Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers Match Player Stats
The cleveland browns vs pittsburgh steelers match player stats from October 12, 2025, tell a much clearer story than the final score alone. Pittsburgh defeated Cleveland 23-9, but the most important difference came from efficiency, quarterback production, pass protection, and the Steelers’ ability to create pressure. Aaron Rodgers completed 21 of 30 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns without throwing an interception or taking a sack. Cleveland quarterback Dillon Gabriel completed 29 of 52 passes for 221 yards, but he finished with no touchdowns, no interceptions, six sacks, a 30.4 QBR, and a 66.3 passer rating.
The result moved Pittsburgh to 4-1 overall and 2-1 at home, while Cleveland fell to 1-5 and remained winless on the road at 0-3. The Browns managed three field goals from Andre Szmyt, including a 53-yard kick, but could not turn their offensive possessions into touchdowns. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, combined two touchdown passes with three field goals from Chris Boswell to build a 23-point total.
For anyone researching cleveland browns vs pittsburgh steelers match player stats, the useful takeaway is not simply who had the most yards. The individual numbers reveal how each team approached the game and why Pittsburgh controlled the most important parts of the matchup.
Game Overview and Final Score
The Steelers won 23-9 on October 12, 2025.
| Category | Cleveland Browns | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| Final Score | 9 | 23 |
| Record After Game | 1-5 | 4-1 |
| Away/Home Record | 0-3 Away | 2-1 Home |
| Passing Yards | 221 | 235 |
| Rushing Yards | 65 | 100 |
| Total Passing Completions | 29 | 21 |
| Team Receiving Yards | 221 | 235 |
| Rushing Attempts | 17 | 28 |
| Passing Touchdowns | 0 | 2 |
| Field Goals | 3/3 | 3/4 |
| Sacks Allowed | 6 | 0 |
| Team Tackles | 67 | 82 |
| Pass Defenses | 3 | 8 |
| Quarterback Hits | 3 | 17 |
One of the most interesting aspects of the box score is that Cleveland actually completed more passes than Pittsburgh. The Browns recorded 29 completions compared with 21 for the Steelers.
That statistic alone, however, does not explain offensive success.
Pittsburgh generated 235 passing yards on only 30 attempts, while Cleveland needed 52 attempts to produce 221 yards. The Steelers therefore gained substantially more yardage per attempt and produced two touchdowns through the air.
The difference becomes even more obvious when looking at pressure. Cleveland’s quarterback was sacked six times, while Rodgers was not sacked at all.
That combination of efficiency and protection was a major factor in the final result.
Cleveland Browns Passing Stats
Dillon Gabriel’s passing line was one of the most important parts of the game.
He finished with:
- 29 completions
- 52 attempts
- 221 passing yards
- 4.3 yards per attempt
- 0 touchdowns
- 0 interceptions
- 6 sacks
- 38 sack yards lost
- 30.4 QBR
- 66.3 passer rating
At first glance, completing 29 passes can look productive. Gabriel completed more passes than Rodgers, but Cleveland’s passing attack struggled to generate the same level of efficiency.
His 4.3 yards per attempt was considerably lower than Rodgers’ 7.8 yards per attempt. This is an important distinction because completion totals can sometimes hide how aggressively or efficiently an offense moved the ball.
Gabriel’s 52 attempts also show how heavily Cleveland relied on the passing game. The Browns had only 17 rushing attempts for 65 yards, meaning the offense was much more dependent on Gabriel than Pittsburgh was on Rodgers.
Dillon Gabriel’s Efficiency
The 221 passing yards were not enough to compensate for the low efficiency.
Gabriel averaged only 4.3 yards per passing attempt. Pittsburgh’s defense also recorded six sacks, resulting in 38 yards lost.
That pressure affected more than the sack statistic itself.
Every sack can disrupt offensive rhythm, create unfavorable down-and-distance situations, and reduce the number of realistic options available to an offense. Pittsburgh’s defense recorded 17 quarterback hits overall, compared with only three for Cleveland.
The contrast is significant.
Gabriel faced repeated pressure throughout the game, while Rodgers operated without surrendering a sack.
No Passing Touchdowns
Another defining statistic was Cleveland’s inability to produce a passing touchdown.
Gabriel finished with zero touchdowns and zero interceptions. That means the Browns did not hurt themselves through interceptions, but they also could not finish drives with touchdowns.
