Browns’ late field goal spoils Aaron Rodgers’ Thursday night finale, seals Cleveland's third straight win
Browns edge Steelers, giving Aaron Rodgers’ farewell game a bittersweet finish
CLEVELAND, Oct. 6 — In what was billed as Aaron Rodgers’ final Thursday‑night showdown, the Cleveland Browns outplayed the Pittsburgh Steelers 27‑24 to keep their early‑season surge alive and push the veteran quarterback’s farewell tour a step farther away from the record‑tying win he was chasing.
Rodgers, who entered the game 13‑7 in Thursday night contests, finished with 299 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. He was left 13‑8 after the loss, a mark that still sits behind the 14‑win streak of Hall‑of‑Famer Tom Brady. “I just suck it up for those three hours and then know you get a reward on the back end,” Rodgers told reporters before kickoff. “I think it’s part of the game now because of the money that’s in it. I think I’m just excited about the weekend.”
The game, the 150th all‑time meeting of the two AFC North rivals who sit only 135 miles apart, saw the Steelers’ 0‑10 road record against division opponents extend to 0‑11 in such games. Pittsburgh’s head coach Mike McCarthy, who is 11‑5 on Thursday nights, fell short of a win in his fourth of the last five games.
The Browns, who entered Week 4 with a 2‑1 record for the first time since 2023, capitalized on their early momentum. Deshaun Watson, a candidate for the league’s most improbable comeback story, threw for 268 yards and a touchdown, moving Cleveland into first place in the AFC North.
The game’s dramatic finish began with a late Steelers rally. With the score tied 24‑24, Pittsburgh’s eight‑play, 80‑yard drive in the fourth quarter gave them a 27‑24 advantage. The Browns answered immediately. Over a seven‑play possession, Watson orchestrated a drive that moved the team into field‑goal range. Andre Szmyt nailed a 56‑yard kick to seal the win.
Rodgers’ two interceptions were the only thing that kept him from tying Brady’s Thursday‑night win record. He also threw three touchdown passes, but the Browns’ defense forced the crucial stops in the final minutes.
“We’re glad we were able to finish the day on a positive note,” Browns’ defensive coordinator said after the game. “The team’s playing the way we want them to and it shows.”
With extra rest before Week 5, the Browns will travel to face the New York Jets in New York City, while the Steelers will return to Heinz Field to host the Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 11.
The game underscored the growing competitiveness of the AFC North and left Rodgers’ farewell tour a little more complicated. While he remains 13‑8 on Thursday nights, his legacy as a prolific passer continues, and his fans will no doubt cherish the memories he made across the league, even if the final chapter in Pittsburgh didn’t go as he envisioned.