Game story
In Week 17 of the 2012 NFL season on 2012-12-30, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the Cleveland Browns, pulling away with a 24–10 final that built a comfortable lead.
The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
T. Lewis (Cleveland Browns) paced the passing game, with -7.73 total EPA, and +6.8% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +7.10 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-14.6% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Cleveland Browns changed the game: (3:55) 9-T.Lewis pass short right intended for 80-T.Benjamin INTERCEPTED by 43-T.Polamalu at PIT 16. 43-T.Polamalu ran ob at PIT 17 for 1 yard.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Browns | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 10 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +7.10 total EPA · 28 snaps · +0.25 EPA/play
- 2 R. Ventrone · Cleveland Browns · Rushing · +4.91 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.91 EPA/play
- 3 G. Little · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +4.91 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.98 EPA/play
- 4 A. Brown · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +3.72 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.24 EPA/play
- 5 P. Burress · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +3.18 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.06 EPA/play
- 6 J. Cotchery · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.03 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.68 EPA/play
- 7 B. Jackson · Cleveland Browns · Rushing · +1.74 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
- 8 B. Watson · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +1.22 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.15 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
B. Roethlisberger — PIT · Passing
B. Roethlisberger posted the highest total EPA (+7.10) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Pittsburgh Steelers's efficiency. Across 28 counted snaps, they averaged +0.25 EPA per play.
The signature play (+4.91 EPA) came from Cleveland Browns: (12:43) (Punt formation) Direct snap to 41-R.Ventrone. 41-R.Ventrone up the middle to PIT 40 for 35 yards (84-A.Brown).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Pittsburgh Steelers — L. Pope (B. Roethlisberger pass)
- Cleveland Browns — G. Little (T. Lewis pass)
- Pittsburgh Steelers — A. Brown (B. Roethlisberger pass)
- Pittsburgh Steelers — P. Burress (B. Roethlisberger pass)
Field goals
- Pittsburgh Steelers — S. Suisham
- Cleveland Browns — P. Dawson
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 10–3. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the CLE 23 (Q2 37:57) — (7:57) (Field Goal formation) 6-S.Suisham 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Butler.; Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the PIT 33 (Q2 33:52) — (3:52) (Field Goal formation) 4-P.Dawson 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-C.Yount, Holder-2-R.Hodges.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CLE 1 (Q2 30:53) — (:53) 62-J.Malecki reported in as eligible. 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle to 45-L.Pope for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q2 30:47) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Butler..
The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the PIT 7 (Q3 26:14); Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q3 26:03) — 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-57-C.Yount, Holder-2-R.Hodges.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CLE 9 (Q3 19:41) — (4:41) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle to 84-A.Brown for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN [58-L.Fort].; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q3 19:39).
The fourth quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CLE 12 (Q4 3:25) — (3:25) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 80-P.Burress for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q4 3:20) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Butler..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Cleveland Browns (Q1 48:55) — (3:55) 9-T.Lewis pass short right intended for 80-T.Benjamin INTERCEPTED by 43-T.Polamalu at PIT 16. 43-T.Polamalu ran ob at PIT 17 for 1 yard.
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 31:51) — (1:51) 9-T.Lewis pass short left to 13-J.Gordon to CLE 25 for no gain (28-C.Allen). FUMBLES (28-C.Allen), RECOVERED by PIT-94-L.Timmons at CLE 25. 94-L.Timmons to CLE 24 for 1 yard (77-J.Greco).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 19:41) — (4:41) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle to 84-A.Brown for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN [58-L.Fort].
- Cleveland Browns (Q3 27:43) — (12:43) (Punt formation) Direct snap to 41-R.Ventrone. 41-R.Ventrone up the middle to PIT 40 for 35 yards (84-A.Brown).
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 6:40) — (6:40) 9-T.Lewis pass short right to 80-T.Benjamin to CLE 48 for 13 yards (28-C.Allen). FUMBLES (28-C.Allen), RECOVERED by PIT-28-C.Allen at CLE 48. 28-C.Allen to CLE 27 for 21 yards (55-A.Mack). The
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Cleveland Browns (Q3 27:43) — (12:43) (Punt formation) Direct snap to 41-R.Ventrone. 41-R.Ventrone up the middle to PIT 40 for 35 yards (84-A.Brown).