Cleveland’s nine points all came through field goals.
That is one reason the Browns’ offensive yardage did not translate into a competitive scoring total.
Pittsburgh Steelers Passing Stats
Aaron Rodgers delivered one of the strongest statistical performances in the game.
His final numbers were:
- 21 completions
- 30 attempts
- 235 passing yards
- 7.8 yards per attempt
- 2 touchdowns
- 0 interceptions
- 0 sacks
- 72.4 QBR
- 115.3 passer rating
Rodgers attempted 22 fewer passes than Gabriel but still produced more passing yards.
That is a clear example of efficiency making a difference.
His 7.8 yards per attempt compared with Gabriel’s 4.3. Pittsburgh also converted its passing production into two touchdowns, while Cleveland finished without one.
Rodgers Protected the Football
Rodgers did not throw an interception and was not sacked.
That combination is especially important because it meant Pittsburgh avoided two major forms of negative passing plays.
The Steelers were able to keep their quarterback clean while maintaining a relatively efficient passing attack. With 21 completions on 30 attempts, Rodgers completed 70 percent of his passes.
His 115.3 passer rating was also substantially higher than Gabriel’s 66.3.
The box score therefore shows a major quarterback efficiency advantage for Pittsburgh.
Cleveland Browns Rushing Stats
Cleveland’s running game was led by Quinshon Judkins.
Judkins recorded:
- 12 carries
- 36 yards
- 3.0 yards per carry
- 0 touchdowns
- 6-yard longest run
The Browns finished with 17 rushing attempts for 65 yards.
Their team average was 3.8 yards per carry.
The rushing numbers indicate that Cleveland struggled to establish a high-volume ground attack. Seventeen team attempts is a relatively small number compared with Pittsburgh’s 28 rushing attempts.
Quinshon Judkins’ Role
Judkins accounted for 12 of Cleveland’s 17 rushing attempts.
That means he handled the majority of the Browns’ rushing workload. However, his 3.0 yards per carry average shows that the carries did not consistently produce significant gains.
His longest run was only six yards, which further illustrates how difficult it was for Cleveland to create explosive rushing plays.
The Browns therefore had limited success using the ground game to take pressure away from Gabriel.
Pittsburgh Steelers Rushing Stats
Jaylen Warren led Pittsburgh’s rushing attack.
His numbers were:
- 11 carries
- 52 yards
- 4.7 yards per carry
- 0 touchdowns
- 11-yard longest run
As a team, Pittsburgh rushed 28 times for 100 yards.
The Steelers averaged 3.6 yards per carry.
Interestingly, Pittsburgh’s team rushing average was slightly lower than Cleveland’s 3.8 yards per carry. Yet Pittsburgh still produced 100 rushing yards because it ran the ball significantly more often.
This is an important lesson when analyzing cleveland browns vs pittsburgh steelers match player stats. Efficiency matters, but volume matters too.
Pittsburgh’s 28 rushing attempts gave the offense another way to control the game and avoid putting every possession on Rodgers’ arm.
Jaylen Warren’s Contribution
Warren’s 52 yards represented more than half of Pittsburgh’s 100 rushing yards.
His 11-yard longest run was also the longest rushing play recorded by the Steelers’ listed rushing leader.
Although he did not score a rushing touchdown, his contribution helped Pittsburgh maintain a balanced offensive approach.
The Steelers did not need to rely exclusively on passing because they were able to combine Warren’s production with a 235-yard passing performance.
Cleveland Browns Receiving Stats
Harold Fannin Jr. was Cleveland’s leading receiver.
He recorded:
- 7 receptions
- 81 yards
- 11.6 yards per reception
- 0 touchdowns
- 24-yard longest reception
- 10 targets
As a team, Cleveland finished with:
- 29 receptions
- 221 receiving yards
- 7.6 yards per reception
- 0 receiving touchdowns
- 24-yard longest reception
- 51 targets
Fannin’s numbers stand out because he accounted for 81 of Cleveland’s 221 receiving yards.
He was also targeted 10 times, making him one of the primary options in the passing attack.
Harold Fannin Jr. Was Cleveland’s Most Productive Receiver
Fannin averaged 11.6 yards per reception, significantly above Cleveland’s team average of 7.6 yards per reception.
His 24-yard reception was also Cleveland’s longest listed reception.
Despite that production, he did not find the end zone.
