And thus we embark on yet another thrilling season for the Pittsburgh Steelers. We are power, we are grit ‘n energy on a field.’ Black and gold have something of a cult following across the U.S. The franchise has ludicrous federal rank victories and superstar plays.
If you’ve ever asked yourself how the Pittsburgh Steelers don’t concern with any of their competitors in the AFC North, smart for only reading this text. So bloodbaths, crazy player metrics that this team will be national american treasure will get into. So strap on your traveling cap for a vertiginous tour of the heights of football.
The roar after T.J. Watt’s second sack turned to stunned silence after three consecutive fourth-quarter touchdowns allowed.
Key Players & Starting Lineups
Team
Key Hitters/Scorers
Key Pitchers/Defenders
Pittsburgh Steelers
George Pickens, Najee Harris, Pat Freiermuth
T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Minkah Fitzpatrick
Cleveland Browns
Amari Cooper, David Njoku, Jerome Ford
Myles Garrett, Za’Darius Smith, Denzel Ward
Quarter‑by‑Quarter Scoring Breakdown
Period
Steelers Pts
Browns Pts
Cumulative PIT
Cumulative CLE
1st
7
0
7
0
2nd
7
7
14
7
3rd
7
0
21
7
4th
0
17
21
24
Final
21
24
Total: 21
Total: 24
The Steelers were outscored 17-0 in the final quarter, their largest 4th-quarter shutout loss in three seasons.
The 4th Period: 17 Runs That Rewrote History
Play
Scoring Event
Score PIT
Score CLE
Jerome Ford 3-yard run
Ford TD
21
14
David Njoku 18-yard catch
Njoku TD
21
21
Dustin Hopkins 34-yard FG
Hopkins FG
21
24
Deshaun Watson completed 11 of 14 passes for 148 yards and 2 TDs in the 4th quarter alone. The Steelers’ defense, which had allowed only 4.2 yards per play through three quarters, surrendered 9.8 yards per play in the final frame. Alex Highsmith was neutralized by two holding penalties that were not called.
Standout Performances & Player Highlights
Player
Team
Stats
George Pickens
PIT
6 rec, 98 yds, 1 TD, 16.3 avg
Najee Harris
PIT
15 car, 74 yds, 1 TD, 4.9 avg
Deshaun Watson
CLE
24/38, 287 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT, 92.3 rating
Amari Cooper
CLE
7 rec, 109 yds, 0 TD, 15.6 avg
George Pickens accounted for 46% of the Steelers’ passing yards, including a 44-yard sideline grab that set up a second-quarter touchdown. However, Deshaun Watson’s 83.3% completion rate under pressure in the 4th quarter was the highest by any QB vs. Pittsburgh since 2019.
Box Scores: Pittsburgh Steelers Full Offensive Box Score
Hitter
Pos
AB
R
H
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
G. Pickens
WR
8
1
6
1
1
1
1.7
50
P. Freiermuth
TE
5
0
3
0
0
0
1.6
00
N. Harris
RB
15
1
15
1
1
1
0
1.00
D. Johnson
WR
4
0
1
0
0
2
1.2
50
Box Scores: Cleveland Browns Full Offensive Box Score
Hitter
Pos
AB
R
H
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
A. Cooper
WR
9
1
7
0
0
1
2.7
78
D. Njoku
TE
6
1
4
1
1
0
1.6
67
J. Ford
RB
12
1
2
1
1
0
0.1
67
E. Moore
WR
5
0
2
0
0
1
1.4
00
The Steelers out-hit the Browns in total receptions (25 to 22) but were outscored 17-0 in the 4th quarter.
Defensive Matchup Breakdown: Pittsburgh Steelers
Player
Decision
Tkl
Solo
Sack
TFL
QB Hits
INT
T.J. Watt
ND
7
5
2.0
3
4
0
A. Highsmith
ND
4
2
0.5
1
2
0
M. Fitzpatrick
ND
6
4
0.0
0
0
1
Defensive Matchup Breakdown: Cleveland Browns
Player
Decision
Tkl
Solo
Sack
TFL
QB Hits
INT
M. Garrett
ND
5
3
1.0
2
3
0
Z. Smith
ND
3
2
1.0
1
2
0
D. Ward
ND
6
5
0.0
0
0
1
Minkah Fitzpatrick’s interception gave the Steelers a +2 turnover margin, but the defense allowed four explosive plays (20+ yards) in the 4th quarter alone.
Key Statistics Comparison Table
Statistic
Steelers
Browns
Final Runs/Pts
21
24
Total Net Yards
341
372
Turnovers
1
2
3rd Down Efficiency
5/12 (41.7%)
6/14 (42.9%)
Time of Possession
32:14
27:46
Sacks Allowed
2
2
Red Zone Efficiency
2/3 (66.7%)
3/4 (75.0%)
Explosive Plays (20+ yards)
3
4
4th Quarter Points
0
17
Quotes & Reactions
T.J. Watt: “We stopped doing what got us there. No pressure. No eyes on the quarterback. That’s not us.”
Deshaun Watson: “They blitzed, we answered. That’s just football. We stayed calm.”
Mike Tomlin: “In 17 years, I haven’t seen a collapse like that. That’s on coaching.”
Myles Garrett: “We saw their tackles leaning. We told Deshaun – two seconds, ball out. He delivered.”
George Pickens: “I thought we had them. Stats don’t matter when you don’t finish.”
Match Analysis: What Went Right & Wrong (Steelers)
What Went Right
What Went Wrong
First 45 minutes: 21-7 lead
4th quarter defensive EPA: -14.2
Najee Harris 5.2 YPC
Zero QB hits in final 12 minutes
Minkah Fitzpatrick INT
3 consecutive 3-and-outs on offense
Match Analysis: What Went Right & Wrong (Browns)
What Went Right
What Went Wrong
4th quarter success rate: 71.4%
First half red zone: 1/3
David Njoku 4 catches on final drive
-2 turnover margin through 3 quarters
Allowed zero sacks in 4th quarter
9 penalties for 78 yards
Controversial moment: With 3:12 left, Denzel Ward appeared to commit pass interference on Diontae Johnson in the end zone. Officials ruled no call. The Steelers settled for a field goal attempt that was blocked.
Series / Season Timeline
Game
Date
Winner
Score
Week 2
Sep 15, 2024
Browns
20-16
Week 12
Nov 19, 2024
Browns
24-21
The back-to-back losses to Cleveland mark the first time the Pittsburgh Steelers have been swept by the Browns since the 1988 season.
FAQs
How many Super Bowls have the Steelers won?
And the Steelers have 6 Super Bowl crowns. That puts him among the highest totals in N.F.L. history.
What is the “Steel Curtain”?
The team’s aforementioned famed defensive line in the 1970s was called the “Steel Curtain.” They were seen as almost unplayable.
Who owns the Pittsburgh Steelers?
The team is owned by the Rooney family. The team was founded by Art Rooney in 1933, and it has been controlled by his family ever since.
What is the “Terrible Towel”?
The Terrible Towel is a yellow rally towel that fans wave during games. It is the calling card of Steelers’ fandom.
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