Game story
In Week 17 of the 2008 NFL season on 2008-12-28, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the Cleveland Browns, pulling away with a 31–0 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
B. Gradkowski (Cleveland Browns) paced the passing game, with -23.72 total EPA, and -38.7% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, B. Leftwich (Pittsburgh Steelers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +7.95 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-12.2% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Pittsburgh Steelers changed the game: (:59) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle intended for 83-H.Miller INTERCEPTED by 26-S.Jones at CLE 6. 26-S.Jones to CLE 9 for 3 yards (83-H.Miller).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Browns | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 14 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 31 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 B. Leftwich · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +7.95 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.66 EPA/play
- 2 H. Ward · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +5.16 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.86 EPA/play
- 3 H. Miller · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +4.69 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.94 EPA/play
- 4 N. Washington · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.38 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.38 EPA/play
- 5 G. Russell · Pittsburgh Steelers · Rushing · +2.22 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play
- 6 D. Stallworth · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +1.96 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.96 EPA/play
- 7 M. Rucker · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +1.38 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.38 EPA/play
- 8 C. Davis · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +1.32 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.32 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
B. Leftwich — PIT · Passing
B. Leftwich posted the highest total EPA (+7.95) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Pittsburgh Steelers's efficiency. Across 12 counted snaps, they averaged +0.66 EPA per play.
The signature play (-7.64 EPA) came from Cleveland Browns: (8:52) 7-B.Gradkowski pass short right intended for 31-J.Lewis INTERCEPTED by 23-T.Carter at CLE 32. 23-T.Carter for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Pittsburgh Steelers — W. Parker
- Pittsburgh Steelers — B. Leftwich
- Pittsburgh Steelers — G. Russell
- Pittsburgh Steelers — T. Carter
Field goals
- Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Retkofsky
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 14–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CLE 34 (Q2 34:15) — (4:15) 39-W.Parker right tackle for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q2 34:07) — 3-Je.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-17-M.Berger.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CLE 8 (Q2 30:40) — (:40) 4-B.Leftwich scrambles up the middle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q2 30:32) — 3-Je.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-17-M.Berger..
The third quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 3–0. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the CLE 5 (Q3 20:39) — (5:39) 3-Je.Reed 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-17-M.Berger..
The fourth quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 14–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CLE 3 (Q4 9:45) — (9:45) 33-G.Russell right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q4 9:41); Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the PIT 67 (Q4 8:52) — (8:52) 7-B.Gradkowski pass short right intended for 31-J.Lewis INTERCEPTED by 23-T.Carter at CLE 32. 23-T.Carter for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q4 8:43) — 3-Je.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-17-M.Berger..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 45:59) — (:59) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle intended for 83-H.Miller INTERCEPTED by 26-S.Jones at CLE 6. 26-S.Jones to CLE 9 for 3 yards (83-H.Miller).
