Brawl mars Browns’ victory
The Cleveland Browns kept fighting long after the outcome had been decided, and it likely will cost them their best defensive player.
Browns defensive end Myles Garrett ripped off Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Rudolph’s helmet and hit him in the head with it in the final seconds as the Browns’ 217 win over the visiting Steelers on Thursday night ended with a wild brawl between the rivals.
Garrett faces a likely suspension for his actions, and Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey will likely be disciplined for kicking Garrett in the head.
Players from both sidelines spilled onto the field during the wild melee, which began after Garrett wrestled Rudolph to the ground after he threw the ball on a meaningless play with the outcome decided. Garrett, Pouncey and Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi were ejected.
Rudolph got his hand on Garrett’s helmet first as the players wrestled on the ground, but Garrett escalated the brawl after he got back on his feet. He yanked the helmet off Rudolph and swung wildly, hitting the quarterback on the top of the head. Rudolph threw his arms in the air in disbelief after the impact.
“The reality is he’s going to get suspended, we don’t know how long, and that’s going to hurt our team,” Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield said immediately after the game.
Before the ugly ending, Mayfield threw two touchdown passes and scored on a 1yard plunge as Cleveland (46) held on to defeat the bangedup Steelers (55) for just the fourth time in 10 years and improved to 20 in the AFC North for the first time.
Pittsburgh lost its top two playmakers as running back James Conner (shoulder) and wide receiver JuJu SmithSchuster (concussion) suffered injuries in the second quarter and didn’t return.
Without them, Rudolph didn’t have enough help and threw four interceptions.
Browns running back Nick Chubb had 92 yards and went over 1,000 for the season.
Hours before Thursday night’s game, the Browns gave up on Antonio Callaway, releasing him as he faces a possible 10game league suspension for another drug violation.
Investigation: Washington says it is aware of an investigation involving safety Montae Nicholson and is cooperating with authorities.
The Loudoun County, Va., Sheriff ’s office is investigating the death of a 21yearold woman who was dropped off at a hospital by two men. TMZ reported that one of those men was Nicholson.