The Cleveland Browns played spoiler to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17, defeating their rivals 13-6 and preventing them from clinching their first division title since 2020. The Steelers' offense was completely anemic until their final drive. Aaron Rodgers connected with Pat Freiermuth on multiple throws to get the Steelers into the red zone, but Pittsburgh would fail to reach the end zone.
With the game on the line, Rodgers targeted Marquez Valdes-Scantling on three consecutive plays, all of which fell incomplete in the end zone. This led to a turnover on downs and the Browns were able to kneel out the win.
After the game, Denzel Ward had some thoughts on the play-calling by the Steelers, who targeted him on each of those three passes on their final drive.
“I don’t know whose bright idea it was to try me for the game on three plays in a row," Ward said via Ashley Bastock.
Ward prevented a touchdown on three straight plays, including tight coverage on the fourth-down jump ball.
The Browns have now eclipsed their win total from 2024, albeit by one game, and their defense was terrific throughout the contest. They will close out their season next week against the Cincinnati Bengals.
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