Plays of the Year: Austin grabs go-ahead TD against Browns
Steel City Underground presents “Plays of the Year” featuring the top runs, catches, hits and everything else in-between from the Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 season.
It was near-whiteout conditions in Cleveland on Thursday Night Football in Week 12. The Steelers trailed the Browns 13-18 in the fourth quarter, following another disappointing first half of offensive play. However, shortly after a strip-sack recovery, Pittsburgh scored the go-ahead touchdown that definitively got them within minutes of a comeback win.
With 7:10 left on the game clock, the Browns lined up on 2nd & 9 from their own 25 with Jameis Winston in the shotgun. With snow falling heavily, outside linebacker Nick Herbig was able to beat the outside block and strip the ball out as he made the sack on his birthday. DeShon Elliott recovered the fumble.
The Steelers offense took over within striking distance of the end zone. On 3rd & 6 from the Cleveland 23, Russell Wilson took the snap from shotgun and saw Calvin Austin streaking towards the end zone. Despite low visibility and less than ideal conditions, Wilson threw a perfect, deep touch pass that cleared defenders and made it easy for Austin to secure the pass in stride for a 23-yard touchdown strike to move the Steelers to a 19-18 lead.
.@DangeRussWilson
@CalvinAustinIII for six!!!!
Stream on NFL+: https://t.co/COxKRnr6Mc pic.twitter.com/ucLP4kE2cM
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 22, 2024
Pittsburgh’s two-point attempt was thwarted when a pass to Cordarrelle Patterson fell incomplete. That left the final minutes up to the Steelers’ defense to earn the stop. Unfortunately, the Browns were able to get into the end zone two series later to win, 24-19, and end the Steelers’ four-game win streak.
