Big-man interception sparks Pittsburgh as Steelers avenge loss to Browns, 27-14

When Acrisure Stadium cranks up Renegade by Styx, there isn’t a more electric sight in the league. A Steelers nose tackle picking off a pass against the rival Browns in a 27-14 win might be a close second.

“Definitely, especially having a big man get an interception,” said 6-foot-3, 309-pound nose tackle Keanu Benton, who registered his first career interception. “We are an energy-feeding group. I think we got energy out of that.”

Benton set up Pittsburgh at the Cleveland 31-yard line and, five plays later, Najee Harris punched in a 1-yard touchdown to give the Steelers a 10-7 lead. The Steelers (10-3) never looked back, growing their advantage to 27-7 until the Browns managed to score again. Afterward, head coach Mike Tomlin said Benton’s interception was pivotal.

“Sometimes when you’re struggling a little bit to gain some traction, the short field will get you going,” said Tomlin, whose team has won seven of its last eight. “I can’t say enough about that play. He is a young guy that’s evolving and evolving in a big way. I just think that play is an example of it.”

Other than a muffed punt by Kadarius Toney, two missed field goals by Dustin Hopkins and two Steelers interceptions, including a game-sealing pick by Juan Pierre, Cleveland dominated the game statistically. The Browns outgained Pittsburgh, 300-267 and registered more first downs (20 to 15). They got a good start, too, when Jameis Winston fired a 35-yard touchdown to Jerry Jeudy to give the Browns a 7-3 first-quarter lead. But Russell Wilson – playing without surprise scratch George Pickens — threw touchdown passes to Pat Freiermuth and Van Jefferson to prevent the Steelers’ first season sweep at the hands of the Browns since 1988.

The Steelers also got two sacks from captain Cam Heyward, his 13^th career game with two-or-more sacks and second this season.

Now, Pittsburgh faces a frightening four-game stretch to close the regular season, beginning with Philadelphia (11-2) on the road next week. Then comes an AFC North rematch at Baltimore (8-5) and home games against Kansas City (11-1 entering Sunday night) and Cincinnati (4-8 entering Monday night). The Steelers own a two-game lead in the division over the Ravens.

The loss officially eliminated Cleveland (3-10) from postseason eligibility.

For more information on the Steelers and Browns, visit the Pittsburgh and Cleveland team pages at ProFootballPost.com.