The Cleveland Browns pulled off a 13-6 upset victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17, denying Pittsburgh a chance to clinch the AFC North division. The low-scoring defensive battle highlighted the Steelers' struggles on offense and their strategy to contain Browns star Myles Garrett. This result sets up a winner-take-all showdown between the Steelers and Baltimore Ravens in Week 18.
In a gritty, defensive affair at FirstEnergy Stadium, the Cleveland Browns defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 13-6 on Sunday, keeping the AFC North title in play heading into the final week of the regular season. The Steelers, who entered the game with a win-or-clinch scenario, managed just six points despite a late drive led by veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers that brought them to the Browns' 7-yard line. Rodgers completed 21 of 39 passes for 168 yards but threw three consecutive incompletions, turning the ball over on downs with 21 seconds remaining.
The Browns' defense, anchored by Myles Garrett, held firm throughout. Garrett, who entered with 22 sacks and needing just 0.5 more to tie the NFL single-season record, recorded none but pressured Pittsburgh relentlessly. After the game, Garrett remarked, "To an extent, I feel like they were more worried about keeping me away from Aaron (Rodgers) than, you know, getting the win." Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin countered, stating the approach was standard: "We didn't do anything against Myles that we don't normally do against Myles. The sack record is irrelevant."
Former NFL star J.J. Watt defended the Steelers' game plan on The Pat McAfee Show, saying, "If you’re trying to stop the best player on the team from getting sacks, that’s generally the way to try and win the game." The Steelers chipped or doubled Garrett on 16 of 39 pass plays (41%), and Rodgers' average time to throw was a quick 2.39 seconds.
Pittsburgh's offense sputtered without suspended wide receiver D.K. Metcalf, failing to score a touchdown on 11 possessions. The loss drops the Steelers to 10-6, tying them with the Ravens, who beat the Green Bay Packers 41-24 behind Derrick Henry's 216 rushing yards and four touchdowns. A Ravens victory in Week 18 at Acrisure Stadium would secure the division and a home playoff game; a Steelers win clinches it for Pittsburgh.
This outcome underscores the AFC North's competitiveness, with both teams now preparing for a high-stakes finale. The Browns, at 5-11, end their season with renewed momentum after spoiling Pittsburgh's plans.
