CLEVELAND — Combined Sunday, the Watt brothers had two sacks and an interception.
J.J. Watt had zero of each.
Brother T.J. Watt, in his NFL debut, was a stud, with a pair of sacks, a pick and seven total tackles in the Steelers’ 21-18 season-opening win over the Browns.
The first-round pick out of Wisconsin was all over the field, notably in the third quarter with Cleveland driving.
DeShone Kizer surveyed the field and threw left — where only Watt and his leaping, outstretched hands awaited for an impressive interception.
It was part of an underwhelming but successful day for Pittsburgh, with Ben Roethlisberger throwing two touchdown passes to tight end Jesse James to survive.
Roethlisberger improved to 21-2 in his career against the Browns, who gave their rivals all they could handle — a positive sign for coach Hue Jackson and Cleveland fans after a horrid 1-15 season.
But the Browns couldn’t stop Pro Bowl wide receiver Antonio Brown, who made a leaping catch in traffic for 38 yards with 2:26 left to seal Pittsburgh’s win. Brown finished with 11 receptions for 182 yards.
Browns rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer had pulled the Browns within three on a 3-yard TD pass to Corey Coleman followed by a 2-point conversion.
With Pittsburgh needing a big play, Brown delivered one — as usual.
Roethlisberger lobbed his deep pass near Pittsburgh’s sideline toward Brown, who went up over Browns defensive back Jason McCourty and hauled in the game’s biggest catch. Jackson challenged the call, but it held up after a video review and the Steelers improved to 32-6 against the Browns since 1999.
Roethlisberger passed for 263 yards.
The Browns have lost 13 straight openers. Cleveland’s defense played well despite not having top overall pick Myles Garrett, who injured his ankle earlier this week.
Le’Veon Bell, who skipped training camp in a contract dispute, ran tentatively and gained just 32 yards on 10 carries. He rejoined his teammates last week and signed his $12.1 million franchise tag, far less than he feels he deserves.