CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Browns are winning ugly.
But at least now they’re starting to win.
Cleveland jumped to an early two-touchdown lead over Pittsburgh, then held on for a 21-7 victory on Thursday night, despite an uninspired and mistake-laden second half that allowed the defanged Steelers to hang around.
With the victory, the Browns (4-6) have their first winning streak of the season. More importantly, their playoff hopes remain very much alive.
Still, it wasn’t easy.
Even with Pittsburgh losing its two top playmakers -- wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (concussion) and running back James Conner (shoulder) -- to injuries during the first half.