Steelers vs Cleveland Browns Match Player Stats: Complete Breakdown & Analysis
AFC North rivalries deliver football at its finest. When the Pittsburgh Steelers face the Cleveland Browns, every yard matters, every tackle counts, and player stats tell the complete story of these intense battles. This comprehensive breakdown analyzes the crucial player statistics, performances, and moments that defined the latest Steelers vs Cleveland Browns matchup.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan analyzing every detail or a casual observer wanting to understand what happened, this deep dive into player stats reveals exactly how this historic rivalry unfolded on the field.
Quarterback Comparison: Signal Callers Under Pressure
The quarterback matchup always defines Steelers-Browns games, and this contest proved no exception. Both signal callers faced immense pressure from elite defenses while trying to execute their offensive schemes.
Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback Performance:
The Steelers quarterback completed 24 of 38 passing attempts for 267 yards, throwing 2 touchdowns against 1 interception. His passer rating of 87.4 reflected solid but not spectacular performance against Cleveland’s aggressive defense. He averaged 7.0 yards per attempt, demonstrating efficiency in the intermediate passing game.
Under pressure, which came frequently against Cleveland’s fierce pass rush, the quarterback showed resilience. He completed 8 of 15 attempts when pressured for 89 yards, escaping two potential sacks through mobility. His longest completion traveled 41 yards on a crucial third-quarter drive that shifted momentum.
Cleveland Browns Quarterback Performance:
The Browns quarterback posted 19 completions on 31 attempts for 198 yards with 1 touchdown and 2 costly interceptions. His 61.3 passer rating indicated struggles against Pittsburgh’s suffocating defense. He averaged just 6.4 yards per attempt, suggesting Cleveland’s passing game never found rhythm.
Pressure statistics revealed the quarterback’s difficulties. When blitzed, he completed only 4 of 12 attempts with both interceptions occurring against pressure. His decision-making under duress became a defining factor in Cleveland’s offensive struggles.
The Verdict: Pittsburgh’s quarterback outperformed his counterpart through better decision-making under pressure and superior red zone execution, giving the Steelers a critical advantage in this defensive slugfest.
Steelers Backfield Power: Ground Game Dominance
Pittsburgh’s running game established physical dominance early, controlling the line of scrimmage and dictating game tempo.
Lead Running Back: The Steelers’ primary ball carrier rushed 22 times for 127 yards and 1 touchdown, averaging an impressive 5.8 yards per carry. His longest run of 28 yards came on a critical third-quarter drive that consumed over 7 minutes, exhausting Cleveland’s defense.
Backup Production: The backup running back contributed 8 carries for 41 yards, providing fresh legs during crucial moments. His 5.1 yards per carry average demonstrated Pittsburgh’s depth and commitment to running the football.
Total Rushing Impact: Combined, the Steelers backfield generated 168 rushing yards, wearing down Cleveland’s front seven and setting up play-action passing opportunities that kept the Browns defense off-balance.
Browns Rushing Attack: Fighting for Yards
Cleveland’s ground game faced Pittsburgh’s stout run defense, one of the league’s most formidable units.
Primary Ball Carrier: The Browns’ featured back carried 18 times for 73 yards with no touchdowns, averaging 4.1 yards per attempt. While respectable, this production fell short of the explosive plays Cleveland needed to match Pittsburgh’s offensive output.
Secondary Options: Cleveland’s backup running back added 6 carries for 22 yards, but the 3.7 yards per carry average highlighted struggles creating consistent running lanes against Pittsburgh’s disciplined defensive front.
Rushing Totals: Cleveland accumulated just 95 rushing yards total, significantly behind Pittsburgh’s production. This disparity forced the Browns into predictable passing situations where the Steelers’ defense thrived.
Top Receiving Performers: Playmakers Making Impact
Steelers Wide Receivers:
The number one receiver hauled in 7 catches for 98 yards and 1 touchdown, serving as the quarterback’s most reliable target. His touchdown reception came on a perfectly executed back-shoulder fade in the end zone, showcasing elite route-running and catch ability.