This is another example of the difference between gaining yardage and converting yardage into points. Cleveland moved the ball through Fannin and other receivers, but the offense could not finish a drive with a touchdown.
Pittsburgh Steelers Receiving Stats
DK Metcalf was Pittsburgh’s leading receiver.
His performance included:
- 4 receptions
- 95 yards
- 23.8 yards per reception
- 1 touchdown
- 25-yard longest reception
- 9 targets
Pittsburgh’s receiving group totaled:
- 21 receptions
- 235 yards
- 11.2 yards per reception
- 2 touchdowns
- 36-yard longest reception
- 29 targets
Metcalf’s 95 yards represented a major portion of Pittsburgh’s receiving production.
His 23.8 yards per reception average was especially notable. He produced those 95 yards on only four receptions, demonstrating the explosive nature of his contribution.
DK Metcalf’s Big-Play Impact
The biggest contrast between the receiving groups was efficiency.
Cleveland recorded 29 receptions to Pittsburgh’s 21, but Pittsburgh still gained 14 more receiving yards.
The Steelers averaged 11.2 yards per reception, while Cleveland averaged 7.6.
Metcalf’s 23.8-yard average was a major part of that difference.
His touchdown also gave Pittsburgh a scoring advantage that Cleveland’s receiving group could not match.
Cleveland Browns Defensive Stats
Cleveland recorded 67 total tackles, including:
- 37 solo tackles
- 6 tackles for loss
- 3 pass defenses
- 3 quarterback hits
- 0 sacks
- 0 interceptions
The most striking number is zero sacks.
Cleveland’s defense recorded only three quarterback hits and could not bring Rodgers down behind the line of scrimmage.
That stands in sharp contrast with Pittsburgh’s defensive pressure.
The Browns did record six tackles for loss, showing that the defense was capable of disrupting plays in the backfield. However, those plays did not translate into enough quarterback pressure.
Cleveland’s Lack of Takeaways
Cleveland recorded no interceptions and no fumbles.
Pittsburgh had one fumble by Darnell Washington, but it was not lost.
As a result, neither team recorded a defensive turnover.
This means the turnover battle did not directly decide the game. Instead, offensive efficiency and defensive pressure became more important factors.
Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive Stats
Pittsburgh’s defense recorded 82 total tackles.
The Steelers also produced:
- 36 solo tackles
- 6 sacks
- 6 tackles for loss
- 8 pass defenses
- 17 quarterback hits
- 0 interceptions
The six sacks and 17 quarterback hits are among the most important defensive numbers in the entire box score.
Pittsburgh created significant pressure without relying on interceptions.
That pressure was enough to make Cleveland’s passing game inefficient.
Six Sacks Changed the Passing Equation
Gabriel attempted 52 passes, but six of those possessions ended with sacks.
The Steelers also recorded 17 quarterback hits.
This tells us that the Browns’ passing volume should not automatically be interpreted as offensive success.
A team can complete many passes while still struggling to move the offense efficiently if the quarterback is frequently pressured.
Pittsburgh’s defense created that problem.
Comparing the Quarterbacks
The quarterback comparison is arguably the clearest way to understand the game.
| Statistic | Dillon Gabriel | Aaron Rodgers |
| Completions | 29 | 21 |
| Attempts | 52 | 30 |
| Completion Rate | 55.8% | 70.0% |
| Passing Yards | 221 | 235 |
| Yards Per Attempt | 4.3 | 7.8 |
| Touchdowns | 0 | 2 |
| Interceptions | 0 | 0 |
| Sacks | 6 | 0 |
| QBR | 30.4 | 72.4 |
| Passer Rating | 66.3 | 115.3 |
The numbers strongly favor Rodgers.
Gabriel completed eight more passes, but Rodgers produced 14 more passing yards.
Rodgers also threw two touchdowns, while Gabriel threw none.
Most importantly, Rodgers avoided sacks entirely.
The result was a major efficiency gap despite the Steelers completing fewer passes.
Offensive Efficiency Was More Important Than Completion Volume
One of the most useful lessons from this game is that completion totals can sometimes be misleading.
Cleveland completed 29 passes.
Pittsburgh completed 21.
If someone looked only at completions, they might assume Cleveland had the more productive passing offense.
The rest of the statistics tell a different story.