- Cleveland Browns (Q1 48:43) — (3:43) (Field Goal formation) 4-P.Dawson 53 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-15-D.Zastudil.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 39:01) — (9:01) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass incomplete short right to 10-S.Holmes (24-E.Wright). PENALTY on CLE-24-E.Wright, Defensive Pass Interference, 12 yards, enforced at PIT 48 - No Play.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 34:15) — (4:15) 39-W.Parker right tackle for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Cleveland Browns (Q1) — GAME Cleveland wins coin toss and defers to the second half. Pittsburgh receives and Cleveland defends south goal.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 8:52) — (8:52) 7-B.Gradkowski pass short right intended for 31-J.Lewis INTERCEPTED by 23-T.Carter at CLE 32. 23-T.Carter for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Cleveland Browns (Q3 22:47) — (7:47) (Shotgun) 7-B.Gradkowski pass short right intended for 35-J.Harrison INTERCEPTED by 23-T.Carter (20-B.McFadden) at CLE 30. 23-T.Carter to CLE 12 for 18 yards (73-J.Thomas; 47-L.Vickers).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 45:59) — (:59) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle intended for 83-H.Miller INTERCEPTED by 26-S.Jones at CLE 6. 26-S.Jones to CLE 9 for 3 yards (83-H.Miller).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 34:15) — (4:15) 39-W.Parker right tackle for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Quarterback report card
B.Gradkowski led all passers in efficiency for Cleveland Browns, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- B.Gradkowski (Cleveland Browns) · 20 dropbacks · 25.0% completion · -38.7% CPOE · -1.19 EPA/play · -23.72 total EPA
- B.Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 16 dropbacks · 56.2% completion · -5.4% CPOE · +0.05 EPA/play · +0.79 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Cleveland Browns | Pittsburgh Steelers |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.435 | +0.046 |
| Offensive success rate | 29.4% | 47.6% |
| Pass EPA/play | -1.037 | +0.287 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.125 | +0.013 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.046 | +0.435 |
| Defensive success rate | 52.4% | 70.6% |
By the numbers
Pittsburgh Steelers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.05 vs -0.43), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Cleveland Browns: 12 drives, -29.59 total EPA, 1 scoring drives
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 11 drives, +3.81 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.
- B. Leftwich (Pittsburgh Steelers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- B. Gradkowski (CLE) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
- B. Roethlisberger (PIT) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 34:15 · CLE 34 · Score 0-6
(4:15) 39-W.Parker right tackle for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 34:07 · CLE 2 · Score 0-7
3-Je.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-17-M.Berger. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 30:40 · CLE 8 · Score 0-13
(:40) 4-B.Leftwich scrambles up the middle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 30:32 · CLE 2 · Score 0-14
3-Je.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-17-M.Berger. - Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q3 20:39 · CLE 5 · Score 0-17
(5:39) 3-Je.Reed 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-17-M.Berger. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 9:45 · CLE 3 · Score 0-23
(9:45) 33-G.Russell right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 9:41 · CLE 2 · Score 0-24
3-Je.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-17-M.Berger. PENALTY on CLE, Defensive 12 On-field, 5 yards, enforced between downs. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 8:52 · PIT 67 · Score 0-30
(8:52) 7-B.Gradkowski pass short right intended for 31-J.Lewis INTERCEPTED by 23-T.Carter at CLE 32. 23-T.Carter for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 8:43 · CLE 2 · Score 0-31
3-Je.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-17-M.Berger.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns 31-0 in Week 17, 2008 on 2008-12-28.
What was the final score of Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
The final score was Cleveland Browns 0, Pittsburgh Steelers 31 (CLE 0-31 PIT) in Week 17, 2008 on 2008-12-28.
What was the score by quarter in Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Q2: Cleveland Browns 0, Pittsburgh Steelers 14; Q3: Cleveland Browns 0, Pittsburgh Steelers 3; Q4: Cleveland Browns 0, Pittsburgh Steelers 14; Final: Cleveland Browns 0, Pittsburgh Steelers 31.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — W. Parker (Q2 34:15) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — B. Leftwich (Q2 30:40) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — G. Russell (Q4 9:45) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — T. Carter (Q4 8:52) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — J. Retkofsky (Q3 20:39, 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?
B. Gradkowski (Cleveland Browns), 25.0% completion, -38.7% CPOE, -1.19 EPA per dropback, -23.72 total passing EPA. B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers), 56.2% completion, -5.4% CPOE, +0.05 EPA per dropback, +0.79 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
B. Leftwich (Pittsburgh Steelers) led the game in total EPA with +7.95 on passing plays. across 12 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-7.64 EPA): (8:52) 7-B.Gradkowski pass short right intended for 31-J.Lewis INTERCEPTED by 23-T.Carter at CLE 32. 23-T.Carter for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was -12.2%.
Season records after this game
Cleveland Browns
Entered 4-11 Now 4-12 L
Pittsburgh Steelers
Entered 11-4 Now 12-4 W
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