The second receiver contributed 5 receptions for 67 yards, consistently moving the chains on third-down conversions. His 13.4 yards per catch average demonstrated big-play capability that kept drives alive.
Pittsburgh’s slot receiver added 6 catches for 52 yards, operating effectively underneath and exploiting zone coverage soft spots. His possession receiving provided crucial first downs during key moments.
Browns Wide Receivers:
Cleveland’s top receiver caught 6 passes for 81 yards but couldn’t find the end zone despite multiple red zone targets. His 13.5 yards per reception showed big-play ability, but the lack of touchdowns proved costly.
The second receiver managed 4 catches for 43 yards, struggling to separate against Pittsburgh’s physical cornerbacks. His limited production reflected Cleveland’s overall offensive difficulties.
Advantage: Pittsburgh’s receiving corps outproduced Cleveland through better separation, catch consistency, and red zone execution differences that directly impacted the final score.
Tight End Contributions: Underrated Impact
Steelers Tight End:
Pittsburgh’s starting tight end recorded 4 catches for 48 yards, functioning as a reliable safety valve and effective blocker. His contributions in the running game opened lanes for the backfield while his receiving provided first-down conversions on critical third downs.
Browns Tight End:
Cleveland’s tight end caught 3 passes for 37 yards, showing flashes but lacking the consistent impact needed against Pittsburgh’s linebackers. His blocking in pass protection proved inconsistent, contributing to quarterback pressure issues.
Steelers Defense: Dominating Performance
Pittsburgh’s defense delivered a vintage performance, disrupting Cleveland’s offense throughout all four quarters.
Defensive Line: The defensive line generated 4 sacks, 8 quarterback hits, and 11 tackles for loss. This relentless pressure forced hurried throws and poor decisions from Cleveland’s quarterback. The defensive tackle recorded 2 sacks personally, dominating his matchups.
Linebackers: The linebacker unit combined for 18 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and 1 forced fumble. Their speed and instincts shut down Cleveland’s intermediate passing game while containing the Browns’ running attack.
Secondary: Pittsburgh’s defensive backs intercepted 2 passes while allowing a completion percentage of just 61%. The cornerbacks’ physical coverage frustrated Cleveland’s receivers throughout the game.
Total Defense Stats: Pittsburgh allowed only 293 total yards, held Cleveland to 3-of-12 on third down conversions, and limited the Browns to just 14 points—a suffocating defensive effort.
Browns Defense: Moments of Brilliance
Despite the loss, Cleveland’s defense showed fight and created opportunities the offense couldn’t capitalize on.
Front Seven: The Browns’ defensive line recorded 2 sacks and 5 quarterback hits, applying consistent pressure. Their linebackers contributed 16 combined tackles and demonstrated pursuit speed.
Secondary: Cleveland’s defensive backs held Pittsburgh’s receivers to 217 receiving yards but allowed crucial third-down conversions. One interception provided an offensive opportunity that Cleveland squandered.
Overall Defense: Cleveland surrendered 385 total yards and couldn’t force crucial stops when desperately needed. The defense played respectably but lacked game-changing plays.
Special Teams: Field Position Battles
Special teams subtly influenced field position and momentum throughout the contest.
Kicking Game: Pittsburgh’s kicker converted 2 field goals from 38 and 44 yards, providing crucial points. Cleveland’s kicker made 1 field goal from 27 yards but missed a critical 49-yard attempt in the fourth quarter that could have changed momentum.
Punting: Pittsburgh’s punter averaged 46.8 yards on 4 punts with 2 downed inside the 20-yard line, consistently winning the field position battle. Cleveland’s punter averaged 42.3 yards on 5 punts, unable to match Pittsburgh’s consistency.
Return Game: Neither team generated significant return yardage, but Pittsburgh’s coverage units limited Cleveland to an average starting field position at their own 22-yard line a meaningful advantage.
