Action packed AFC North game sees Steelers top Browns 14-3

An eventful game seen it all, turnovers, injuries, hard hits and a display of a competitive rivalry. Ben Roethlisberger fell to the ground and the stadium went silent, and the Steelers players were lost for words. Big Ben, already suffering a hand injury fell awkwardly and caught his left leg under a Cleveland player in the second quarter. Ben was taken to the locker room as Charlie Batch came into the game. X-rays proved that Big Ben had not broken anything and was fit to compete.

Roethlisberger has always been labeled a solid quarterback, capable of taking big hits. And this proved correct as he passed for 280 yards and led the Steelers to a 14-3 home win against rivals Cleveland. Although Roethlisberger limped around between plays, he was able to control the game and ensure a much needed victory was achieved.

It appears the Steelers will be lucky as Big Ben will have 10 days off to recover. Ben is due to have an MRI scan today to show what damage had been done. The Steelers improved to 10-3 as The Browns fell to 4-9 and made sure McCoy remained winless against the AFC North division rivals.

Colt McCoy performed better than expected and threw for 209 yards; however he showed a glimpse of his unreliable side by throwing for two interceptions. McCoy had been replaced by Seneca Wallace after being hit with a helmet to helmet from the Steelers LB James Harrison. In his few snaps Seneca took the Browns to the Steelers 5 yard line, however would of been disappointed to be replaced by McCoy soon after. McCoy appeared to be struggling from the hard hit and was flagged and intercepted within a few plays.

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In what appeared as a possible game winning drive, both McCoy and Wallace seemed energetic and capable of causing one of the biggest upsets of the season. However this game winning drive proved to be just that for the Steelers as this interception proved game ending as the Browns remained without a touchdown, and the Steelers were left in a good position in which they scored their game finishing touchdown on.

Peyton Hillis struggled and rushed for 25 yards on 10 carries. Cleveland, who had good offensive wins against New Orleans and New England last season, appears unable to perform well this season without the Peyton Hillis performances of last year.

It could have been worse for Cleveland as Pittsburgh turned the ball over in two red zone scoring opportunities. Hines Ward fumbled, however Polamalu recovered with an interception soon after. Heath Miller soon was hit by Haden and fumbled. The Browns had performed better and made fewer mistakes than usual, however it could have been as different as it appeared Colt McCoy had scored a touchdown on the game’s opening drive, but replays showed McCoy fell short with his knee touching the ground. Cleveland then sent Hillis down the middle for a few yards, however the Steelers withstood this pressure and made sure Cleveland had only a 4th down opportunity, in which Dawson converted a 20 yard field goal.

This eventful game had a bit of everything, except for Cleveland success. Browns fans are getting fed up of the constant losing and many have taken to social network sites saying they "won’t attend" or "renew season tickets". Cleveland has some serious work to be done, in order to improve and compete as a decent NFL team.

By Kenny Brown
ProFootball-fans.com Cleveland Browns Correspondent