Get ready for an intense NFL showdown as the Pittsburgh Steelers aim to break their road losing streak against the Cleveland Browns and secure their spot in the playoffs as the AFC North champions! It's a crucial game with high stakes, and the atmosphere is electric.
The Steelers haven't tasted victory in Cleveland since 2021, but today could be their turning point. With the Baltimore Ravens winning on Saturday, the pressure is on Pittsburgh to deliver. A loss would mean a do-or-die game against the Ravens in Week 18, and the loser would sadly miss out on the playoffs altogether.
But here's where it gets controversial... Myles Garrett, the Browns' defensive star, has a chance to tie or even break T.J. Watt's single-season sack record. Mike Tomlin, the Steelers' head coach, is determined to prevent this from happening, but it won't be easy. The Steelers will have to contend with Garrett's prowess, especially with their left tackle, Dylan Cook, making only his third career start against the likely NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
And this is the part most people miss... the Steelers' offense is dealing with some major setbacks. Without DK Metcalf, who was suspended for an altercation with a fan, and Calvin Austin III, who is injured, the team's top wide receivers are sidelined. Players like Adam Thielen, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Roman Wilson will need to step up and fill the void. Tomlin has issued a clear challenge to Wilson, who has been inactive for a few weeks, to rise to the occasion.
As we dive into the live updates and discussion, remember to refresh this page for the latest action, video highlights, and injury news. Don't forget to check out the comment section below, where fans are gathering to share their thoughts and reactions in real time. It's going to be an exciting game, and we want to hear your predictions and analysis!
Let's get started with the first half!
Steelers' Inactive Players:
- QB Will Howard (3rd QB)
- OLB T.J. Watt
- WR Calvin Austin III
- CB James Pierre
- G Isaac Seumalo
- CB Brandin Echols
- RB Kaleb Johnson
Browns' Inactive Players:
- QB Dillon Gabriel
- CB Myles Harden
- OL Kendrick Green
- T Jeremiah Byers
- WR Jamari Thrash
- TE David Njoku
- DT Sam Kamara
The Browns won the coin toss and elected to receive.
START OF GAME:
The kickoff was returned to the 27-yard line.
1st and 10: Raheim Sanders gains 6 yards up the middle. 2nd and 4: Shedeur Sanders avoids a sack and connects with Brenden Bates for a 19-yard gain, leaving the defense in the dust.
1st and 10: Sanders misses a wide-open target in the flat, resulting in an incomplete pass. 2nd and 10: Sanders bounces outside for 3 yards, tackled by Patrick Queen and Joey Porter Jr. 3rd and 7: Sanders completes a pass to Jerry Jeudy for 10 yards, converting the first down.
1st and 10: Dylan Sampson is stopped by Kyle Dugger for just 1 yard. 2nd and 9: Sanders faces pressure and throws an incomplete deep pass intended for Jeudy, with Asante Samuel Jr. in coverage. 3rd and 9: Sanders completes a pass to Harold Fannin Jr. in the flat for 2 yards. Chuck Clark limits the gain by coming downhill. The 50-yard field goal attempt in the rain is good, giving the Browns a 3-0 lead.
The kickoff is returned to the 26-yard line by Kenneth Gainwell.
1st and 10: A toss to the right goes to Jaylen Warren for 6 yards, but he fumbles with a punchout by Devin Bush Jr. Dylan Cook recovers the ball for the Steelers. 2nd and 4: Warren gains just 1 yard around the left end. 3rd and 3: A shovel pass to Gainwell results in a 1-yard gain. The Steelers go three and out. The punt travels 52 yards and is fair caught at the 14-yard line.
1st and 10: Sanders completes a deep pass to the left, finding Cedric Tillman for a 42-yard gain. Clark is the closest defender in coverage.
1st and 10: Sanders gains 6 yards up the middle. 2nd and 4: Cam Heyward penetrates the backfield for a tackle for loss, resulting in a 1-yard loss. 3rd and 5: Trayveon Williams runs off the right tackle for 9 yards, converting the first down.
1st and 10: Jack Sawyer pursues Sanders from the backside, limiting his gain to just 2 yards. 2nd and 8: Sanders completes a deep pass to Fannin for 28 yards and a touchdown, with Kyle Dugger unable to prevent the score. Fannin is injured on the play. The Browns extend their lead to 10-0.
The kickoff results in a touchback, with the ball placed at the 20-yard line.
1st and 10: Aaron Rodgers completes a pass to Jonnu Smith for 4 yards. 2nd and 6: Rodgers rolls out and his pass hits Marquez Valdes-Scantling's hands, resulting in an incomplete pass. 3rd and 6: Rodgers connects with Scotty Miller deep, but the referees call offensive pass interference on Valdes-Scantling, negating the play. It was a questionable call. 3rd and 16: Rodgers completes a pass to Darnell Washington for 11 yards up the middle, but a penalty flag is thrown at the end of the play. Taunting is called on the Browns, giving the Steelers a fresh set of downs.
