Browns Win as Jackson Catches On

CLEVELAND — This time, Michael Jackson got the drop on the defense.

Jackson, who dropped a potential touchdown pass in Cleveland’s last game, held on to Mike Tomczak’s pass Sunday for a 47-yard scoring play that secured the Browns’ 17-9 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“I was so open, I was worried about whether or not I was going to catch the ball,” Jackson said. “I was so open, I didn’t know where I was on the field.”

The Browns (2-3) sent the Steelers (3-2) to their 10th loss in their last 11 trips to Cleveland.

Kevin Mack put Cleveland ahead, 10-6, with a one-yard scoring run in the third quarter, capping a 90-yard drive. After Pittsburgh closed to 10-9 on Gary Anderson’s third field goal, Jackson’s catch widened Cleveland’s lead with 10:44 to play.

On the Steelers’ ensuing possession, Pittsburgh Coach Bill Cowher--who began both his coaching and playing careers with the Browns--went for it on fourth-and-one at his 40. But Barry Foster, the league’s leading rusher, was stopped for no gain.

The Steelers had a 6-3 halftime lead after squandering a couple of chances for touchdowns and missing a field goal. Carnell Lake dropped an interception with a clear path to the end zone late and Neil O’Donnell’s 17-yard touchdown pass to Dwight Stone was negated by a holding penalty. Anderson had a 31-yard field goal bounce off the left upright.

Cleveland’s Matt Stover kicked a 51-yard field goal.

O’Donnell completed his first 11 passes and finished 25 of 32 for 241 yards. Foster ran for 84 yards and caught six passes for 49 yards.