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 6:40) — (6:40) 9-T.Lewis pass short right to 80-T.Benjamin to CLE 48 for 13 yards (28-C.Allen). FUMBLES (28-C.Allen), RECOVERED by PIT-28-C.Allen at CLE 48. 28-C.Allen to CLE 27 for 21 yards (55-A.Mack). The
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 31:51) — (1:51) 9-T.Lewis pass short left to 13-J.Gordon to CLE 25 for no gain (28-C.Allen). FUMBLES (28-C.Allen), RECOVERED by PIT-94-L.Timmons at CLE 25. 94-L.Timmons to CLE 24 for 1 yard (77-J.Greco).
- Cleveland Browns (Q1 48:55) — (3:55) 9-T.Lewis pass short right intended for 80-T.Benjamin INTERCEPTED by 43-T.Polamalu at PIT 16. 43-T.Polamalu ran ob at PIT 17 for 1 yard.
Quarterback report card
T.Lewis led all passers in efficiency for Cleveland Browns, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- T.Lewis (Cleveland Browns) · 37 dropbacks · 59.5% completion · +6.8% CPOE · -0.21 EPA/play · -7.73 total EPA
- B.Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 28 dropbacks · 53.6% completion · +5.5% CPOE · +0.25 EPA/play · +7.10 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Cleveland Browns | Pittsburgh Steelers |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.124 | +0.048 |
| Offensive success rate | 41.2% | 45.7% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.263 | +0.253 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.112 | -0.185 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.048 | +0.124 |
| Defensive success rate | 54.3% | 58.8% |
By the numbers
Pittsburgh Steelers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.05 vs -0.12), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Cleveland Browns: 11 drives, -9.92 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 11 drives, +3.33 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. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- T. Lewis (CLE) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
- B. Roethlisberger (PIT) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q2 37:57 · CLE 23 · Score 0-3
(7:57) (Field Goal formation) 6-S.Suisham 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Butler. - Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q2 33:52 · PIT 33 · Score 3-3
(3:52) (Field Goal formation) 4-P.Dawson 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-C.Yount, Holder-2-R.Hodges. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 30:53 · CLE 1 · Score 3-9
(:53) 62-J.Malecki reported in as eligible. 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle to 45-L.Pope for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 30:47 · CLE 2 · Score 3-10
6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Butler. - Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q3 26:14 · PIT 7 · Score 9-10
(11:14) 9-T.Lewis pass short left to 15-G.Little for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN [92-J.Harrison]. PENALTY on PIT-92-J.Harrison, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enforced b - Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q3 26:03 · PIT 2 · Score 10-10
4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-57-C.Yount, Holder-2-R.Hodges. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 19:41 · CLE 9 · Score 10-16
(4:41) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle to 84-A.Brown for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN [58-L.Fort]. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 19:39 · CLE 2 · Score 10-17
6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Butler. PENALTY on CLE-71-A.Rubin, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced between downs. Pena - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 3:25 · CLE 12 · Score 10-23
(3:25) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 80-P.Burress for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 3:20 · CLE 2 · Score 10-24
6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Butler.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns 24-10 in Week 17, 2012 on 2012-12-30.
What was the final score of Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
The final score was Cleveland Browns 10, Pittsburgh Steelers 24 (CLE 10-24 PIT) in Week 17, 2012 on 2012-12-30.
What was the score by quarter in Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Q2: Cleveland Browns 3, Pittsburgh Steelers 10; Q3: Cleveland Browns 7, Pittsburgh Steelers 7; Q4: Cleveland Browns 0, Pittsburgh Steelers 7; Final: Cleveland Browns 10, Pittsburgh Steelers 24.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — L. Pope (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q2 30:53) Cleveland Browns touchdown — G. Little (T. Lewis pass) (Q3 26:14) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — A. Brown (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q3 19:41) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — P. Burress (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q4 3:25) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — S. Suisham (Q2 37:57, 3 pts) Cleveland Browns field goal — P. Dawson (Q2 33:52, 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. Lewis (Cleveland Browns), 59.5% completion, +6.8% CPOE, -0.21 EPA per dropback, -7.73 total passing EPA. B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers), 53.6% completion, +5.5% CPOE, +0.25 EPA per dropback, +7.10 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) led the game in total EPA with +7.10 on passing plays. across 28 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+4.91 EPA): (12:43) (Punt formation) Direct snap to 41-R.Ventrone. 41-R.Ventrone up the middle to PIT 40 for 35 yards (84-A.Brown).. The biggest win-probability swing was -14.6%.
Season records after this game
Cleveland Browns
Entered 5-10 Now 5-11 L
Pittsburgh Steelers
Entered 7-8 Now 8-8 W
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