Ben Roethlisberger tossed for 263 yards and two touchdowns to tight end Jesse James as the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Cleveland Browns, 21-18, in their season-opener Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium. Roethlisberger completed 24 of 36 passes with an interception to finish with a 95.0 passer rating as he continued his mastery over the Browns, improving to 21-2 against Cleveland in his career.
Wide receiver Antonio Brown caught 11 passes for 182 yards, James received six throws for 41 yards and two scores while Le'Veon Bell carried the ball 10 times for 32 yards for the Steelers, who tallied 290 total yards and won despite incurring 13 penalties for 144 yards.
Rookie pass-rusher T.J. Watt led the Steelers’ defense, tallying seven tackles with two sacks and an interception.
"We found a way today. Special teams early in the game was huge for us -- the first touchdown of the season. Usually when you're blocking a punt you're winning the game,” Bell said after the game.
DeShone Kizer accounts for 2 touchdowns
Rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer completed 20 of 30 passes for 222 yards and a touchdown with an interception and ran five times for 17 yards and a score for the Browns, who slipped to 1-17 since 1999, losing three times to the Steelers during that span.
Despite the loss, Browns coach Hue Jackson said he’s encouraged by what he saw from Kizer. "I like DeShone," said Jackson said.
"I like the feel of him on the sideline with me. I love our communication. He did some good things.” Isaiah Crowell ran 17 times for 33 yards while Corey Coleman caught five passes for 53 yards and a touchdown for the Browns.
Steelers returned punt for TD
Anthony Chickillo returned a blocked punt for a touchdown, putting the Steelers ahead early in the first period.
However, Kizer capped a 12-play, 68-yard attack with a one-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7-7. In the second, Roethlisberger sparked a 7-play, 91-yard drive that he ended with a four-yard touchdown pass to James for a 14-7 lead at the break. In the third, Zane Gonzalez buried a 24-yard field goal to bring the Browns to within 14-10 but Roethlisberger found James anew for his second touchdown pass of the game after a six-play, 75-yard drive for a 21-10 lead. Late in the fourth, Kizer led an eight-play, 73-yard drive that he ended with a three-yard touchdown pass to Coleman. Crowell ran to the end zone to complete a two-point attempt for the final tally.
