This is the backstory to one of the great moments of Week 1, the Pittsburgh Steelers' response to a frantic second-half rally by the Cleveland Browns. The Steelers' dramatic win, as well as the Philadelphia Eagles' come-from-behind win over the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Miami Dolphins' denial of the New England Patriots are nominees for the GMC Never Say Never Moment of the week. Cast your vote for the GMC Never Say Never Moments of Week 1.
Once upon a time, Cleveland Browns-Pittsburgh Steelers was one of the NFL's greatest rivalries. The fact that the teams were separated by less than 150 miles and had a long-time connection in the AFC North (and AFC Central before that) perpetuated the regional fervor. However, since returning from their hiatus in 1999, the Browns have an abysmal 5-27 record against their rivals. During that run, the Steelers finally evened up their all-time record against the Browns and now hold a 68-57 edge in the rivalry that dates back to 1950, thanks to Week 1's dramatic victory.
Perhaps the Browns' unexpected second-half rally will spark this rivalry back to its historic glory.
Here are the key moments before the moment:
Steelers clearly in control early
The play: Running back Le'Veon Bell tears through the Browns defense for a 38-yard touchdown.
The aftermath: The run gave the Steelers a 24-3 lead on the Browns, who looked overmatched and completely overwhelmed by the steamrolling Steelers. That score followed up a touchdown pass by Ben Roethlisberger to Antonio Brown and a LeGarrette Blount touchdown run as Pittsburgh built a seemingly insurmountable lead.
Browns surge back in second half
The play:Browns running back Isaiah Crowell scores on 15-yard touchdown run.
The aftermath: Crowell, an undrafted rookie free agent pickup for Cleveland, had a stellar NFL debut. The 15-yard score represented his second touchdown of the game and trimmed the Steelers' lead to 27-17. Crowell became the first Browns running back with two or more touchdowns against the Steelers since Tim Manoa in 1989 (that performance also happened on an opening day in Pittsburgh, when the Browns dropped a 51-0 dump trucking on the Steelers).
Browns' epic comeback is complete
The play:Browns quarterback connects with receiver Travis Benjamin for a 9-yard touchdown play.
The aftermath: Hoyer appeared to be engineering one of the unlikeliest of upsets. Thrust into a training camp-long competition with first-round pick Johnny Manziel, Hoyer won the starting job basically by default after a lackluster preseason performance for both passers. When the team went down 27-3, a good number of casual observers had to wonder when Johnny JamBoogie would hit the field. That was never an option for first-year Browns coach Mike Pettine, who -- to his credit -- stuck to his guns and kept the well-traveled Hoyer in the game after promising him that he wouldn't have to look over his shoulder to see if No. 2 was warming up on the sidelines.
Steelers turn the tide
The play: Facing fourth-and-10 situation at their own 20-yard line, the Steelers' punt formation upman Robert Golden tossed a pass to Antwon Blake for a 25-yard gain and a first down.
The aftermath: Looking to recapture the momentum lost by the Browns' inspired second-half comeback, the Steelers dug deep into the ye olde bag of tricks. The gamble didn't result in a score, but did turn the tide of the game. Forced to start from their own 6-yard line, the Browns' next possession stalled at the Steelers' 40-yard line. After both teams failed to score on additional possessions, the stage was set for some more late-game Roethlisberger magic.
The moment
The play:Shaun Suisham booted a 41-yard game-winning field goal as the clock ran out.
The aftermath: Roethlisberger completed three consecutive passes for 33 yards to put the Steelers into position for the winning kick. Roethlisberger finished the game with 365 yards passing and one touchdown. More importantly as far as the Steelers' longtime rivalry with the Browns was concerned, Roethlisberger improved to an astonishing 18-1 as a starter against Cleveland.
The Browns, meanwhile, dropped an NFL-record 10th consecutive season opener (beating the Philadelphia Eagles' run from 1968-1976). This performance might have served notice that the gap in what has been a decidedly one-sided rivalry is closing. The Browns managed to pull off their comeback without suspended wide receiver Josh Gordon, and running back Ben Tate and tight end Jordan Cameron -- who were both injured earlier in the game. Rookie running back Terrance West ran for 100 yards. Between West, Crowell (32 yards) and Tate (41 yards), the Browns rushed for 183 yards, the most for the Browns against the Steelers since 1972 when Pro Football Hall of FamerLeroy Kelly and Bo Scott helped the Browns gain 217 yards in a 26-24 win.
Follow Jim Reineking on Twitter @jimreineking.
