PITTSBURGH - There was a rare controversy involving a measurement late in the second quarter of the Steelers' 27-14 win over the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field.

The chains were brought out to measure for a first down after Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger kept the ball on a sneak on fourth-and-1 at the Browns' 14.

When the chains were put down, members of the Browns' defense signaled a change of possession and ran off the field. After taking a closer look, referee Walt Anderson gave the first-down signal in favor the Steelers, who went on to score on a 32-yard field goal by kicker Jeff Reed.

"The ref made the call, so play on," Browns linebacker David Bowens said. "Of course, I'm on the opposing team. My views are my views. He made the call, so we had to live with it."

The replay appeared to show the ball being short of the stick. Anderson defended his call.

"The ball has to penetrate the plane of the stake," Anderson said. "When we set the ball up ready to measure, the chains are set beside the football; they're not put down on top of the ball. So when the stakes go down, I'm sighting in between the nose of the football and the stake. If the nose touches the stake, it's a first down. It's kind of like a football touching the plane of the goal line."

Asked about the replay, Anderson said: "If you shot at an angle, maybe from back behind the ball it might look like it's short. If you shot at an angle from the other side, it might actually look like it's farther in advance of the stake then what it actually is."

• INJURY REPORT: Browns linebacker D'Qwell Jackson missed the second half with a shoulder injury. Rookie Kaluka Maiava moved in for Jackson.

Linebacker Kamerion Wimbley was sent home with the flu after arriving here with the team Saturday night. Jason Trusnik, acquired in the trade that sent Braylon Edwards to the New York Jets, was given the first start of his three-year career. Wimbley had a streak of 51 consecutive starts snapped.

• NOT HAPPY: Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas was upset after being called for holding linebacker James Harrison. Thomas said that Harrison baited the official into calling the penalty with overly-dramatic antics.

"I was meaning to say something to the official before that because twice previous to that, when he knows he can't get to the quarterback, he's been flopping and trying to grab your arm and making it look like you pulled him down," Thomas said. "He knew he couldn't get to the quarterback, so he grabbed my arm and threw his feet up in the air to try to bait them into throwing a flag."

• NOT A KICK: Browns kicker Phil Dawson wasn't able to answer the call for a fourth straight week because of a calf injury. Billy Cundiff took his place.

• A FIRST: Browns rookie receiver Brian Robiskie had his first career reception for a gain of 23 yards in the fourth quarter. Robiskie was inactive for two games earlier this season.

Fellow rookie receiver Mohamed Massaquoi had five receptions for 83 yards, including a career long 43-yarder.

• ROLLING ALONG: The Steelers have won 12 straight games over the Browns in a series that dates back to 1950. It's the longest winning streak for the Steelers in the series and is tied for the longest streak in the NFL. New England has won 12 straight over Buffalo.

• BIG NUMBERS: Roethlisberger threw for 417 yards, the second most in a single game in his career. He passed for 433 yards against Denver on Nov. 5, 2006.

• OLD TIMERS: The Steelers honored several of their ex-players prior to kick off. Among the players was Kimo von Oelhoffen, who was a defensive lineman on the team that won the Super Bowl in 2006. von Oelhoffen was a coach's assistant for Browns coach Eric Mangini during training camp this year. He left the organization when he was asked to stay at a salary of $20,000 and no road privileges.

• JUST BE QUIET: Browns defensive lineman Shaun Rogers was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct late in the game during a timeout. Rogers reportedly was arguing with teammate Kenyon Coleman. When an official told the players to keep quiet, Rogers had some unflattering words for the official.

• MINOR SCARE: Steelers safety Troy Polamalu played for the first time since spraining a knee in the season opener. Fans here took a collective gulp when Polamalu limped off the field in the first quarter, but he returned and played the rest of the game.

"I thought it was a good start," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "I think how he feels tomorrow will be critical as we move forward, but it was good to see him back out there and good to see him with the ball in his hands."

• INACTIVES: Out for the Browns in addition to Wimbley and Dawson were defensive backs Coye Francies and Gerard Lawson; running back Chris Jennings; offensive lineman Billy Yates; tight end Steve Heiden and third quarterback Brett Ratliff.

Out for the Steelers were receiver Limas Sweed; cornerback Keenan Lewis; fullback Carey Davis; linebacker Andre Frazier; offensive linemen Kraig Urbik and Tony Hills; defensive end Sunny Harris and third quarterback Dennis Dixon.

mmclain@tribtoday.com