Rookie QB Thompson-Robinson rallies Browns to a last-second win over Steelers

CLEVELAND (AP) — As Dorian Thompson-Robinson sat in the back of a golf cart swiping through text messages overwhelming his phone, wide receiver Elijah Moore slid in to an empty seat behind Cleveland’s rookie quarterback.

“I’m going to sit next to the man,” Moore said.

Thompson-Robinson laughed. A most unexpected star.

Delivering on a promise to improve in his second NFL start, Thompson-Robinson completed four straight passes on a clutch drive to set up Dustin Hopkins' 34-yard field goal with 2 seconds left that gave Cleveland a 13-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

Thompson-Robinson’s late performance rallied the Browns (7-3) just days after the team was rocked by losing franchise QB Deshaun Watson for the season with a shoulder injury.

With the crowd chanting “D-T-R!” and Watson watching from Cleveland’s sideline in sweats, Thompson-Robinson, a fifth-round pick from UCLA, calmly completed four passes for 39 yards before Hopkins put away the Steelers (6-4).

When Hopkins' kick sailed through the uprights, Thompson-Robinson squatted and was overwhelmed by emotion, needing to wipe away tears of joy.

“Yeah, man, I’m super happy,” said Thompson-Robinson, who screamed himself hoarse by barking out out plays in the huddle. “I'm glad that I can get this one for my teammates.”

It was a stunning turnaround for Thompson-Robinson, who until those final moments had done little to think he was capable of a comeback. 

His stats weren't great — 24 of 43 for 165 yards with a pick — and he had a few passes dropped, but most importantly, Thompson-Robinson only had one turnover after throwing three picks in his debut on Oct. 1.

“He came through,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. "He made some big plays throughout that drive, made big plays throughout the game. I know it wasn’t perfect at all times, but he came through when it mattered.”

The Browns have now beaten the Ravens and Steelers (6-4) in consecutive weeks for the first time in 15 tries. And Thompson-Robinson's performance, though at times ragged, has given Cleveland hope this season can still be special without Watson, who will undergo surgery this week.

For the first time this season, the Steelers lost a close one.

Pittsburgh was outgained for the 10th straight week and QB Kenny Pickett (106 yards) couldn't do much against Cleveland's top-ranked defence, which forced nine punts.

The Steelers fell to 49-15 against rookie QBs since 1970.

“We'll learn from this,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “We'll be back.”

Steelers running back Jaylen Warren was one of the few bright spots with a career-high 129 yards, including a 74-yard TD run.

Pittsburgh turned to its always reliable defence in the second half and did a nice job shutting down Thompson-Robinson until the final moments.

Cleveland took over at its own 35 with 1:18 left and the rookie QB completed passes of 15, 5, 8 and 11 yards to move the Browns to Pittsburgh's 34. The Steelers were called for a neutral zone infraction, moving the ball closer for Hopkins' winner.

But Thompson-Robinson had done the heavy lifting.

“He's a warrior,” said Browns tight end David Njoku, who had several drops. “It's not easy being in his shoes, especially being a rookie. He got the job done.”

The second half turned into a battle of the defences and field possession.

The Steelers inexplicably took Warren off the field for one series before he had two nice runs to set up Chris Boswell's 28-yard field goal that tied it at 1 with 7:40 left.

After gaining just 64 yards in the first half, the Steelers picked up 74 on their second snap of the third quarter.

Warren took a quick pitch, made a cut on the right side, stepped through cornerback Greg Newsome II's tackle attempt and outran all of Cleveland's defenders for Pittsburgh's longest play this season.

It was also the Steelers' longest run since 2014.

Garrett set the tone for Cleveland's defence, sacking Pickett on Pittsburgh's first play and dropping him in the end zone for an apparent safety. However, the officials ruled the Steelers QB's forward progress was at the 1, and Stefanski was too late in challenging the call.

Stefanski was quicker with his flag a few minutes later, getting Jerome Ford's short run from the 1 changed from a goal-line stop to a touchdown.

CHUBB BACK

Browns star running back Nick Chubb, who suffered a season-ending in Week 2 at Pittsburgh, was introduced before the game.

Chubb took a few steps out of the tunnel on crutches and acknowledged the roaring crowd. The four-time Pro Bowler had surgery on his ACL this week. The Browns expect him back at some point in the 2024 season.

FLACCO WATCH

Looking to add quarterback depth, the Browns are signing veteran Joe Flacco to their practice squad, a person familiar with the move told The Associated Press on Sunday night.

Flacco worked out for the team Friday. He will finalize his deal Monday, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the team has not announced the imminent move.

The 38-year-old Flacco will give Cleveland an experienced QB to back up Thompson-Robinson or serve as a mentor. Flacco went 17-3 in his career against the Browns when he was with Baltimore and helped the New York Jets pull off a stunning win in Cleveland last season.

The Browns also have P.J. Walker on their roster. He started two games when Watson was out.

INJURIES

Steelers: Pittsburgh's safety situation got more precarious after Elijah Riley (ankle) went out in the third quarter. The Steelers were already without safeties Minkah Fitzpatrick (hamstring) and Keanu Neal (rib).

Browns: LB Anthony Walker Jr. (hamstring) left early in the second quarter after getting hurt in punt coverage. Walker threw his helmet in frustration before walking to the locker room. ... S Rodney McLeod (biceps) got hurt in the second half and didn't return.

UP NEXT

Steelers: At Cincinnati on Nov. 26.

Browns: At Denver on Nov. 26 in the first of two straight road games.