The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Steelers block Browns in the season opener
Brown’s catch in final minutes helps Pittsburgh hold off Cleveland’s late rally
For Pittsburgh’s first road game, Antonio Brown wore a bow tie and purple and black suit embroidered with fire-breathing gold dragons. He completed his outlandish outfit with ruby redsequined sneakers.
The flashy look was both dazzling and jaw-dropping — just like Brown’s game.
The All-Pro wide receiver made a crucial, leaping catch with less than three minutes left and Ben Roethlisberger threw two touchdown passes to tight end Jesse James as the Steelers, with minimal help from Le’Veon Bell, opened the season by holding off the Browns 21-18 on Sept. 10.
Roethlisberger improved to 21-2 in his career against the Browns, who led by rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer gave their rivals all they could handle — a positive sign for coach Hue Jackson and Cleveland fans after a horrid 1-15 season.
But the Browns couldn’t stop Brown. With the Steelers clinging to their 3-point lead, he somehow caught and held onto Roethlisberger’s throw in traffic for a 38-yard gain with 2:26 left to seal Pittsburgh’s win.
Brown finished with 11 receptions for 182 yards.
“I’ve watched him make unbelievable plays like that from the stands,” said Steelers rookie running back James Conner, who played at Pitt and grew up rooting for Pittsburgh. “So to be out there with him when he does it is crazy. He’s an amazing football player.”
Kizer, who ran for a TD and threw a scoring a scoring in an impressive debut, had pulled the Browns within three on a 3-yard TD pass to Corey Coleman followed by a 2-point conversion with 3:36 left.
With Pittsburgh needing a big play, Brown delivered one — as usual.
Roethlisberger rolled left to buy some time and lobbed his deep pass near Pittsburgh’s sideline toward Brown, who went up over defensive back Jason McCourty and hauled in the game’s biggest catch. Jackson challenged the call, but it held up after a video review and the Steelers improved to 32-6 against the Browns since 1999.
“It’s not our first rodeo,” said Roethlisberger, who passes for 263 yards. “I see AB go and I’m going to take that shot. I’ve got all the trust in the world in him, he’s got it in me. I don’t think there are any two guys who have worked together more than him and I do.