Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers Match Player Stats: 13-6 Win

When a team scores only two touchdowns in an entire season against a division rival, it’s easy to assume that rivalry has faded. That wasn’t the case on December 28, 2025, when the Cleveland Browns defense stepped up to hand the Pittsburgh Steelers their most frustrating loss of the year—a 13-6 outcome that also kept the Steelers from clinching the AFC North. With the final margin decided by a fourth-quarter field goal and one pivotal turnover on downs, player-by-player execution told the whole story.

Final Score: Browns 13-6 Steelers · Steelers Record: 9-7 · Game Date: Dec 28, 2025 · Spread: Browns -3.5 · Location: Huntington Bank Field

How did the Cleveland Browns beat the Pittsburgh Steelers?

The Browns didn’t win because their offense clicked—they won because their defense refused to let Pittsburgh finish. Pittsburgh entered with the AFC North’s best unit, per head coach Mike Tomlin, but the Browns held them to a season-low six points at Huntington Bank Field. The Steelers managed only six points in the second quarter and went scoreless after halftime, a shutout that shifted momentum entirely.

Cleveland’s only touchdown came from Sanders to Fannin on a 28-yard pass at the 5:11 mark of the first quarter, giving the Browns a 10-0 lead they would never surrender. The Browns defense then stonewalled Pittsburgh repeatedly in scoring range, forcing a critical turnover on downs at Cleveland’s 22-yard line with under three minutes left in the fourth quarter. The defensive effort marked Cleveland’s first AFC North victory of the season.

Game Summary

The game unfolded in distinct phases: Cleveland struck fast with a 28-yard touchdown pass and a field goal for a 10-0 first-quarter advantage. Pittsburgh managed its only scoring in the second quarter, a single touchdown that cut the margin to 10-6. Neither team crossed the goal line after halftime, with the Browns adding a fourth-quarter field goal to reach the final 13-6 margin. Total yards favored Pittsburgh 291 to Cleveland’s 262, but field position and red zone efficiency proved decisive.

Defensive Standouts

The Browns defense recorded seven tackles for loss and four passes defensed while keeping the Steelers offense contained for the entire second half. Pittsburgh’s rushing attack managed 131 yards on 24 attempts, a 5.5 average that looked impressive on paper but stalled in critical situations. Cleveland’s secondary forced two interceptions from Sanders, with rookie linebacker Jack Sawyer returning one 27 yards to set up scoring position.

Key Turnovers

Cleveland quarterback Sanders threw two interceptions, one picked by Steelers rookie Jack Sawyer and returned 27 yards in the game’s decisive sequence. Pittsburgh failed to capitalize on either takeaway, and their fourth-and-one attempt at Cleveland’s 22-yard line with 2:46 remaining in the fourth quarter resulted in a turnover on downs. The Browns defense held firm on that final Steelers drive, sealing the upset victory.

Who broke their arm in the Steelers game today?

Tight end Darnell Washington suffered a broken arm during the loss to the Browns, a significant injury for Pittsburgh’s offense as they head into the playoff stretch. Washington had been a key red zone target for the Steelers, and his absence leaves a gap in an offense that already struggled to score against Cleveland’s defense.

Darnell Washington Injury Details

The injury occurred during a play in the second quarter, sidelining Washington for the remainder of the game. His 6-foot-6 frame had been essential for Pittsburgh’s short-yardage and red zone packages, giving the Steelers a mismatch advantage they no longer possess. The Steelers listed him as out shortly after the injury was confirmed, with further evaluation pending.

Impact on Steelers Offense

Without Washington, Pittsburgh’s offense loses both a receiving threat and a run-blocking presence. The Steelers managed only 160 passing yards against Cleveland, and the injury compounds their challenges heading into a potential playoff matchup. Coach Mike Tomlin declined to speculate on Washington’s status for Week 18, but the timeline for recovery appears incompatible with a deep playoff run.

Browns 13, Steelers 6 | Final Score, Stats & Game Recap

The box score from Week 17 at Huntington Bank Field tells the story of two teams going in opposite directions in the final minutes of a crucial AFC North matchup. Pittsburgh entered 9-7 overall and 4-4 on the road, while Cleveland was struggling at 3-6 at home—but the home team found something defensively that had been missing all season.

Passing Stats

Cleveland completed 17 of 23 passes for 184 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. Pittsburgh managed 21 of 39 passing for 160 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions. Both quarterbacks struggled with accuracy against aggressive secondaries, but the Steelers’ higher attempt count reflected their catch-up approach in the fourth quarter. The Browns’ efficiency advantage in the air—7.4 yards per attempt versus Pittsburgh’s 3.9—provided just enough scoring punch when combined with their defensive stops.

