Thursday Night Football: Deshaun Watson, Browns lead Steelers 21-10 at halftime

Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has gone back to the future tonight, playing his best game since the 2021 season in Houston.

Watson threw for 181 yards and a touchdown in the first half, and the Browns took a 21-10 lead over the Steelers into the locker room at halftime.

Watson, who is making his 23rd start in his fifth season in Cleveland, completed 14 of 17 passes in the first half. His touchdown pass was a 2-yard throw to tight end Harold Fannin with 1:22 remaining in the first half.

Watson now has five touchdown passes and no interceptions since a clunker of a season opener against the Jaguars.

After the first two series when they had seven plays and 31 yards, the Browns had scoring drives of 56, 74 and 62 yards. They are 2-for-2 in the red zone.

Jaleel McLaughlin scored on a 28-yard run as the Browns converted on cornerback Denzel Ward's pick of Aaron Rodgers, and Quinshon Judkins had a 2-yard touchdown run.

The Browns have outgained the Steelers 222 to 185 yards.

The Browns rookie receivers, Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion, have led the way. Boston has three catches for 74 yards and Concepcion four for 58.

The Steelers are only 1-of-2 in the red zone, settling for Chris Boswell's 31-yard field goal with 8 seconds left in the half after reaching the Cleveland 13. Boswell missed a 48-yard try wide left with 5:26 remaining.

Rodgers is 12-of-21 for 138 yards with a touchdown and an interception. His 12-yard scoring toss went to Roman Wilson, who has two catches for 61 yards.

The Browns have sacked him twice and hit him four times.