Game story
In Week 4 of the 2002 NFL season on 2002-09-29, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the Cleveland Browns, pulling away with a 16–13 final that came down to the wire.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
T. Couch (Cleveland Browns) paced the passing game, with -4.30 total EPA.
On the individual side, T. Maddox (Pittsburgh Steelers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +4.33 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-41.6% win probability) landed in overtime when Cleveland Browns changed the game: (13:15) 4-P.Dawson 45 yard field goal is No Good, Short, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki. Kick tipped at the line by #41 Flowers
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q4 | OT | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Browns | 3 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 0 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 16 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 T. Maddox · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +4.33 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play
- 2 P. Burress · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +3.94 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play
- 3 D. Northcutt · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +3.44 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.69 EPA/play
- 4 J. White · Cleveland Browns · Rushing · +2.61 total EPA · 17 snaps · +0.15 EPA/play
- 5 H. Ward · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.41 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
- 6 A. Shea · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +1.29 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.65 EPA/play
- 7 A. Davis · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +1.19 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
- 8 T. Mathis · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +1.07 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
T. Maddox — PIT · Passing
T. Maddox posted the highest total EPA (+4.33) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Pittsburgh Steelers's efficiency. Across 13 counted snaps, they averaged +0.33 EPA per play.
The signature play (+4.64 EPA) came from Cleveland Browns: (1:26) 30-J.White right guard to PIT 13 for 54 yards (27-B.Alexander).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Cleveland Browns — J. White
- Pittsburgh Steelers — P. Burress (T. Maddox pass)
Field goals
- Cleveland Browns — P. Dawson
- Cleveland Browns — P. Dawson
- Pittsburgh Steelers — T. Peterson
- Pittsburgh Steelers — T. Peterson
- Pittsburgh Steelers — T. Peterson
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 3–0. Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the PIT 11 (Q1 53:19) — (8:19) 4-P.Dawson 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki..
The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 6–3. Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the PIT 11 (Q2 44:29) — (14:29) 4-P.Dawson 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the CLE 1 (Q2 37:35) — (7:35) 2-T.Peterson 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-81-D.O'Leary, Holder-8-T.Maddox.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the CLE 9 (Q2 30:26) — (:26) 2-T.Peterson 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-81-D.O'Leary, Holder-8-T.Maddox..
The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the PIT 4 (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 30-J.White up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q4 14:57) — 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CLE 10 (Q4 2:05) — (2:05) (Shotgun) 8-T.Maddox pass to 80-P.Burress for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q4 2:02) — 2-T.Peterson extra point is GOOD, Center-81-D.O'Leary, Holder-8-T.Maddox..
Overtime: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 3–0. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the CLE 13 (OT 8:02) — (8:02) 2-T.Peterson 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-81-D.O'Leary, Holder-8-T.Maddox..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Cleveland Browns (OT 13:15) — (13:15) 4-P.Dawson 45 yard field goal is No Good, Short, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki. Kick tipped at the line by #41 Flowers
- Pittsburgh Steelers (OT 15:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 8-T.Maddox pass intended for 82-A.Randle El INTERCEPTED by 54-A.Davis at PIT 34. 54-A.Davis to PIT 34 for no gain (82-A.Randle El). Penalty on PIT, Illegal Formation, declined.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 9:11) — (9:11) 10-K.Stewart pass intended for 86-H.Ward INTERCEPTED by 24-R.Griffith at CLE 0. Touchback (86-H.Ward).
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 33:07) — (3:07) (Shotgun) 2-T.Couch pass intended for 87-A.Davis INTERCEPTED by 55-J.Porter at PIT 39. 55-J.Porter to CLE 34 for 27 yards (66-P.Zukauskas). Pressure by #31 Logan.
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 30-J.White up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Cleveland Browns (Q1 46:26) — (1:26) 30-J.White right guard to PIT 13 for 54 yards (27-B.Alexander).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (OT 15:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 8-T.Maddox pass intended for 82-A.Randle El INTERCEPTED by 54-A.Davis at PIT 34. 54-A.Davis to PIT 34 for no gain (82-A.Randle El). Penalty on PIT, Illegal Formation, declined.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 9:11) — (9:11) 10-K.Stewart pass intended for 86-H.Ward INTERCEPTED by 24-R.Griffith at CLE 0. Touchback (86-H.Ward).
