If you searched for Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers match player stats, you probably want one thing: Real numbers from the real game, without digging through ten different websites. This guide gives you exactly that. We break down what each key player did, how the score changed quarter by quarter, and how this rivalry has played out over the last few meetings.
The Browns and Steelers are one of the oldest rivalries in the NFL. Every time these two AFC North teams meet, fans expect a hard-hitting, low-scoring, defense-first battle, and the most recent matchup didn’t disappoint. Whether you’re checking scores for fantasy football, doing homework for a school project, or just a die-hard fan who missed the game, this article covers the Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers match player stats in a simple, easy-to-read way.
Below, you’ll find quarterback numbers, receiving leaders, defensive standouts, a full team stats table, and a quick look at the season series between these two teams. We’ve also added the upcoming 2026 schedule so you know when they play next. Let’s get into the numbers.
Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers Match Player Stats: Week 17, December 28, 2025
The most recent meeting between these two teams happened on December 28, 2025, at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland. The Browns won a tight, defense-heavy game by a score of 13-6. Here’s a full look at the Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers match player stats from that game.
Final Score
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Cleveland Browns | 10 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 13 |
Key Player Stats: Cleveland Browns
- Shedeur Sanders (QB): 17-of-23 passing for 186 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions. That completion rate of nearly 74% was a career high for the rookie quarterback.
- Harold Fannin Jr. (TE): 2 catches for 30 yards, including a 28-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter that put Cleveland up 10-0.
- Jerry Jeudy (WR): Led the Browns in receiving with 5 catches for 54 yards.
- Myles Garrett (DE): Recorded a team-high 6 quarterback pressures across 39 pass-rush snaps, even though he was chipped or double-teamed 16 times.
- Andre Szmyt (K): Went 2-for-2 on field goals, including a 50-yard kick and a game-sealing 33-yarder in the fourth quarter.
- Alex Wright (DE): Recorded a sack on Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Key Player Stats: Pittsburgh Steelers
- Aaron Rodgers (QB): 21-of-39 passing for 168 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions thrown. He was sacked twice.
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR): Was targeted heavily in the red zone late in the game but could not connect with Rodgers on a key fourth-and-goal play.
- Chris Boswell (K): Made 2 of 3 field goals, including a 44-yarder and a 40-yarder right before halftime.
- Alex Highsmith (LB): Recorded 2 sacks and 3 tackles, a standout defensive performance.
- Denzel Ward (CB, Browns defense): Broke up the game-deciding fourth-down pass in the end zone with 17 seconds left, sealing the win for Cleveland.
Full Team Stats Comparison
| Stat | Pittsburgh Steelers | Cleveland Browns |
| Total Yards | 291 | 262 |
| Passing Yards | 168 | 186 |
| Rushing Yards | 131 | 78 |
| Time of Possession | 30:39 | 29:21 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| Sacks Allowed | 2 | 2 |
| Field Goals Made | 2-of-3 | 2-of-2 |
| Penalties | 4 for 34 yards | 6 for 45 yards |
Even though Pittsburgh actually gained more total yards, Cleveland’s defense forced two turnovers and made the plays that mattered most in the red zone. That’s really the story behind these Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers match player stats, Pittsburgh moved the ball, but Cleveland made the stops when it counted.
How the Game Played Out
Cleveland came out fast. On their opening drive, kicker Andre Szmyt hit a 50-yard field goal to make it 3-0. A few possessions later, Shedeur Sanders found rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. on a 28-yard touchdown pass, and the Browns jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter.
After that hot start, the game turned into exactly what Browns-Steelers games are known for: a defensive slugfest. Pittsburgh answered with two Chris Boswell field goals before halftime to cut the deficit to 10-6, but neither team found the end zone again for the rest of the game. In the fourth quarter, Andre Szmyt added a 33-yard field goal to push the lead to 13-6.
Pittsburgh had one final chance. Aaron Rodgers drove the Steelers down to Cleveland’s 7-yard line with under a minute left, but on fourth-and-goal, cornerback Denzel Ward broke up a pass intended for Marquez Valdes-Scantling in the end zone. That defensive stand sealed the win for the Browns and kept Pittsburgh from clinching a playoff spot that day.
Head-to-Head: The Full 2025 Season Series
These two teams actually played twice during the 2025 season, and the results were split. Looking at both games gives you a fuller picture of the Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers match player stats for the entire year, not just one game.
| Game Date | Location | Winner | Final Score | Browns Starting QB |
| October 12, 2025 | Pittsburgh | Steelers | 23-9 | Dillon Gabriel |
| December 28, 2025 | Cleveland | Browns | 13-6 | Shedeur Sanders |
In the first meeting back in October, Cleveland was still starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who completed 29 of 52 passes for 221 yards in a losing effort. By the time the two teams met again in December, rookie Shedeur Sanders had taken over the starting job and led the Browns to a much-needed win, evening the season series at one game apiece.
Why This Rivalry Matters
The Browns and Steelers have played each other for decades, and the games are almost always close and physical. A few quick facts that add context to this rivalry:
- Cleveland had won three straight home games against Pittsburgh heading into the December 2025 matchup.
- The Browns also won five of the last six meetings played in Cleveland.
- Both teams are part of the AFC North, one of the toughest divisions in football, alongside the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals.
- Myles Garrett, one of the NFL’s top pass rushers, has built a reputation for dominant performances against Pittsburgh over the years.
When Do the Browns and Steelers Play Next?
Fans searching for Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers match player stats are usually also curious about the next matchup. Here’s the current 2026 schedule for these two AFC North rivals:
- Thursday, October 1-2, 2026: Steelers at Browns (Thursday Night Football, Cleveland)
- Sunday, November 1, 2026: Browns at Steelers (Pittsburgh)
As with every NFL season, these two teams will face off twice once at each stadium keeping the rivalry alive for another year.
Final Thoughts
The Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers match player stats from the most recent game tell a clear story: Cleveland’s defense and clutch kicking made the difference in a low-scoring, hard-fought win. Shedeur Sanders showed real growth as a rookie quarterback, Harold Fannin Jr. continued his strong finish to the season, and the Browns defense led by Denzel Ward’s game-saving pass breakup held on when it mattered most.
With another two matchups already on the 2026 schedule, this rivalry isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Bookmark this page and check back after the next Browns vs Steelers game for updated player stats and a fresh breakdown.
Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers match player stats FAQs
1. Who won the last Browns vs Steelers game?
The Cleveland Browns won the most recent matchup 13-6 on December 28, 2025, at home.
2. Who was the Browns starting quarterback in the last game?
Rookie Shedeur Sanders started at quarterback for Cleveland and completed 17 of 23 passes for 186 yards and a touchdown.
3. How many times do the Browns and Steelers play each season?
Because they’re both in the AFC North division, the Browns and Steelers play each other twice every regular season, once at each team’s home stadium.
4. Who leads the all-time Browns vs Steelers rivalry?
Pittsburgh has historically held the edge in the all-time series, but Cleveland has won several of the more recent meetings, including three straight at home before the December 2025 game.
