Rivalry turns into a rout

Pittsburgh pulled even with Cincinnati in the AFC North standings.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
PITTSBURGH -- The Steelers' 34-21 victory over the Browns Sunday night at Heinz Field contained several big numbers for the home sideline to celebrate:
U542, the number of passes wide receiver Hines Ward has caught in his eight-year Steelers career, most in franchise history.
U27, the unanswered points the Browns surrendered after scoring a first-quarter rushing touchdown.
U7-2, the Steelers' record that has them tied for first place with the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC North. Cleveland is 3-6 and trails by four games with seven to play.
U13, the passes Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch completed in helping engineer his second straight victory since replacing Ben Roethlisberger (right knee). Batch completed 13-of-19 passes for 150 yards in the first half before fracturing a bone in his throwing hand.
U1, the number of Browns turnovers in the final 89 seconds of the first half that turned a tight game into a deflating 10-point advantage.
U2, the number of quarterbacks the Steelers used because Batch was injured scoring a 1-yard touchdown right before halftime. Tommy Maddox replaced Batch, playing for the first time since his overtime interception gave the Jaguars a 23-17 victory a month ago.
U51, the yards the Steelers gained on a third-quarter trick play that created a 17-point lead. Wide receiver Antwaan Randle El, who played quarterback in college for Indiana, took the ball on a reverse then threw to the unguarded Ward deep in the Browns secondary a 24-7 lead.
In all, Ward caught eight passes for 124 yards.
Late in the second quarter, his third reception gave him one more than the 537 Hall of Famer John Stallworth caught from 1974-87. Ward's 15-yard catch to the Cleveland 26 helped set up Jeff Reed's 42-yard field goal that put the Steelers ahead for keeps.
Taking control
Moments later, Browns quarterback Trent Dilfer was hit by safety Troy Polamalu as he was throwing and the wounded-duck pass was intercepted by linebacker Joey Porter at the 34. On the return, linebacker Larry Foote was penalized 15 yards for a blindside hit on Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards.
It didn't matter. With no timeouts in the final minute, Batch hit Ward for a reception near the goal line that the Steelers thought was good for six points.
But when the officials ruled Ward down at the 1 and the clock ticking, Batch hustled his teammates to the line, took the snap and dove in for the touchdown and a 17-7 halftime lead.
Staying close
For the first 17 minutes, the Browns more than held their own, producing a 7-0 lead on Reuben Droughns' 5-yard touchdown, his first running this season.
Thanks to a 46-yard pickup on Batch's underthrown pass to wide receiver Cedric Wilson, the Steelers tied the game midway through the second quarter. Browns defenders Michael Lehan and Brodney Pool overran coverage of Wilson, who slowed up for the catch at the Browns 12.
Late in the game, Browns defensive end Orpheus Roye blocked Reed's 44-yard field goal attempt and Leigh Bodden picked up the ball for a 58-yard touchdown return.
Steelers left tackle Marvel Smith injured his right leg in the fourth quarter.
Dilfer completed 17 of 34 passes for 253 yards. Droughns gained 56 yards on 17 carries.
williams@vindy.com