- Cleveland Browns (Q1 54:17) — (9:17) (Shotgun) 2-T.Couch pass to 87-A.Davis to PIT 11 for 30 yards (41-L.Flowers).
Quarterback report card
T.Couch led all passers in efficiency for Cleveland Browns, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- T.Couch (Cleveland Browns) · 36 dropbacks · 44.4% completion · -0.12 EPA/play · -4.30 total EPA
- K.Stewart (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 26 dropbacks · 57.7% completion · +0.02 EPA/play · +0.51 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Cleveland Browns | Pittsburgh Steelers |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.040 | -0.034 |
| Offensive success rate | 41.2% | 52.7% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.143 | +0.096 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.035 | -0.235 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.034 | +0.040 |
| Defensive success rate | 47.3% | 58.8% |
By the numbers
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Cleveland Browns -0.04, Pittsburgh Steelers -0.03) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
- Cleveland Browns: 11 drives, -3.19 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 12 drives, -3.06 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Pittsburgh Steelers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
- T. Maddox (Pittsburgh Steelers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q1 53:19 · PIT 11 · Score 3-0
(8:19) 4-P.Dawson 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki. - Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q2 44:29 · PIT 11 · Score 6-0
(14:29) 4-P.Dawson 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki. - Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q2 37:35 · CLE 1 · Score 6-3
(7:35) 2-T.Peterson 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-81-D.O'Leary, Holder-8-T.Maddox. - Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q2 30:26 · CLE 9 · Score 6-6
(:26) 2-T.Peterson 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-81-D.O'Leary, Holder-8-T.Maddox. - Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q4 15:00 · PIT 4 · Score 12-6
(15:00) 30-J.White up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q4 14:57 · PIT 2 · Score 13-6
4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-97-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-C.Gardocki. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 2:05 · CLE 10 · Score 13-12
(2:05) (Shotgun) 8-T.Maddox pass to 80-P.Burress for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 2:02 · CLE 2 · Score 13-13
2-T.Peterson extra point is GOOD, Center-81-D.O'Leary, Holder-8-T.Maddox. - Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — OT 8:02 · CLE 13 · Score 13-16
(8:02) 2-T.Peterson 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-81-D.O'Leary, Holder-8-T.Maddox.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns 16-13 in Week 4, 2002 on 2002-09-29.
What was the final score of Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
The final score was Cleveland Browns 13, Pittsburgh Steelers 16 (CLE 13-16 PIT) in Week 4, 2002 on 2002-09-29.
What was the score by quarter in Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Q1: Cleveland Browns 3, Pittsburgh Steelers 0; Q2: Cleveland Browns 3, Pittsburgh Steelers 6; Q4: Cleveland Browns 7, Pittsburgh Steelers 7; Q5: Cleveland Browns 0, Pittsburgh Steelers 3; Final: Cleveland Browns 13, Pittsburgh Steelers 16.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Cleveland Browns touchdown — J. White (Q4 15:00) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — P. Burress (T. Maddox pass) (Q4 2:05) Cleveland Browns field goal — P. Dawson (Q1 53:19, 3 pts) Cleveland Browns field goal — P. Dawson (Q2 44:29, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — T. Peterson (Q2 37:35, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — T. Peterson (Q2 30:26, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — T. Peterson (OT 8:02, 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. Couch (Cleveland Browns), 44.4% completion, -0.12 EPA per dropback, -4.30 total passing EPA. K. Stewart (Pittsburgh Steelers), 57.7% completion, +0.02 EPA per dropback, +0.51 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
T. Maddox (Pittsburgh Steelers) led the game in total EPA with +4.33 on passing plays. across 13 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+4.64 EPA): (1:26) 30-J.White right guard to PIT 13 for 54 yards (27-B.Alexander).. The biggest win-probability swing was -41.6%.
Was Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers a close game?
Yes — the margin was 3 points. Pittsburgh Steelers won 16-13 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
Cleveland Browns
Entered 2-1 Now 2-2 L
Pittsburgh Steelers
Entered 0-2 Now 1-2 W
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