face the Bengals. Cincinnati (5-5) will be without Joe Burrow for the rest of the year after the Pro Bowl quarterback injured his wrist in last Thursday's loss to Baltimore. 

Cleveland will travel to Denver to face the Broncos, who have started to pick up momentum under Sean Payton in recent weeks. 

[Nov 19, 2023 at 4:11 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Browns prevail, 13-10. 

[Nov 19, 2023 at 4:06 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Hopkins makes the kick, and the Browns lead with two seconds left. 

[Nov 19, 2023 at 3:57 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Pickett really struggling today. He has guys open. He's waiting too long to throw the ball and is throwing inaccurate passes. 

Steelers punt and the Browns once again have a chance to win the game. 

[Nov 19, 2023 at 3:55 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Browns force to punt after the passing game sputters again. 

Calvin Austin with a nice return, and the Steelers will start on their own 30 with 1:42 left. 

[Nov 19, 2023 at 3:52 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Browns facing a third down at the two-minute warning. 

By the way, Elandon Roberts has 15 tackles. 

[Nov 19, 2023 at 3:51 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Great hurdle by Hunt helps him pick up 16 for a much-needed first down for Cleveland. 

[Nov 19, 2023 at 3:49 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Steelers have to take another ill advised time out, so they only have one remaining. 

[Nov 19, 2023 at 3:48 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Steelers play it safe again on third down, with a check down to Warren. Pittsburgh punts instead of attempting a 60-yard FG. 

Proche takes a fair catch at his own 14. 

[Nov 19, 2023 at 3:43 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Bad punt gives the Steelers the ball at their own 47 to start the drive. They're less than 20 yards away from FG range. 

[Nov 19, 2023 at 3:42 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

TJ Watt's sack forces the Browns to punt. So the Steelers will get the ball with a chance to win the game. 

[Nov 19, 2023 at 3:40 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Browns just committed their first penalty, and it wipes out a completion from Thompson-Robinson to Harrison Bryant. 

[Nov 19, 2023 at 3:39 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Here's a look at Warren's run that set up the FG. 

[Nov 19, 2023 at 3:38 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Well, we've got a classic AFC North battle on our hands. A tied game with half a quarter to play. 

Browns' offense has done nothing this half. A big reason why is the Browns haven't been able to set up the pass with the run, so Thompson-Robinson has faced more pressure in obvious passing situations. 

[Nov 19, 2023 at 3:35 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Harris with a nice run on a third down draw, but Steelers short of the first down. 

Boswell connects, and it's a tie game with half a quarter to play. 

[Nov 19, 2023 at 3:34 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Pickett swallowed up by Garrett, who gets his second sack. Even with the sack, Steelers still in FG range. 

[Nov 19, 2023 at 3:33 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Jaylen Warren is taking this game over. Punishing run down the middle gets Pittsburgh in the red zone. 

[Nov 19, 2023 at 3:31 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Warren with an incredible run. Broke a tackle, literally stood still for a second, threw a stiff arm and gets the Steelers in field goal range. 

[Nov 19, 2023 at 3:30 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Pickett took a shot by Garrett, but he is able to get the pass off to Johnson for a first down. 

Classy move by Garrett helping Pickett up afterwords. 

[Nov 19, 2023 at 3:29 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Diontae Johnson just caught his first pass one minute into the fourth quarter. 

[Nov 19, 2023 at 3:28 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Warren catches Pickett's short pass and gets enough for a first down. He's incredibly hard to tackle in the open field. 

[Nov 19, 2023 at 3:26 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Here's Sullivan's pick that prevented the Browns from attempting a FG late in the third. 

[Nov 19, 2023 at 3:23 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Browns take a 10-7 lead into the fourth quarter despite having just 23 total yards in the third quarter. 

Browns will punt to open the fourth after David Njoku's drop on third down. 

[Nov 19, 2023 at 3:21 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Bad punt gives the Browns the ball on the Steelers' 45. 

A 20-yard punt for Harvin. Hit it off the side of his foot. 

[Nov 19, 2023 at 3:20 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Pickett had Allen Robinson wide open but instead throws off target to Johnson. 

Steelers punt after getting the game's first turnover. 

[Nov 19, 2023 at 3:18 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Consecutive negative plays for Browns offense, the first was a great play by Cam Heyward shielding the block and tackling Hunt for a loss. 

Steelers get the game's first TO on the third down. TR's pass was tipped by Amari Cooper and picked by Chandon Sullivan. Steelers to start with the ball at their own 23. 

[Nov 19, 2023 at 3:15 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Browns are in FG range. 

[Nov 19, 2023 at 3:15 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Incomplete pass on third down, but Steelers are going to be flagged for roughing the passer. Penalty was on Alex Highsmith, and it's a good call. Highsmith hit him with the crown of his helmet. 

[Nov 19, 2023 at 3:13 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Nice return by James Proche gives the Browns the ball in Steelers territory. Cleveland has had a major field position advantage. 

[Nov 19, 2023 at 3:12 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Steelers have to punt again after Browns snuffed out Pittsburgh's screen attempt. Steelers haven't taken any downfield shots today. 

[Nov 19, 2023 at 3:10 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Browns lose challenge, Steelers retain possession and have a first down on their own 30.