Pittsburgh, PA

After a scary second-quarter sack, Ben Roethlisberger returned in the second half to pass for 280 yards and two scores in the Pittsburgh Steelers 14-3 demolition of the Cleveland Browns Thursday night at Heinz Field.

The amazing one-legged effectiveness of Roethlisberger helped vault the Steelers to the top of the AFC North.

The 29-year-old two-time Super Bowl champ was in obvious pain as he grabbed his ankle after his left leg got twisted under him following a Scott Paxson sack with under six minutes to play in the second quarter.

Roethlisberger, who had to be helped off the field and into the locker room, was initially diagnosed with a high ankle sprain, an injury that can sideline player for weeks.

Roethlisberger was welcomed by a rousing ovation as he returned in the second half.

He appeared to be a bit unsteady in his return and was obviously in serious pain but Roethlisberger showed why he is one of the toughest players in the league as he defied the Browns pass defense.

Roethlisberger connected 8 of 21 passes for 178 yards after the break, including a game-sealing 79-yard strike to Antonio Brown with less than three minutes remaining in the tilt.

The Steelers star quarterback finished the contest 16-for-21 with 280 yards, two scores and an interception. Roethlisberger will have an MRI exam Friday to determine the extent of the injury.

Brown, who is in his second season with the Steelers, had five catches for a career-high 151 yards and a score. Jerricho Cotchery caught the other score for the Steelers' fourth consecutive win.

Colt McCoy connected on 18-of-35 passes for 209 yards and two picks in the loss, the third straight for the Browns (4-9).

With the triumph, Pittsburgh (10-3) moves a half-game ahead of Baltimore for the top spot in the division.

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