Pittsburgh:
- Attempted fewer passes
- Gained more passing yards
- Averaged more yards per attempt
- Scored two passing touchdowns
- Allowed zero sacks
- Finished with a higher quarterback rating
Cleveland:
- Attempted 52 passes
- Completed 29
- Gained 221 yards
- Averaged 4.3 yards per attempt
- Scored zero passing touchdowns
- Allowed six sacks
This is why advanced interpretation of a box score should always consider efficiency alongside volume.
Red-Zone and Scoring Difference
Cleveland scored nine points.
Andre Szmyt made all three of his field-goal attempts and finished with nine points. His longest field goal was 53 yards.
Pittsburgh scored 23 points.
Chris Boswell made three of four field-goal attempts, with a long of 50 yards, and converted both extra-point attempts. He finished with 11 points.
The biggest difference was that Pittsburgh produced two touchdowns through the air.
Cleveland produced no touchdowns.
That 14-point touchdown difference explains a large portion of the final scoring gap.
Andre Szmyt’s Perfect Field-Goal Day
Szmyt was perfect on his three field-goal attempts.
His 53-yard kick was particularly notable because it was Cleveland’s longest successful field goal in the supplied game data.
However, three field goals also demonstrate the Browns’ inability to finish drives in the end zone.
Nine points from three successful kicks is useful, but it is difficult to keep pace when the opponent is scoring touchdowns.
Chris Boswell’s Contribution
Boswell converted three of four field-goal attempts and both extra-point attempts.
He finished with 11 points.
Although he missed one field goal, his successful kicks added important points to Pittsburgh’s total.
The Steelers’ scoring distribution was therefore more balanced than Cleveland’s. Pittsburgh received touchdowns from the passing game and additional points from its kicker.
Special Teams Comparison
Special teams also contributed to the overall game picture.
Cleveland Kick Returns
Dylan Sampson led Cleveland with five kick returns for 124 yards.
His average was 24.8 yards per return, with a 30-yard long.
Jerome Ford added one return for 22 yards.
Cleveland finished with six kick returns for 146 yards, averaging 24.3 yards per return.
Pittsburgh Kick Returns
Ke’Shawn Williams recorded two returns for 50 yards.
He averaged 25.0 yards per return and had a 25-yard long.
Kenny Gainwell added one return for 24 yards.
Pittsburgh finished with three kick returns for 74 yards, averaging 24.7 yards per return.
The return averages were almost identical, with Pittsburgh at 24.7 and Cleveland at 24.3 yards per return.
That suggests neither side had a dramatic advantage in kick-return efficiency.
Punt Returns
Isaiah Bond recorded Cleveland’s only listed punt return, gaining nine yards.
Ke’Shawn Williams had three punt returns for Pittsburgh and gained 30 yards.
His average was 10.0 yards per return, with a 15-yard long.
Pittsburgh therefore had more punt-return opportunities and more total punt-return yardage.
Punting Comparison
Corey Bojorquez handled Cleveland’s punting duties.
He recorded:
- 4 punts
- 198 total yards
- 49.5-yard average
- 67-yard long
Pittsburgh’s Corliss Waitman recorded:
- 2 punts
- 84 total yards
- 42.0-yard average
- 50-yard long
Bojorquez’s 49.5-yard average was strong, and his 67-yard punt was the longest listed punt from either team.
However, Pittsburgh only needed to punt twice.
That difference can be interpreted in the context of offensive possession and efficiency. Pittsburgh’s offense was able to sustain enough drives that it did not require as many punts as Cleveland.
Turnovers and Ball Security
Neither team recorded an interception.
Cleveland had no fumbles.
Pittsburgh’s Darnell Washington recorded one fumble, but it was not lost.
Therefore:
- Cleveland turnovers: 0
- Pittsburgh turnovers: 0 lost
- Interceptions: 0 for both teams
- Lost fumbles: 0 for both teams
The game was not decided by a traditional turnover advantage.
Instead, Pittsburgh gained its edge through quarterback efficiency, pass protection, defensive pressure, and touchdown production.
The Biggest Statistical Difference: Pressure
When analyzing the cleveland browns vs pittsburgh steelers match player stats, the defensive pressure numbers deserve special attention.
Pittsburgh recorded:
- 6 sacks
- 17 quarterback hits
- 8 pass defenses
Cleveland recorded:
- 0 sacks
- 3 quarterback hits
- 3 pass defenses
The difference is substantial.
