Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers Match Player Stats On Nov 15, 2015

The Sports Xchange
Nov 15, 2015

PITTSBURGH -- That backup quarterback for the Steelers just might have a future in the NFL.

Ben Roethlisberger, who did not start because of a sprained left foot, entered the game early in the first quarter when starter Landry Jones was injured and led the Steelers to a 30-9 victory over the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field.

Roethlisberger was 22 for 33 for 379 yards and three touchdowns. He threw for 286 yards and two touchdowns in the first half alone.

Wide receiver Antonio Brown had 10 catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns and receiver Martavis Bryant had six catches for 178 yards and a touchdown.

Quarterback Johnny Manziel started a second consecutive game for the Browns because starter Josh McCown was inactive with a rib injury. He was 33 for 45 for 372 yards, but he did not lead the Browns to a touchdown until 12:28 remained in the game. He also was intercepted and lost a fumble.

Jones was injured five minutes into the game when right tackle Marcus Gilbert stepped on his left ankle after he threw an incomplete pass on third down at the Cleveland 6-yard line. Chris Boswell came on to kick a 24-yard field goal to give the Steelers a 3-0 lead.

After the Browns tied the score on their next drive, Roethlisberger entered the game. He led the Steelers to a field goal on his first drive and then two touchdowns in the second quarter.

Roethlisberger threw a 4-yard touchdown to Brown with 3:27 left in the second quarter. Brown also caught the two-point conversion for a 14-3 lead.

The Steelers got the ball back with 1:05 remaining in the half. After a 20-yard pass to Brown that set the Steelers up at the Cleveland 32-yard line, Roethlisberger then threw a 32-yard touchdown to Bryant with 37 seconds remaining to give the Steelers a 21-3 lead.

Roethlisberger was injured last week when Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith fell on his foot after he sacked him. Roethlisberger practiced only on a limited basis on Thursday and Friday, but the Steelers decided to make him active for the game instead of third-string quarterback Mike Vick.

In the second half, Roethlisberger tossed a 56-yard touchdown pass to Brown after Manziel threw a 7-yard touchdown to tight end Gary Barndige.

NOTES: Roethlisberger's 286 passing yards in the first half were the second-most in his career. He threw for 320 in the first half of a game against Indianapolis last season. ... The Steelers had six sacks, marking the third time this season they've had five or more sacks in a game. ... Steelers safety Mike Mitchell recorded his team-leading third interception of the season in the fourth quarter.