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Sept. 19 (UPI) -- T.J. Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers defense totaled six sacks and four turnovers and scored twice to beat the Cleveland Browns in Pittsburgh. The Browns also lost running back Nick Chubb to a significant knee injury. Watt logged a sack and scored on a 16-yard fumble return in the 26-22 victory Monday at Acrisure Stadium. Fellow Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith also totaled one sack, forced a fumble and scored on a 30-yard interception return.
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Watt's sack pushed his career total to 81.5, which passed James Harrison's previous franchise record (80.5).
"Splash," Watt told reporters. "That's what we talk about, it's creating splash as a defense. Alex Highsmith played his [butt] off tonight. Guys inside got incredible pressure. Larry Ogunjobi had a great game.
"I just think we really fed off the crowd."
Chubb, who totaled 64 yards on 10 carries, was injured in the second quarter. The four-time Pro Bowl selection ran for five yards before he was hit in the left knee by Steelers cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick. The knee bent awkwardly before Chubb fell to the ground. He was then carted off the field and did not return.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters at his postgame news conference that he expects Chubb to miss the rest of the season because of the injury.
"You feel for the person," Stefanski said. "He's a great football player, as we know, but he is an even better person. We will support him every step along the way."
Browns backup running back Jerome Ford totaled 19 touches for 131 yards from scrimmage and a score, mostly in relief of Chubb.
The Browns outgained the Steelers 408-255 in total yards and 108 to 55 on the ground. They owned an edge in time of possession of nearly 11 minutes.
Highsmith intercepted Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson on the first play from scrimmage. That pass deflected off the hands of tight end Harrison Bryant before the linebacker snagged it out of the air and ran 30 yards the other way for a score.
The Browns answered with a 43-yard Dustin Hopkins field goal.
Browns defensive back Grant Delpit intercepted Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett on the next drive. Hopkins went on to miss a 43-yard attempt wide left, giving the ball back to the Steelers. The Steelers punted back to the Browns a few plays later.
Watson fumbled on the next possession, but the Steelers gave the ball right back with another fumble two plays later.
Chubb carried for three yards to end the quarter. Watson then completed a 12-yard pass to wide receiver Amari Cooper for a first down.
Chubb sustained his knee injury on the next play. Watson then gave the Browns the lead with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Ford about a minute into the second quarter.
The Steelers and Browns exchanged punts on the next two drives. Steelers kicker Chris Boswell then made a 52-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 11-10.
The Browns punted again four plays later. Pickett then led a 4-play, 82-yard drive. The possession ended with a 71-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver George Pickens, giving the Steelers a 16-11 advantage.
Hopkins made a 55-yard kick in the final seconds of the first half to make the score 16-14. Boswell answered with a 50-yard attempt about three minutes into the second half to push the Steelers lead back to five points.
Ford ran for a 69-yard gain two plays later. Fellow backup running back Pierre Strong Jr. ran for a 1-yard score two plays after that, giving the Browns a 22-19 edge.
The Browns and Steelers offenses stalled yet again through the end of the third quarter. Steelers linebacker Cole Holcomb then forced a fumble from Browns tight end David Njoku. Safety Damontae Kazee recovered that loose ball. The Steelers failed to score on the resulting possession, but capitalized on another Browns turnover for the go-ahead points.
Highsmith sacked Watson on that play, which occurred midway through the fourth quarter. Watt then scooped up the loose ball and ran up the left flank for a 16-yard score.
Neither offense scored over the final 6:58.
Watson completed 22 of 40 passes for 235 yards, one score and an interception. He also lost two fumbles. Cooper totaled 90 yards and seven catches.
Pickett completed 15 of 30 passes for 222 yards, one score and an interception. Pickens totaled four catches for a game-high 127 yards and a score.
The Browns (1-1) will host the Tennessee Titans (1-1) at 1 p.m. EDT Sunday in Cleveland. The Steelers (1-1) will face the Las Vegas Raiders (1-1) at 8:20 p.m. Sunday in Las Vegas.