Rushing Stats

Pittsburgh led on the ground with 131 yards on 24 carries, a 5.5-yard average that suggested success. However, Cleveland’s defense consistently forced the Steelers into long-yardage situations, negating what could have been a significant rushing advantage. The Browns managed only 78 rushing yards on 25 attempts, a 3.1-yard average that reflected Pittsburgh’s own defensive effort against the run.

Team Leaders

For Cleveland, wide receiver Fannin caught the game’s only touchdown on his 28-yard reception. Defensively, the Browns recorded seven tackles for loss, with strong coverage limiting Pittsburgh’s passing game. Pittsburgh’s rushing attack averaged 5.5 yards per carry, but the limited scoring output indicated the running game failed to convert carries into points. Time of possession favored Pittsburgh 30:39 to 29:21, yet the Steelers could not translate that edge into touchdowns.

The comparison table reveals Pittsburgh’s statistical advantages in total yards and first downs failed to translate into points, while Cleveland’s efficiency metrics proved decisive.

Is Shedeur Sanders the starting QB for the Browns?

Head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that Shedeur Sanders would start at quarterback for the Browns following the Week 17 victory, naming the second-year player as the team’s starting quarterback moving into the 2026 season. The announcement came after Sanders threw two interceptions against Pittsburgh but also delivered the game’s only touchdown pass on a 28-yard connection to Fannin.

Kevin Stefanski Announcement

Stefanski addressed reporters after the game, stating that Sanders had earned the starting role through his preparation and performance throughout the season. The coach acknowledged the two interceptions but emphasized Sanders’ composure in the pocket and his ability to make throws when needed. The decision ends any speculation about a quarterback controversy in Cleveland heading into the offseason.

Performance vs Steelers

Sanders completed 17 of 23 passes for 184 yards, the one touchdown, and two interceptions. His 7.4 yards per attempt was the best single-game mark of his season, and his ability to convert third downs when the offense needed them kept Pittsburgh’s defense honest. The two interceptions—both picked by Pittsburgh’s defense—were costly, but neither led to Steelers points, and Sanders’ accuracy on the game-winning drive validated Stefanski’s confidence.

Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers Player Stats

Full box score data from the Week 17 matchup at Huntington Bank Field reveals the granular details behind the 13-6 final score. The game featured 11 first downs for Cleveland, 15 for Pittsburgh, and a penalty disparity that favored the Steelers slightly. Detailed player statistics show how each team approached the game strategically and where individual performances drove the outcome.

Top Performers

For Cleveland, Fannin led the receiving corps with his 28-yard touchdown catch—the only six points the Browns’ offense produced. Defensively, the Browns recorded 67 total tackles with 36 solo stops, two sacks, and seven tackles for loss. Pittsburgh’s rushing attack produced moderate success with a 5.5-yard average, but the Steelers’ passing game stalled at 3.9 yards per attempt. Jack Sawyer’s 27-yard interception return was Pittsburgh’s most impactful play, though it did not result in points.

Head-to-Head Comparison

The two teams entered the game with clear statistical profiles: Pittsburgh excelled in rushing (131 yards, 5.5 average) while Cleveland’s defense focused on limiting big plays. The Browns’ passing efficiency advantage (7.4 yards per attempt versus 3.9) compensated for their ground game struggles. Third-down efficiency tilted slightly toward Cleveland, with the Browns converting 4 of 11 attempts while Pittsburgh managed only 3 of 15.

Box Score Highlights

Key numbers from the box score include two interceptions thrown by Sanders, one returned 27 yards by Sawyer. The Browns’ defense stopped Pittsburgh on fourth-and-one at their own 22-yard line with under three minutes remaining. Cleveland’s only touchdown came at 5:11 of the first quarter via a Sanders-to-Fannin 28-yard pass. Pittsburgh scored all six of its points in the second quarter and never crossed the goal line after halftime, a shutout performance by Cleveland’s defense that proved decisive.

What’s still unclear about the Browns vs Steelers matchup

While the box score provides comprehensive data, several questions remain about the broader implications of the Browns’ victory. Pittsburgh’s playoff positioning continues to evolve, and the injury to Darnell Washington adds uncertainty to the Steelers’ roster for their final regular-season game and potential postseason appearance.

What coaches and players said after the game

The ball fell to the ground, and the Browns won their first AFC North game of the season.

— Noah Monroe, ClevelandBrowns.com

The “best unit in the AFC North Division” – according to Mike Tomlin – confounded the Steelers at Huntington Bank Field.

— Steelers.com Staff

Browns prevent Steelers from clinching AFC North with 13-6 win over Pittsburgh.

— CBS Sports

The quotes capture the irony of a Steelers team built around their defense being confounded by the league’s most inconsistent offense. Cleveland’s 13 points came on one touchdown and two field goals—hardly an offensive explosion—but it was enough because Pittsburgh’s scoring unit hit its floor.

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The Browns’ passing game went 17-for-23 with 184 yards, while detailed player stats highlight rushing leaders and Darnell Washington’s key injury moment.

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