Fake punt slowed Browns’ momentum
Steelers receiver Antonio Brown works for extra yards against Cleveland’s Buster Skrine on a 19-yard reception during the second quarter Sunday.
Steelers’ Antwon Blake is tackled by Browns cornerback Jordan Poyer (33) and defensive back K’Waun Williams.
PITTSBURGH – Given a choice to roll the dice on special teams Sunday, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin took a chance, and Browns head coach Mike Pettine took a pass.
While neither play directly affected the outcome, they certainly helped shift the momentum of Pittsburgh’s 30-27 victory at Heinz Field.
With the Steelers clearly reeling as the Browns stormed back from a 27-3 halftime deficit, Tomlin elected to run a fake punt with the game tied, 27-27.
The Steelers lined up for a punt from their own 20 on fourth-and-10 with just over nine minutes remaining. But Cleveland left gunner Antwon Blake uncovered on the outside, choosing instead to put 10 players at the line of scrimmage to rush the punt of Brad Wing.
Safety Robert Golden, who serves as the Steelers’ upback, lining up between the center and punter, took a direct snap and threw a quick pass to Blake for a 25-yard gain.
“They had been challenging us, trying to make us reduce our gunners,” said Tomlin. “They came down and we took what was given.”
While the Steelers didn’t score on the play or possession, it was significant in that, when they finally did punt, Wing pinned Cleveland at the 6.
The Browns, who scored on their previous four second-half possessions, drove to the Pittsburgh 35 before stalling. Instead of attempting a potential go-ahead field goal from 52 yards, Pettine elected to punt with 4:37 remaining.
The Browns nearly downed the ball at the 1, but while attempting to down the ball, a player came in contact with the goal line, resulting in a touchback that put the ball at the 20.
“We ended up with our shoulder on the goal line,” Pettine said. “It’s a game of inches, otherwise, you are starting at the half-foot line.”
Cleveland got just one more chance to score, but quarterback Brian Hoyer was sacked and then threw two incompletions to give the Steelers the ball back and set up Shaun Suisham’s game-winning field goal.
“We didn’t score on it, but the fake field goal seemed to give us some life and kind of changed the momentum,” said Steelers receiver Markus Wheaton.
Steelers Pro Bowl receiver Antonio Brown could be facing a fine from the NFL after being penalized for unnecessary roughness while returning a punt.
How can a punt returner draw a personal foul?
When he kicks the opposing team’s punter in the head.
In the second quarter, Brown fielded a punt at the Cleveland 35, juked several players and broke into the open with only Browns punter Spencer Lanning to beat.
Instead of going around Lanning – and he looked to have room to the outside – Brown elected to hurdle Lanning as he went low on a tackle attempt.
Brown misjudged his jump and kicked Lanning in the face, slowing down enough to be tackled from behind at the Cleveland 35.
“I had my mind made up that he was going under me,” said Brown. “I tried to go over him. (There was) no intent to hurt him. It was just a bad outcome of a play.”
Cameron Heyward, Jason Worilds and Jarvis Jones had sacks for the Steelers. … Rookie Terrance West, subbing for the injured Ben Tate (knee), had 100 yards rushing on 16 carries for Cleveland. … The Steelers are 13-1 against Cleveland at Heinz Field, including wins in the last 11. … Safety Shamarko Thomas (Achilles) and running back Dri Archer (ankle) left the game for the Steelers and did not return. Tomlin said they will be evaluated today. … Brown moved past Plaxico Burress (264) into eighth place on the Steelers’ all-time receiving list. He now has 266 career receptions.