Steelers defeat rival Browns 34-21

By John Onan | Monday, November 14, 2005 | ( 0 )

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The Pittsburgh Steelers may have lost another one of their quarterbacks for an extended period of time, this time backup Charlie Batch, but they just keep on winning. Batch scored on a one yard run and threw for another, but was forced out of the game after suffering a broken hand, but Tommy Maddox came on in relief to help lead the team to a 34-21 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday night.

The Browns struck first on a five-yard touchdown run from Reuben Droughns, who had 56 yards on 15 carries on the night, but Pittsburgh dominated once the second quarter began. After a short end zone plunge by Jerome Bettis and a Jeff Reed 42-yard field goal put them ahead 10-7, Batch also went in from a yard out to give them a 17-7 halftime lead.

Duce Staley led the team with 64 yards on 17 attempts, and overall the Steelers gained 159 yards, compared to just 61 by the Browns. Before leaving the game, Batch looked sharp, going 13-of-19 for 150 yards.

Neither Batch nor Maddox threw for a score, but wide receiver Antwan Randel El did, as he found Hines Ward after a reverse on a 51-yard connection to extend the Steelers lead to 24-10. Ward finished with eight grabs for 124 yards.

One of the few second half highlights from Cleveland was on a blocked Pittsburgh field goal attempt, as Leigh Bodden recovered and rumbled 59 yards to pay dirt to cut the lead to 27-14.

Cleveland Browns signal-caller Trent Dilfer tried to get his team back in the game, but the Pittsburgh Steelers made some big stops to thwart a comeback attempt. He was 17-of-34 passing for 253 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

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