Quick answer
- Winner
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Final score
- Pittsburgh Steelers 36–33 Cleveland Browns
- Halftime
- Cleveland Browns 17–7 Pittsburgh Steelers at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- K. Holcomb
- Top passer
- T. Maddox
- Biggest EPA play
- (14:23) (Shotgun) 10-K.Holcomb pass to 85-K.Johnson to PIT 1 for 83 yards (27-B.Alexander)…
- Game date
- 2003-01-05
Game summary
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns 36–33 on 2003-01-05, overcoming Cleveland Browns's 17–7 halftime lead. K. Holcomb posted a game-high +25.81 total EPA in the passing.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 31 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 0 | 33 | |
| 0 | 7 | 7 | 22 | 0 | 36 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1
K. Holcomb · Cleveland Browns · Passing · +25.81 total EPA · 48 snaps · +0.54 EPA/play - 2
D. Northcutt · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +10.22 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.28 EPA/play - 3
T. Maddox · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +10.11 total EPA · 55 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play - 4
Andre' Davis · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +5.97 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.49 EPA/play - 5
P. Burress · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +5.53 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.50 EPA/play - 6
Jordan White · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +3.65 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.61 EPA/play - 7
J. Tuman · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +3.20 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.80 EPA/play - 8

Kisean Johnson · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +2.95 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.25 EPA/play
FantasyHQ Game MVP
Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.
FantasyHQ Game MVP
K. Holcomb — CLE · Passing
K. Holcomb posted the highest total EPA (+25.81) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Cleveland Browns. Across 48 counted snaps, they averaged +0.54 EPA per play.
K. Holcomb's top snap (+8.01 EPA): (14:23) (Shotgun) 10-K.Holcomb pass to 85-K.Johnson to PIT 1 for 83 yards (27-B.Alexander).
Quarterback report card
T. Maddox led all passers in efficiency for Pittsburgh Steelers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
T. Maddox (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 55 dropbacks · 54.5% completion · +0.18 EPA/play · +10.11 total EPA
K. Holcomb (Cleveland Browns) · 48 dropbacks · 54.2% completion · +0.54 EPA/play · +25.81 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | ||
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.089 | +0.090 |
| Offensive success rate | 38.6% | 55.9% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.477 | +0.199 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.494 | -0.031 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.090 | -0.089 |
| Defensive success rate | 44.1% | 61.4% |
Drive & efficiency notes
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Cleveland Browns +0.09, Pittsburgh Steelers +0.09) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- Cleveland Browns: +0.09 EPA/play (73rd percentile vs. 2002 team-game averages)
- Pittsburgh Steelers: +0.09 EPA/play (74th percentile vs. 2002 team-game averages)
- Cleveland Browns: 16 drives, +8.94 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 14 drives, +8.34 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
Cleveland Browns — W. Green
Cleveland Browns — D. Northcutt (K. Holcomb pass)
Pittsburgh Steelers — C. Gardocki
Cleveland Browns — D. Northcutt (K. Holcomb pass)
Pittsburgh Steelers — P. Burress (T. Maddox pass)
Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Tuman (T. Maddox pass)
Cleveland Browns — K. Holcomb
Pittsburgh Steelers — H. Ward (T. Maddox pass)
Pittsburgh Steelers — C. Fuamatu-Ma'afala
Field goals
Cleveland Browns — P. Dawson
Cleveland Browns — P. Dawson
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The opening quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 7–0. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the PIT 1 (Q1 13:49) — (13:49) #66 Zukauskas is eligible receiver 31-W.Green up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q1 13:44) — 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki..
The second quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 10–7. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the PIT 32 (Q2 14:44) — (14:44) 10-K.Holcomb pass to 86-D.Northcutt for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q2 14:38) — 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the PIT 69 (Q2 9:51) — (9:51) 17-C.Gardocki punts 35 yards to PIT 34, Center-97-R.Kuehl. 82-A.Randle El for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q2 9:35) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox.; Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the PIT 14 (Q2 0:53) — (:53) 4-P.Dawson 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki..
The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the PIT 15 (Q3 12:17) — (12:17) (Shotgun) 10-K.Holcomb pass to 86-D.Northcutt for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q3 12:11) — 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CLE 6 (Q3 3:59) — (3:59) 8-T.Maddox pass to 80-P.Burress for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by CLE and Upheld. (Timeout #2 at 03:50.); Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q3 3:50) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox..
The fourth quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 22–9. Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the PIT 6 (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 4-P.Dawson 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CLE 3 (Q4 12:34) — (12:34) 8-T.Maddox pass to 84-J.Tuman for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q4 12:28) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the PIT 22 (Q4 10:25) — (10:25) (Shotgun) 10-K.Holcomb pass to 87-Andre' Davis for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CLE 5 (Q4 3:11) — (3:11) (Shotgun) 8-T.Maddox pass to 86-H.Ward for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q4 3:06) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CLE 3 (Q4 0:58) — (:58) (Shotgun) 45-C.Fuamatu-Ma'afala up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers registered a safety from the CLE 2 (Q4 0:54) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 82-A.Randle El pass to 84-J.Tuman is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- Cleveland Browns (Q1 14:23) — (14:23) (Shotgun) 10-K.Holcomb pass to 85-K.Johnson to PIT 1 for 83 yards (27-B.Alexander).
