In the match that opens the twelfth day of the NFL, the Steelers were beaten 24-19. Chubb’s touchdown was decisive with 57″ left
Here we go again. The Cleveland Browns are comfortable in the spoilsport role, they play it to perfection. Their season is compromised, but they find a way to complicate that of their Division rivals, AFC North. On Thursday Night which opens the twelfth NFL day, the Pittsburgh Steelers fold under a suggestive snowfall, beaten in a sprint 24-19. The historic rivals brought an 8-2 record to Huntington Bank Field, yet they fell to the Browns as had already happened to the ambitious Baltimore. The Steelers show character in a constantly chasing challenge, but the attack once again proves inadequate even on the evening in which Russell Wilson shows off his best performance of the season. Indeed, the entry from the bench of Justin Fields, employed at Taysom Hill, for a third down with the result in the balance, turns out to be a boomerang for Coach Tomlin. Thus the pride of the Browns is rewarded, the faith of the fans who fill the stadium, in the cold, despite having no longer term goals than beating the opponent of the moment.
Chubb wins it
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The perseverance of the Browns running back, Nick Chubb, was also rewarded, as he was able to return as a protagonist after a serious injury and scored the winning touchdown, his second of the evening, with 57″ remaining. It doesn’t change the team’s prospects, the 3-8 record is condemned by the Supreme Court, but it has the flavor of a story with a happy ending. Like that of Jameis Winston, who does and undoes, inspired and bungling every few seconds, unpredictable, but certainly better than the injured and twilight Watson, whose place he took. With Winston you have fun, at least. Then the defense and Chubb take care of closing the score.
unfinished Pittsburgh
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After a first half with zero touchdowns and zero scorecards, the Steelers had turned it around, after all. Ahead in scoring thanks to 270 yards thrown by Wilson and a couple of steals by the defense. But the attack takes hold at the best moment. The unfortunate choices of Coach Tomlin and Fields and a clumsy punt by Waitman ruin everything. Pittsburgh has a complicated schedule ahead, they will need a better version to make the season last long.
the match
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10-3 Cleveland at halftime. Chubb with the only touchdown. Three sacks by Myles Garrett, TJ Watt left empty-handed. Sixth game of the season without a try for Pittsburgh in the first half. The Steelers close the gap with Boswell’s kick to 6-10, the score at the end of the 3rd quarter. Winston runs into the end zone at the start of the 4th period and seems to close the game: 18-6 after the 2-point conversion. However, it’s not over. Jaylen Warren closes the gap with a rushing touchdown, then the Steelers’ only sack, by Nick Herbig, changes everything. Because Winston commits a fumble, recovered on the opponent’s 27 yards. Wilson takes the opportunity: launch from 23 yards for Calvin Austin’s touchdown, to overtake: 19-18. Donte Jackson intercepts Winston, completes the turnaround. But a disaster from Fields, who from time to time comes in to try to spice up the Steelers’ attack and who this time throws long and inaccurately with a short 3rd down to close, and a punt from just 16 yards returns the the half-court oval at the Browns. They convert on 4th down for the fourth time out of four attempts and Chubb scores the touchdown to make it 24-19. Pittsburgh’s attack then reaches the opponent’s 35 yards, but the Hail Mary pass – Wilson’s prayer – falls incomplete in the end zone. Cleveland wins.
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