The "best unit in the AFC North Division" – according to Mike Tomlin – confounded the Steelers at Huntington Bank Stadium on Sunday and the Browns came away with a 13-6 win.
"We certainly didn't make enough plays today, and they did," said Tomlin.
Ranked the second-best defense in the NFL heading into the weekend, the Browns held the Steelers to 291 yards of total offense and two field goals.
The result sets up a winner-take-all showdown for the division title next weekend when the Steelers host the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium.
The NFL will set its Week 18 schedule at a later time.
"It's back to work for us," Tomlin said. "We've been here before. Certainly we've got a big week ahead of us and a big game in Acrisure next weekend."
The Steelers played one of their best defensive games of the season in holding the Browns to 262 yards, their second-lowest total allowed this season. They held the Browns to 248 yards in their earlier meeting.
But in spite of keeping the Browns from converting a first down on four fourth-quarter possessions, the Steelers couldn't find the end zone.
Aaron Rodgers made one late foray into Cleveland territory on the Steelers' final drive. Passes of 29 and 11 yards to Pat Freiermuth advanced the Steelers to the Cleveland 10 with 32 seconds remaining. But a 3-yard pass to Adam Thielen was followed by three incompletions to Marquez Valdes-Scantling and the Browns ended up on top of the Steelers in Cleveland.
The Steelers, of course, played without leading receiver DK Metcalf, suspended two games by the NFL. The replacement wide receivers – Scottie Miller, Valdes-Scantling, and Thielen – combined to catch 8 passes for 60 yards.
"It was an impact," Tomlin said of Metcalf's absence. "But we certainly got capable men, and we expect those guys to make necessary plays. We certainly didn't make enough today."
The Browns scored 10 of their points on their first two possessions.
They capped their first drive with a 50-yard field goal by Andre Szmyt, and increased their lead on the next possession with a 28-yard touchdown pass by rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders to rookie tight end Harold Fannin.
With 5:11 left in the first quarter, the Browns had a 10-0 lead.
The Steelers cut into the lead early in the second quarter on a 44-yard field goal by Chris Boswell. The key play of the drive occurred when Connor Heyward motioned under center on third-and-1 and ripped off a 29-yard gain around right end to set up the kick, which cut the Steelers' deficit to 10-3 with 14:54 left in the first half.
The Steelers squandered a scoring opportunity midway through the second quarter after outside linebacker Jack Sawyer dropped into coverage and intercepted a deflected pass and returned it 27 yards to the Cleveland 31.
Alex Highsmith hit Sanders while he was throwing and the ball bounced off the helmet of defensive lineman Logan Lee and into Sawyer's hands. But with big tight end Darnell Washington out of the game with a broken arm, the Steelers eschewed the "Spartan" sneak on fourth-and-1 and Rodgers' deep pass to Miller fell incomplete to give the ball back to the Browns at their 22.
The Steelers forced a punt, and Boswell finished the half with his second field goal of the quarter. He knocked a 40-yarder through the uprights with no time left to cut the Steelers' deficit to 10-6, their first halftime deficit in seven games.
The key play of the field goal drive was a 23-yard pass from Rodgers to Freiermuth that gave the Steelers a first down at the Cleveland 28 with 18 seconds left in the half.
Game action photos from the Steelers' Week 17 game against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Tre Flowers (23) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Chuck Clark (21) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end/fullback Connor Heyward (83) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end/fullback Connor Heyward (83) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end/fullback Connor Heyward (83) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end/fullback Connor Heyward (83) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers guard Mason McCormick (66) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (99) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Chuck Clark (21) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97), Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Yahya Black (94), Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington (80) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (99) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington (80) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington (80) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington (80) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end/fullback Connor Heyward (83) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end/fullback Connor Heyward (83) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jack Sawyer (33) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jack Sawyer (33) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jeremiah Moon (53), Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jack Sawyer (33), Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51), Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell (14) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell (14) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers punter Corliss Waitman (3) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Kyle Dugger (29) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Chuck Clark (21) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The Pittsburgh Steelers during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers punter Corliss Waitman (3) and Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (11) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Chuck Clark (21) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Chuck Clark (21) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Adam Thielen (16) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Adam Thielen (16) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers punter Corliss Waitman (3) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jack Sawyer (33) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers punter Corliss Waitman (3) and Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Yahya Black (94) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Chuck Clark (21) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Scotty Miller (13) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell (14) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith (81) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers punter Corliss Waitman (3) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Kyle Dugger (29) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell (14) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8), Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Spencer Anderson (74) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith (81) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers guard Andrus Peat (71) and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Dylan Cook (60) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (99) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Malik Harrison (50) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (22), Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) and Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Spencer Anderson (74) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97), Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) and Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Kyle Dugger (29) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Kyle Dugger (29) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, OH. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The Steelers continued to struggle on offense throughout the second half.
A 13-yard run by Jaylen Warren moved the Steelers to the Cleveland 27 on the last play of the third quarter, but a sack of Rodgers on third down set up a missed 54-yard field goal attempt with 12:53 left as the Browns held their 10-6 lead.
An interception of Sanders by Kyle Dugger gave the Steelers the ball at their own 34 with 12:02 remaining, but after a 15-yard run by Kenneth Gainwell the offense stalled again.
Punter Corliss Waitman pinned the Browns back at their 12, and another Browns punt, followed by Miller's 25-yard return, set up the Steelers at their own 43 with 7:03 remaining. But, again, the Steelers were forced to punt and the Browns gained possession at their 10 with 4:54 remaining.
The Browns punted again and the Steelers took over at their 20 with 2:16 to play, but they couldn't gain a yard in four plays. They turned it over on downs at their own 20 with 1:58 remaining.
The Steelers used their three timeouts and held the Browns to a 33-yard field goal and got the ball back at their 35 with 1:40 remaining. The clutch catches by Freiermuth were the final gasp of the Steelers, who stalled at the Cleveland 7 with three incompletions into the end zone.
The Steelers (9-7) were led offensively by Warren's 64 yards on 12 carries to lead all rushers. Freiermuth led all receivers with 63 yards on 3 catches.
"I didn't think we played poorly," Tomlin said. "We just didn't make enough plays. I thought they played well. I thought the game was kind of unfolding in the way that you would anticipate, but we never made that signature play that kind of got us over the hump. That generally is the deciding factor in games like this, and we generally make them. We didn't make them today."
"I have full confidence we'll go home and win next week," said Rodgers. "We've done it all season. We've handled adversity well, and when we had to play our best ball, we did. Other than today."
