PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers scored on the opening drive of their AFC North Division game against the Cleveland Browns, and held a 7-0 lead at the end of the first quarter at Heinz Field.
The Steelers may have started several backups at key skill positions, but that sure did not slow down their momentum against the Browns early in the game.
On the opening possession, the Steelers marched 72 yards on eight plays and took a 7-0 lead with 10:43 to play in the first quarter when wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey took a pitch from running back Fitzgerald Toussaint, ran around right end and hustled his way to a 29-yard touchdown run.
Quarterback Landry Jones completed three of his four passes on the drive for 14 yards, and then, running back Steven Ridley rushed for 29 yards on three carries, including a 13-yarder on his first attempt, and later, a 16-yard jaunt that came to an end when he lost his footing on a snow-covered field.
In addition to the quick scoring drive, the Steelers’ defense ratcheted up the pressure against the Browns and rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer throughout the first quarter.
Kizer was sacked twice for 20 lost yards, and as a team, the Browns had -18 yards over the first 15 minutes of play.
