Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward intercepted Aaron Rodgers on Thursday night and invited the Pittsburgh quarterback to keep testing him after a 27-24 victory at Huntington Bank Field.
The pick came early in the second quarter on a pass intended for Michael Pittman Jr. Cleveland took over at its own 44-yard line. Four plays later, Jaleel McLaughlin scored on a 28-yard run to tie the game at seven.
Pittsburgh had led 7-0 after a first quarter touchdown. The Steelers had run 20 plays to Cleveland’s seven before the turnover. Ward’s interception flipped the momentum.
The Browns scored 21 points in the second quarter and led 21-10 at halftime. Chris Boswell’s field goal as the half expired was Pittsburgh’s only other points before the break.
Ward threw a jab at Rodgers following the game.
“I hope (Aaron Rodgers) keeps throwing at me.”
He also credited the quarterback he beat.
“That’s amazing, being able to do that on a Hall of Fame player, Hall of Fame quarterback,” Ward said. “Give him all his respect after the game and let him know that he’s a great player.”
The interception was Ward’s first of the season and his first against Pittsburgh since his rookie year.
“The last time I had a pick against Pittsburgh was in my rookie year, against Ben Roethlisberger,” Ward said. “It’s fun to be able to pick both those type of quarterbacks off.”
In his 2018 debut, the No. 4 overall pick out of Ohio State intercepted Roethlisberger twice and broke up three passes in a 21-21 tie. Eight years later, he added another takeaway against a decorated Steelers quarterback.
Ward has five Pro Bowl selections. Opposing quarterbacks often avoid him. Rodgers did not on the throw that Pittman could not reach.
Ward also joked about the defensive plan.
“I’m going to have to talk to (DC Mike Rutenberg), all these man-to-man plays. I’m tired,” Ward said.
Rodgers finished 22 of 40 for 299 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. He threw for 154 yards and two scores in the fourth quarter as Pittsburgh erased an 11-point deficit.
Rodgers found Pat Freiermuth for a three-yard touchdown with 1:42 left, then sneaked in for the tying two-point conversion. The Steelers had trailed by 11 entering the final period.
Deshaun Watson answered. He completed 24 of 33 passes for 268 yards and a touchdown. Andre Szmyt kicked a career-long 56-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining for the winning points.
Safety Grant Delpit intercepted Rodgers’ final pass with one second left to end the game. Cleveland sacked Rodgers five times. Ward and Delpit each had an interception.
Jaylen Warren had 126 yards from scrimmage for Pittsburgh, including 93 rushing. DK Metcalf caught five passes for 115 yards. Roman Wilson, Darnell Washington and Freiermuth scored the Steelers’ touchdowns.
The Browns improved to 3-1, their first 3-1 start since 2021, and won a third straight game. Pittsburgh fell to 2-2.
Cleveland next visits the New York Jets on Oct. 11. The teams meet again Nov. 1 in Pittsburgh.
