The Cleveland Browns defeated a beat-up Pittsburgh Steelers team Sunday, 20-14, behind a historic defensive effort.
The Browns forced eight turnovers, including five interceptions, on their way to the six-point victory. Four Steelers running backs carried the ball Sunday -- Isaac Redman, Chris Rainey, Rashard Mendenhall and Jonathan Dwyer -- and all four fumbled. Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders also got in the action, fumbling on the last play of the game.
Third-string quarterback Charlie Batch gave the ball away three times as well, with three interceptions in his first start this season. Pittsburgh's eight turnovers was the most by a team since the St. Louis Rams turned the ball over eight times in 2001.
On the other side of the ball, the Browns took advantage of the turnovers, maintaining a lead for most of the second half, eventually winning their third game of the season.
Chris Pokorny of SB Nation's Cleveland Browns blog, Dawgs by Nature, writes that the game wasn't pretty, but a win is a win, especially against the Steelers.
We knew the Pittsburgh Steelers were going to have difficulty moving the football against the Cleveland Browns with Charlie Batch under center. Instead of collapsing in the final moments, though, the defense came through all game long. How did they do that? By forcing eight turnovers in a 20-14 win...At the end of the day, the Browns beat the Steelers. Everything is officially right in the world again.
The Browns travel to play the Oakland Raiders next Sunday.