Pittsburgh created pressure on Gabriel repeatedly, while Cleveland could not produce comparable disruption against Rodgers.
That affected both sides of the ball.
The Steelers’ offense could operate with greater stability because Rodgers was not being sacked. Cleveland’s offense had to overcome six sacks and 38 yards lost.
Why Pittsburgh’s 23 Points Mattered
Pittsburgh did not need an enormous offensive performance to win.
The Steelers produced 235 passing yards and 100 rushing yards.
That gave them 335 yards across the two primary offensive categories in the supplied data.
Cleveland produced 221 passing yards and 65 rushing yards, totaling 286 yards through those categories.
The 49-yard difference in combined passing and rushing production was not enormous by itself.
The bigger difference was what each team did with that production.
Pittsburgh scored 23 points.
Cleveland scored nine.
The Steelers turned their opportunities into touchdowns, while Cleveland repeatedly settled for field goals.
Player Performance That Stands Out
Several individual performances deserve attention when evaluating the game.
Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers completed 21 of 30 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns.
His 115.3 passer rating and 72.4 QBR show how efficiently he operated compared with Cleveland’s quarterback.
Dillon Gabriel
Gabriel completed 29 of 52 passes for 221 yards.
His completion total was high, but the six sacks, 4.3 yards per attempt, zero touchdowns, and 66.3 passer rating show how difficult the passing environment was.
DK Metcalf
Metcalf caught four passes for 95 yards and one touchdown.
His 23.8 yards per reception made him Pittsburgh’s most explosive listed receiving option.
Harold Fannin Jr.
Fannin caught seven passes for 81 yards on 10 targets.
His 11.6 yards per reception made him Cleveland’s leading receiver by yardage.
Jaylen Warren
Warren rushed 11 times for 52 yards.
His 4.7 yards per carry led Pittsburgh’s listed rushing production.
Quinshon Judkins
Judkins carried 12 times for 36 yards.
His 36 rushing yards led Cleveland’s listed rushing output, although his 3.0 yards per carry showed the Browns’ difficulty creating consistent ground production.
What the Stats Say About Each Team
The Cleveland numbers suggest a team that struggled to turn offensive opportunities into touchdowns.
The Browns passed frequently and completed 29 passes, but their average gain was limited. The rushing attack received only 17 attempts and generated 65 yards.
Defensively, Cleveland recorded six tackles for loss but failed to sack Rodgers and produced only three quarterback hits.
Pittsburgh’s profile was different.
The Steelers maintained a more balanced offensive approach with 28 rushing attempts and 30 passing attempts. Rodgers produced 235 yards and two touchdowns without a sack. The defense created six sacks and 17 quarterback hits.
This balance made Pittsburgh more efficient on both sides of the ball.
What These Numbers Mean for Future Matchup Analysis
A single box score should not be treated as a complete evaluation of an entire season. However, it can identify areas that deserve closer attention.
For Cleveland, the key areas include:
- Improving pass protection.
- Finding more efficient rushing production.
- Converting offensive possessions into touchdowns.
- Generating more quarterback pressure.
- Creating more explosive offensive plays.
For Pittsburgh, the key strengths shown in this game include:
- Efficient quarterback play.
- Strong pass protection.
- Defensive pressure.
- Explosive receiving production.
- A balanced rushing and passing workload.
These observations are more useful than simply stating that Pittsburgh won.
A Closer Look at the Yardage Gap
The yardage difference was not enormous.
Pittsburgh recorded 235 passing yards and 100 rushing yards.
Cleveland recorded 221 passing yards and 65 rushing yards.
The difference in passing yards was only 14.
The bigger gap came on the ground, where Pittsburgh produced 35 more rushing yards.
But even that does not fully explain the 14-point difference in the final score.
Touchdowns and efficiency were more important.
Pittsburgh’s passing attack produced two touchdowns.
Cleveland produced zero.
That difference transformed relatively similar passing yardage totals into a clear scoring advantage.
Completion Percentage Versus Yards Per Attempt
The quarterback statistics provide a useful example of why analysts should examine multiple metrics.
Gabriel’s completion rate was approximately 55.8 percent.
Rodgers’ completion rate was 70 percent.
Rodgers also averaged 7.8 yards per attempt compared with Gabriel’s 4.3.
So Pittsburgh was not simply completing a higher percentage of passes. The Steelers were also gaining considerably more yardage on each attempt.