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 0:07) — (:07) (Shotgun) 10-K.Holcomb pass to 84-A.King to PIT 29 for 16 yards (26-D.Townsend; 27-B.Alexander).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 0:54) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 82-A.Randle El pass to 84-J.Tuman is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 9:51) — (9:51) 17-C.Gardocki punts 35 yards to PIT 34, Center-97-R.Kuehl. 82-A.Randle El for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 1:48) — (1:48) (Shotgun) 8-T.Maddox pass to 80-P.Burress to CLE 10 for 17 yards (25-C.Fuller).
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- Cleveland Browns (Q1 14:23) — (14:23) (Shotgun) 10-K.Holcomb pass to 85-K.Johnson to PIT 1 for 83 yards (27-B.Alexander).
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 9:51) — (9:51) 17-C.Gardocki punts 35 yards to PIT 34, Center-97-R.Kuehl. 82-A.Randle El for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 14:52) — (14:52) 17-C.Gardocki punts 41 yards to PIT 31, Center-97-R.Kuehl. 82-A.Randle El MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by CLE-36-C.Akins at PIT 32. 36-C.Akins to PIT 32 for no gain (29-C.Iwuoma).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 1:59) — (1:59) 8-T.Maddox pass intended for 86-H.Ward INTERCEPTED by 33-D.McCutcheon at CLE 3. 33-D.McCutcheon pushed ob at CLE 31 for 28 yards (72-W.Gandy).
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q1 13:49 · PIT 1 · Score 6-0
(13:49) #66 Zukauskas is eligible receiver 31-W.Green up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q1 13:44 · PIT 2 · Score 7-0
4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q2 14:44 · PIT 32 · Score 13-0
(14:44) 10-K.Holcomb pass to 86-D.Northcutt for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q2 14:38 · PIT 2 · Score 14-0
4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 9:51 · PIT 69 · Score 14-6
(9:51) 17-C.Gardocki punts 35 yards to PIT 34, Center-97-R.Kuehl. 82-A.Randle El for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 9:35 · CLE 2 · Score 14-7
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox.
Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q2 0:53 · PIT 14 · Score 17-7
(:53) 4-P.Dawson 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q3 12:17 · PIT 15 · Score 23-7
(12:17) (Shotgun) 10-K.Holcomb pass to 86-D.Northcutt for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q3 12:11 · PIT 2 · Score 24-7
4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 3:59 · CLE 6 · Score 24-13
(3:59) 8-T.Maddox pass to 80-P.Burress for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by CLE and Upheld. (Timeout #2 at 03:50.)
Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 3:50 · CLE 2 · Score 24-14
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox.
Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q4 15:00 · PIT 6 · Score 27-14
(15:00) 4-P.Dawson 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 12:34 · CLE 3 · Score 27-20
(12:34) 8-T.Maddox pass to 84-J.Tuman for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 12:28 · CLE 2 · Score 27-21
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox.
Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q4 10:25 · PIT 22 · Score 33-21
(10:25) (Shotgun) 10-K.Holcomb pass to 87-Andre' Davis for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 3:11 · CLE 5 · Score 33-27
(3:11) (Shotgun) 8-T.Maddox pass to 86-H.Ward for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 3:06 · CLE 2 · Score 33-28
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox.
Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 0:58 · CLE 3 · Score 33-34
(:58) (Shotgun) 45-C.Fuamatu-Ma'afala up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Pittsburgh Steelers Safety (+2) — Q4 0:54 · CLE 2 · Score 33-36
TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 82-A.Randle El pass to 84-J.Tuman is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.
- Pittsburgh Steelers earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
- One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
- K. Holcomb (Cleveland Browns) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers on 2003-01-05?
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns 36-33 in Week 18, 2002.
What was the score by quarter in Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Q1: Cleveland Browns 7, Pittsburgh Steelers 0; Q2: Cleveland Browns 10, Pittsburgh Steelers 7; Q3: Cleveland Browns 7, Pittsburgh Steelers 7; Q4: Cleveland Browns 9, Pittsburgh Steelers 22; Final: Cleveland Browns 33, Pittsburgh Steelers 36.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Cleveland Browns touchdown — W. Green (Q1 13:49) Cleveland Browns touchdown — D. Northcutt (K. Holcomb pass) (Q2 14:44) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — C. Gardocki (Q2 9:51) Cleveland Browns touchdown — D. Northcutt (K. Holcomb pass) (Q3 12:17) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — P. Burress (T. Maddox pass) (Q3 3:59) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — J. Tuman (T. Maddox pass) (Q4 12:34) Cleveland Browns touchdown — K. Holcomb (Q4 10:25) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — H. Ward (T. Maddox pass) (Q4 3:11) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — C. Fuamatu-Ma'afala (Q4 0:58) Cleveland Browns field goal — P. Dawson (Q2 0:53, 3 pts) Cleveland Browns field goal — P. Dawson (Q4 15:00, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
T. Maddox (Pittsburgh Steelers), 54.5% completion, +0.18 EPA per dropback, +10.11 total passing EPA. K. Holcomb (Cleveland Browns), 54.2% completion, +0.54 EPA per dropback, +25.81 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
K. Holcomb (Cleveland Browns) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +25.81 total EPA on Passing plays. across 48 snaps. Their top snap (+8.01 EPA): (14:23) (Shotgun) 10-K.Holcomb pass to 85-K.Johnson to PIT 1 for 83 yards (27-B.Alexander)..
Was Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers a close game?
Yes — the margin was 3 points. Pittsburgh Steelers won 36-33 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
Cleveland Browns
Entered 9-7 Now 9-8 L
Pittsburgh Steelers
Entered 10-5 Now 11-5 W