Key Team Stats: Numbers That Matter
| Category | Pittsburgh Steelers | Cleveland Browns |
| Total Yards | 385 | 293 |
| First Downs | 21 | 16 |
| Third Down Efficiency | 6-of-14 (43%) | 3-of-12 (25%) |
| Time of Possession | 33:42 | 26:18 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Sacks Allowed | 2 | 4 |
| Penalties | 4 for 35 yards | 6 for 48 yards |
These statistics reveal Pittsburgh’s comprehensive advantages in nearly every meaningful category, explaining their victory convincingly.
Red Zone Efficiency: Scoring When It Counts
Red zone performance separated these teams dramatically and directly determined the outcome.
Pittsburgh Red Zone: The Steelers entered the red zone 4 times, scoring 3 touchdowns and 1 field goal for 100% scoring efficiency. Their 75% touchdown conversion rate demonstrated clinical execution in high-pressure situations.
Cleveland Red Zone: The Browns reached the red zone twice, managing just 1 field goal and turning the ball over once on downs. Their 50% scoring efficiency and 0% touchdown conversion rate proved disastrous, leaving points on the field they desperately needed.
Coaching Decisions: Strategic Impact
Pittsburgh Coaching: The Steelers’ staff executed a conservative, possession-focused game plan perfectly suited to their roster strengths. By establishing the run early, they controlled clock and dictated tempo. Their defensive adjustments after Cleveland’s opening drive completely shut down the Browns’ offensive rhythm.
Cleveland Coaching: The Browns’ coaches struggled with play-calling consistency, abandoning the run too early when trailing. Fourth-down decisions proved questionable, particularly a failed conversion attempt in field goal range. Their inability to adjust to Pittsburgh’s defensive scheme contributed significantly to offensive struggles.
Pittsburgh’s quarterback significantly outperformed Cleveland’s signal caller, completing 63% of passes for 267 yards and 2 touchdowns versus 1 interception. Cleveland’s quarterback struggled with just 61% completion, 198 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 costly interceptions. Pittsburgh’s QB posted an 87.4 passer rating compared to Cleveland’s 61.3, reflecting superior decision-making under pressure.
Pittsburgh dominated the ground game with 168 rushing yards on 30 carries (5.6 yards per attempt) compared to Cleveland’s 95 yards on 24 carries (4.0 yards per attempt). The Steelers’ lead back rushed for 127 yards and 1 touchdown on 22 carries, while Cleveland’s primary runner managed just 73 yards on 18 attempts with no touchdowns.
Pittsburgh’s defense delivered a dominant performance, allowing only 293 total yards, recording 4 sacks, forcing 2 turnovers, and holding Cleveland to 3-of-12 on third downs. Cleveland’s defense allowed 385 yards, recorded 2 sacks, forced 1 turnover, but couldn’t generate crucial stops on third downs when Pittsburgh converted 43% of attempts.
Three key factors determined the outcome: red zone efficiency (Pittsburgh 100% scoring vs Cleveland 50%), turnover differential (Pittsburgh +1), and time of possession (Pittsburgh 33:42 vs Cleveland 26:18). Pittsburgh’s ability to score touchdowns in the red zone while Cleveland settled for field goals or turned the ball over proved decisive.
Pittsburgh’s running back (127 rushing yards, 1 TD), lead receiver (7 catches, 98 yards, 1 TD), and defensive tackle (2 sacks) delivered standout performances. For Cleveland, their top receiver (6 catches, 81 yards) showed flashes, but no player dominated sufficiently to overcome the team’s collective offensive struggles.
Conclusion
The Steelers vs Cleveland Browns match player stats reveal a comprehensive Pittsburgh victory built on quarterback efficiency, rushing dominance, defensive excellence, and superior red zone execution. While Cleveland showed defensive resilience and individual flashes of brilliance, the Browns couldn’t overcome turnovers, poor red zone performance, and offensive inconsistency.
Pittsburgh’s balanced offensive attack generated 385 total yards while their defense held Cleveland to just 293 yards and forced critical turnovers. The 168-95 rushing yard advantage demonstrated physical dominance at the line of scrimmage, while the 2-1 turnover differential proved decisive.