That combination made Rodgers’ passing performance much more productive.
The Importance of Zero Interceptions
Neither quarterback threw an interception.
That matters because it eliminates one common explanation for a large scoring difference.
The Steelers did not win because Gabriel repeatedly gave them the ball through interceptions.
Instead, Pittsburgh built its advantage without creating an interception-based scoring opportunity.
The defensive difference came primarily through pressure and sacks.
That makes the six-sack performance particularly important.
Final Statistical Assessment
The cleveland browns vs pittsburgh steelers match player stats show a game decided by efficiency rather than simply total passing volume.
Cleveland completed more passes, but Pittsburgh gained more passing yards.
Cleveland’s quarterback attempted 52 passes, compared with 30 for Rodgers, yet Pittsburgh produced two passing touchdowns while Cleveland produced none.
Pittsburgh also ran the ball 28 times for 100 yards, compared with Cleveland’s 17 attempts for 65 yards.
The defensive numbers are even more revealing.
The Steelers recorded six sacks and 17 quarterback hits.
The Browns recorded zero sacks and three quarterback hits.
That pressure gap helped Pittsburgh control the passing environment.
At the individual level, Aaron Rodgers was the most efficient quarterback, DK Metcalf provided the biggest explosive receiving contribution, Jaylen Warren led the Steelers’ rushing attack, and Harold Fannin Jr. was Cleveland’s leading receiver.
Cleveland’s Andre Szmyt was perfect on three field-goal attempts, while Pittsburgh’s Chris Boswell scored 11 points through field goals and extra points.
The final 23-9 score therefore reflects several connected statistical advantages rather than one isolated performance.
Pittsburgh protected its quarterback, created pressure on Cleveland’s quarterback, generated more rushing volume, produced more explosive receiving plays, and converted passing opportunities into touchdowns.
Cleveland avoided turnovers, moved the ball through the passing game at times, and received a strong field-goal performance from Szmyt, but the offense could not generate enough explosive or touchdown-producing plays.
FAQs About Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers Match Player Stats
Who won the Browns vs Steelers game on October 12, 2025?
The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Cleveland Browns 23-9 on October 12, 2025.
How many passing yards did Aaron Rodgers have?
Aaron Rodgers completed 21 of 30 passes for 235 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions.
How many passing yards did Dillon Gabriel have?
Dillon Gabriel completed 29 of 52 passes for 221 yards. He recorded no passing touchdowns or interceptions and was sacked six times.
Who was the Steelers’ leading receiver?
DK Metcalf led Pittsburgh with four receptions for 95 yards and one touchdown. He averaged 23.8 yards per reception.
Who was the Browns’ leading receiver?
Harold Fannin Jr. led Cleveland with seven receptions for 81 yards. He was targeted 10 times and recorded a 24-yard longest reception.
How many sacks did the Steelers record?
Pittsburgh recorded six sacks and 17 quarterback hits against Cleveland. The Browns recorded zero sacks and three quarterback hits.
Conclusion
The October 12, 2025 matchup between Cleveland and Pittsburgh provides a strong example of why NFL box scores need to be examined beyond the final score.
Pittsburgh’s 23-9 victory was supported by better quarterback efficiency, stronger pass protection, more rushing volume, explosive receiving production, and a significant defensive pressure advantage.
Aaron Rodgers completed 70 percent of his passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns without being sacked. Dillon Gabriel completed 29 passes for 221 yards, but Cleveland’s offense struggled to create efficient gains and surrendered six sacks.
The rushing numbers also favored Pittsburgh in total production, with 100 yards on 28 attempts compared with Cleveland’s 65 yards on 17 attempts.
The receiving numbers showed another important contrast. Harold Fannin Jr. produced 81 yards for Cleveland, while DK Metcalf generated 95 yards and a touchdown for Pittsburgh on just four catches.
Defensively, the Steelers’ six sacks and 17 quarterback hits were among the clearest statistical indicators of control.
Cleveland’s perfect three-for-three field-goal performance from Andre Szmyt kept the Browns on the scoreboard, but Pittsburgh’s ability to score two touchdowns through the air created the decisive separation.
Taken together, the numbers show that Pittsburgh did not simply win because it accumulated dramatically more yardage. The Steelers were more efficient with their opportunities and more disruptive when Cleveland had the football.
That is the central lesson from this box score and the most useful way to interpret the player statistics from the matchup.
