CLEVELAND, Ohio – Scribbles in my notebook as the Browns lead the Steelers 10-6 at halftime:
1. Entering the game, Pittsburgh ranked 30th defending the pass. The Browns decided to let Shedeur Sanders throw the ball, especially because the Steelers were playing a very soft zone coverage. Nor did Pittsburgh generate much pass rush.
2. Sanders responded by completing 12 of 17 passes for 164 yards. He also threw a TD pass and had an interception. Sanders looked poised in the pocket and confident.
3. Sanders had a terrific first quarter, especially on their 86-yard TD drive. Sanders made a beautiful throw for 42 yards to Cedric Tillman. He rolled out slightly to the right and delivered a pass about 30 yards in the air – right on target. Later on the drive, he connected with Harold Fannin Jr. for a 28-yard TD. That pass was slightly underthrown, but Fannin came back to make the catch.
4. Sanders also connected with backup tight end Brenden Bates for a 19-yard gain. It was another excellent throw right on target.
5. Fannin left the game after his TD catch. He had been dealing with a groin injury for a while, and he aggravated it on that play for a TD.
6. Jerry Jeudy had a strong first half with five receptions for 54 yards.
7. Pittsburgh’s first points came on a Chris Boswell field goal from 44 yards. The Browns had Pittsburgh stopped on its own 25-yard line. But Cleveland’s Rayshawn Jenkins was flagged for taunting. That gave the Steelers a first down and new life. Pittsburgh ended up settling for the field goal.
8. Andre Szmyt booted a 50-yard field goal in the first quarter. Remember when Szmyt missed a 36-yard field goal and extra point in the season-opening 17-16 loss to the Bengals? It appeared his days with the Browns would be few. Now, the rookie has been one of the team’s most consistent players. He is 21 for 24 on field goals this season. He also is 4 for 5 from at least 50 yards.
9. In the second quarter, the Browns had the ball on the Pittsburgh 33-yard line. It was fourth and 6. Coach Kevin Stefanski decided to skip the 50-yard field goal attempt. It was at the other end of the field – away from the Dawg Pound where Szmyt had kicked the field goal in the first quarter. Wind is an issue. The Browns failed to convert on a fourth-down play.