1st and 10: A toss to the left goes to Warren for 5 yards. 2nd and 5: Rodgers completes a pass to Washington for 4 yards. 3rd and 1: Connor Heyward motions into the Spartan formation and gains 29 yards up the right sideline on a tush push play.
1st and 10: Gainwell gains 3 yards up the middle. 2nd and 7: A late checkdown to Gainwell results in a tackle for loss by Bush, with a 7-yard loss in the backfield.
END OF 1ST QUARTER: Browns lead 10-0.
3rd and 13: An incomplete pass intended for Gainwell on a screen attempt. Boswell's kick is good from 44 yards, bringing the score to 10-3 in favor of the Browns.
The kickoff results in a touchback.
1st and 10: Sanders completes a pass to Jerry Jeudy for 13 yards.
1st and 10: Sanders gains no yards up the middle, tackled by Patrick Queen. 2nd and 10: Sanders completes a pass to Jeudy for 15 yards.
1st and 10: Sanders completes a pass to Sampson, resulting in a 1-yard loss. 2nd and 11: Alex Highsmith sacks Sanders for another 1-yard loss. 3rd and 12: Sanders scrambles for 11 yards, but Cam Heyward makes the tackle. The Browns are in field goal range, but they decide to go for it on 4th down. 4th and 6: An incomplete pass intended for TE Sal Cannella. It's a questionable decision by Kevin Stefanski, but the Steelers will take it.
1st and 10: Warren gains 15 yards up the middle.
1st and 10: Warren gains 4 yards on an inside toss. 2nd and 6: An incomplete deep pass intended for Valdes-Scantling. 3rd and 6: Adam Thielen drops a back shoulder toss. It was a perfect throw, but the coverage technique was exceptional. The punt is downed at the 16-yard line.
UPDATE: Darnell Washington (forearm) has been downgraded to OUT for the remainder of today's game.
DK Metcalf's absence is clearly impacting the Steelers' offense. Their receivers have yet to make a catch midway through the second quarter.
1st and 10: Sampson gains 3 yards off the right tackle. 2nd and 7: Sampson gains 3 yards off the left tackle. 3rd and 4: Sanders completes a pass to Isaiah Bond for 16 yards. The Steelers' defense continues to struggle.
1st and 10: Sanders scrambles for 4 yards. 2nd and 6: Sanders completes a pass to Jeudy for 12 yards over the middle. The Browns' offense is outsmarting the Steelers' defense.
1st and 10: Sanders' pass is deflected at the line of scrimmage and intercepted by Jack Sawyer, who returns it for a big gain. Alex Highsmith applies pressure, and the pass bounces off Logan Lee's helmet before being picked off.
1st and 10: Rodgers flips the ball to Connor Heyward for a 3-yard loss to avoid a sack. 2nd and 13: Warren gains 6 yards up the middle. 3rd and 7: Rodgers scrambles but slides too early. 4th and 1: Tomlin calls a timeout with the offense on the field. 4th and 1: Rodgers throws an incomplete deep pass intended for Scotty Miller. An interesting choice with the Spartan formation available.
1st and 10: Sanders' pass is nearly intercepted by Nick Herbig, who drops what could have been a pick-six. 2nd and 10: Sanders completes a pass to Malachi Corley for 4 yards. 3rd and 6: Sanders completes a pass to Jeudy for 4 yards, but Ramsey and Porter tackle him short of the sticks. The punt travels 57 yards and is returned 9 yards by Scotty Miller to the 22-yard line.
1st and 10: Rodgers tosses the ball to Kenneth Gainwell to avoid pressure, gaining 2 yards. 2nd and 8: Rodgers completes a pass to Valdes-Scantling for 7 yards. 3rd and 1: Rodgers completes a pass to Gainwell for 8 yards.
1st and 10: Rodgers completes a pass to Gainwell for 10 yards.
1st and 10: The Steelers spike the ball to stop the clock with 00:26 remaining. 2nd and 10: Rodgers completes a pass to Pat Freiermuth for 21 yards, but a penalty is called, killing the clock for the Steelers. Rodgers rushes the snap, resulting in 12 men on the field. The Steelers decline the penalty after the big play.
1st and 10: Rodgers throws the ball away with 00:17 remaining. 2nd and 10: A false start is called. 2nd and 15: Rodgers completes a pass to Thielen for 11 yards. 3rd and 4: Rodgers spikes the ball with 00:03 remaining. Boswell's field goal is good from 40 yards, bringing the score to 10-6 in favor of the Browns.
END OF 1ST HALF: Browns lead 10-6.
Join us for the second half below, where the Steelers will look to mount a comeback and secure their playoff destiny!
