Photo: steelers.com
Third-and-13 usually isn’t an ideal situation for an offense, especially when it’s backed up inside its own 25-yard line. However, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren turned what looked like a difficult conversion into one of the biggest plays of Sunday’s 27-6 victory over the Cleveland Browns.
With 4:17 remaining in the first quarter, Pittsburgh faced third-and-13 from its own 24-yard line. Rather than attempting a pass, the Steelers handed the football to Warren, who found an opening up the middle and raced 51 yards to Cleveland’s 25-yard line.
Jaylen Warren just went 51 yards on 3rd and 13 😳
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Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/YD1Naon9lN— NFL (@NFL) November 1, 2026
The explosive run completely changed the possession, giving Pittsburgh a fresh set of downs deep in Browns territory after the offense had appeared headed toward a punt.
Pittsburgh eventually drove 86 yards on 13 plays, with Chris Boswell connecting on a 20-yard field goal early in the second quarter to extend the Steelers’ lead to 10-0. While the offense couldn’t finish the drive with a touchdown, Warren’s third-down run was the difference between a potential three-and-out and a lengthy scoring possession.
The play was also part of a dominant afternoon for Warren, who finished with 143 rushing yards on 17 carries, averaging 8.4 yards per attempt. He later added a one-yard touchdown run in the third quarter after Darnell Washington‘s 58-yard reception set up Pittsburgh at the goal line.
Warren’s performance helped the Steelers finish with 200 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground, continuing the offensive improvement that has accompanied Pittsburgh’s four-game winning streak.
For a team that has struggled at times to generate explosive plays, Warren’s 51-yard run was another reminder of how dangerous Pittsburgh’s rushing attack can be when the offensive line creates opportunities.
