The Cleveland Browns kept fighting long after the outcome had been decided, and it likely will cost them their best defensive player.
Browns defensive end Myles Garrett ripped off Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Rudolph's helmet and hit him with it in the head in the final seconds as the Browns' 21-7 victory over the host Steelers on Thursday ended with a wild brawl between the rivals.
Garrett faces a likely suspension, and Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey will likely be disciplined for kicking Garrett in the head.
Players from both sidelines spilled onto the field during the melee, which began after Garrett wrestled Rudolph to the ground well after he completed a screen pass on a meaningless play. Garrett, Pouncey and Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi were ejected.
"The reality is he's going to get suspended, we don't know how long, and that's going to hurt our team," Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield said immediately after the game.
Before the ugly ending, Mayfield threw two touchdown passes and scored on a 1-yard plunge as Cleveland held on to defeat the banged-up Steelers for just the fourth time in 10 years and improved to 2-0 in the AFC North for the first time.
The Browns (4-6) have won two in a row after dropping four straight, a skid that put first-year coach Freddie Kitchens' job in jeopardy.
Hours before the game, the Browns had released Antonio Callaway, who also is facing a possible 10-game league suspension for another drug violation.
