Steelers vs. Browns
CLEVELAND 27 – 24 Pittsburgh
Writer: Brett Ford (@FadeThatMan)
Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers (PIT) vs. CLE: 22/40 Passing, 299 Yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
Rodgers was actually solid in this game against a very good Cleveland defense, especially in the secondary. The Steelers seemed to try and stay away from the Browns’ outside cornerbacks (unless it was a one-on-one matchup with DK Metcalf), instead targeting the nickel corners with slot receivers and tight ends… mostly tight ends, let’s be honest. Rodgers’ most impressive touchdown pass was the one where he connected with Washington. The old man escaped the pocket as it collapsed, scrambling to his right before firing across his body and connecting with the towering tight end in the end zone. Rodgers’ first pick was a concerning one, where he completely under threw Michael Pittman Jr. so badly, that it made me think MPJ ran an incorrect route. The second pick was a last-second Hail Mary that was brought in by Cleveland. Overall though, any fantasy manager desperate enough to start Rodgers as a QB2 in super flex leagues is probably pretty pleased with the outcome. Now with back-to-back games of 290+ passing and three touchdowns, Rodgers could be heading into a renaissance, especially running McCarthy’s offense which is certainly more passer-friendly than whatever Pittsburgh was running last year.
Running Back
Rico Dowdle (PIT) vs. CLE: DID NOT PLAY
Jaylen Warren (PIT) vs. CLE: 17 Carries, 93 Yards | 6 Targets, 3 Receptions, 33 Yards
With Rico Dowdle out for a second-consecutive contest, Jaylen Warren earned the elite volume and production of a bell cow running back. It’s a simple recipe for success. As long as Dowdle is out and Warren is healthy, he’s the only running back that McCarthy and Rodgers trust, meaning he’s the only one that sees the field. The Steelers offense is nothing special, but any back getting these kinds of opportunities is a clear RB1 in all fantasy formats.
Warren’s per-game stats with Dowdle out due to injury (Weeks 3-4): 17.0 carries, 110.0 rushing yards, 5.0 targets, 3.0 receptions, 36.0 receiving yards, 17.6 (PPR) fantasy points
Wide Receiver
DK Metcalf (PIT) vs. CLE: 9 Targets, 5 Receptions, 115 Yards
Look who finally decided to show up! Metcalf gained a lot of his yardage on vertical routes where he was able to slip past a defender in man coverage on the perimeter and take advantage for a big gain. Keep an eye out for Metcalf’s upcoming matchups. Any defense that plays man coverage at a higher rate seems more vulnerable to Metcalf’s skill set breaking down cover corners in 1-on-1 situations. Against zone, he’s looked slightly less effective this season.
Michael Pittman Jr. (PIT) vs. CLE: 4 Targets, 2 Receptions, 15 Yards
For the second-straight week, MPJ looked like a replacement-level cardio route-runner. It’s pretty clear that he and Rodgers don’t have the necessary chemistry to succeed in this offense, and to top that off he appeared to be in a rotation with Germie Bernard in 12 personnel sets, reducing his snaps. There were times in this game where you could see that Rodgers was very clearly frustrated, and it seemed like at least some of it was directed toward Pittman.
Roman Wilson (PIT) vs. CLE: 6 Targets, 3 Receptions, 74 Yards, TD
Wilson continued to demonstrate a rapport with Rodgers, catching a long touchdown pass for the second-consecutive game. He seems to be ascending Pittsburgh’s wide receiver depth chart as the most consistent route-runner of the bunch, and Rodgers seems to trust him enough to get him the ball. He’s a streaming option in most 12-team leagues that could turn into a potential starter during bye week chaos, especially in good matchups.
Lost in the disappointment of last night was a solid game from Roman Wilson. Wilson was the only WR who could separate from CLE’s man coverage, and his route-running continues to improve.
Here’s a beautiful vertical where he attacked the DBs leverage with his stem to win inside: pic.twitter.com/4UagNyXaNx
— Kevin Smith (@KTSmithFootball) October 2, 2026
Germie Bernard (PIT) vs. CLE: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 11 Yards
The snap share improved from Week 3, but it took a long time for Bernard to get even remotely involved in this game. The rookie wideout caught a pair of balls on the Steelers’ final offensive drive to keep the sticks moving, but did not create much separation on the outside matched up against the Browns’ tough corners.
Ben Skowronek (PIT) vs. CLE: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 7 Yards
Tight End
Darnell Washington (PIT) vs. CLE: 5 Targets, 3 Receptions, 27 Yards, TD
Pat Freiermuth (PIT) vs. CLE: 5 Targets, 3 Receptions, 17 Yards, TD
I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a team prioritize their tight end red zone usage in the way that the Steelers did against the Browns on Thursday night. Whether it was matchup-driven or something that the Steelers plan to prioritize moving forward, it was extremely encouraging for fans of Darnell Washington and Pat Freiermuth, as both found the end zone in the contest. On the Steelers game-tying touchdown drive in the final few minutes, Washington was targeted on three-consecutive designed pass plays in the end zone before finally earning a defensive penalty. The next play, Rodgers dialed up a play action slip-out pass to Freiermuth for the short-yardage score.
