Shaun Suisham scored a winning field goal as time expired to give the Pittsburgh Steelers a dramatic 30-27 victory over the Cleveland Browns in their season opener at Heinz Field this evening.
The hosts took a 24-point lead into the halfway stage against their NFC North rivals, but a stirring second-half comeback from Cleveland almost saw the visitors clinch the win in Mike Pettine's first match in charge.
The Steelers took the lead on their first drive as Suisham knocked over a field goal after seeing his side have a touchdown nullified, but their three-point advantage was soon wiped out by a 39-yard kick from Billy Cundiff.
Pittsburgh regained the lead in the closing stages of the first quarter as LeGarrette Blount powered his way into the endzone from seven yards.
The hosts began to pull away in the second quarter, with Ben Roethlisberger escaping the clutches of the Browns defence before throwing a fine 35-yard pass to Antonio Brown for another touchdown.
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A third score soon followed, and this time it was courtesy of individual play from Le'Veon Bell, who danced between a number of tackles on his way to a 38-yard touchdown.
Suisham increased the difference to 24 points at half time with a late field goal, but Cleveland set about destroying that advantage after the interval.
Undrafted rookie Isaiah Crowell led the way for his side, bursting over from three yards early in the third quarter to give his side a first touchdown of the new campaign.
That was quickly followed by a second as the debutant doubled his personal tally with a lightning 15-yard break through the middle of the Steelers' defence.
Cundiff added a field goal early in the fourth quarter before the Browns drew level shortly afterwards as Brian Hoyer found Travis Benjamin at the back of the endzone for a nine-yard touchdown.
There was to be heartbreak for the visitors, however, as Suisham slotted over a 41-yard field goal in the dying stages to clinch a dramatic victory.
Barney Corkhill