Cleveland Browns
Quarterback
Deshaun Watson (CLE) vs. PIT: 24/33 Passing, 268 Yards, TD, INT | 7 Carries, 22 Yards
From a strictly football standpoint, it’s fascinating to see the dramatic shift in Watson’s play from the past couple of seasons to 2026, where he’s actually delivering the ball to his receivers on time and on location. Watson still serves more as a game manager archetype than the kind of guy fantasy managers would be targeting, but he’s done enough to get his team three victories in four weeks. The biggest difference this season has been his ability to escape the pocket and extend plays, allowing his elite young skill position players to win downfield and create in space on broken plays. He’s not quite back to the player we saw at Clemson, but it’s a heck of a lot closer to that than we were a year or two ago.
They say winning cures everything. It certainly hasn’t made everybody forget about Watson’s past, but it’s at least turned the tide a bit among the Cleveland faithful.
Deshaun Watson Walks Off The Field Clapping And Cheering To The Cleveland Browns Fans, And They Give It Right Back.
The Energy Shift Is Honestly INSANE! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/bkEvbf1uZp
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) October 2, 2026
Running Back
Quinshon Judkins (CLE) vs. PIT: 17 Carries, 53 Yards, TD | 7 Targets, 6 Receptions, 43 Yards
This should have been a monster fantasy outing for Judkins, just LOOK at that receiving volume, but instead it’s just a good performance. Judkins was fine, rushing into the teeth of a gritty Steelers defense for most of the game, but he did find the end zone for the first time this season which was certainly a plus for managers. The wild thing is, he wasn’t even on the field in passing situations. Sanders owned third downs and the two-minute drill, and yet Judkins was still peppered with seven targets as the Browns dinked and dunked their way down the field against their division rival.
If McLaughlin hadn’t zipped his way into the end zone from 28 yards out, the touchdown could have just as easily gone to Judkins. If he finishes with two scores on top of his passing volume, it would have been pay dirt for managers.
Raheim Sanders (CLE) vs. PIT: 2 Carries, 9 Yards | 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 7 Yards
Sanders ran hard when given the opportunity, but he’s a clear passing down only back at this point despite his bulldozing rushing style.
Jaleel McLaughlin (CLE) vs. PIT: 1 Carry, 28 Yards, TD
There’s nothing better than a vulture running back coming into the game for one single solitary snap. And on that ONE SINGLE SOLITARY SNAP, he not only touches the ball, but scampers 28 yards around the right end and through a cavalcade of downfield blocks for a touchdown. All in a day’s work for Jaleel McLaughlin, I guess.
Wide Receiver
KC Concepcion (CLE) vs. PIT: 8 Targets, 5 Receptions, 64 Yards
As a Ravens fan, the usage reminds me a ton of the way that Baltimore would involve Zay Flowers, which makes sense considering the Browns are running Todd Monken’s offense just like the Ravens did for the past several seasons. Concepcion was constantly in motion before the snap, creating confusion in the Steelers secondary and opportunities for easy gains. The shifty wide receiver caught a couple of screens behind the line of scrimmage and made moves from there. His involvement is clearly a priority for this offense, and he’s quickly become one of Watson’s favorite targets.
Denzel Boston (CLE) vs. PIT: 7 Targets, 4 Receptions, 89 Yards
Boston has become the clear downfield guy, but has also done a nice job on possession routes, convincing defenses that he’s going deep only to stop in his tracks with separation and attack the ball coming at him. He still excels at the go route, and has pulled in receptions of 45+ yards in three out of four games so far. He’s also been on the field at least 85% of snaps in every game so far this season. The Browns trust him as WR1A and Concepcion as WR1B. This is going to be a fun receiving tandem if they ever get a generational talent at quarterback.
Jerry Jeudy (CLE) vs. PIT: 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 36 Yards
Jeudy made an impact in the second half, pulling in a couple of catches to keep the Browns’ late drives alive. The former number one wide receiver in Cleveland has been relegated in the pecking order quite a bit, but we haven’t seen too much public discontent. We’ll see if he is shopped around before the trade deadline, or if he accepts his role as the young receivers’ sideline sensei.
Tight End
Harold Fannin Jr. (CLE) vs. CAR: 5 Targets, 3 Receptions, 27 Yards, TD
A relatively quiet night for Fannin despite catching a touchdown for the second-consecutive week (that’s three in two games, but who’s counting). Watson missed the tight end on a scramble play where Fannin was in acres of space, but the quarterback air-mailed the throw costing Fannin at least 15-20 yards receiving with the misfire.