Game story
In Week 17 of the 2016 NFL season on 2017-01-01, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the Cleveland Browns, pulling away with a 27–24 final that came down to the wire.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
R.Griffin III (Cleveland Browns) paced the passing game, with +5.23 total EPA, and +8.4% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, L. Jones (Pittsburgh Steelers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +9.62 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-44.4% win probability) landed in overtime when Cleveland Browns changed the game: (7:21) (Field Goal formation) 3-C.Parkey 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q4 | OT | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Browns | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 24 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 0 | 7 | 14 | 6 | 0 | 27 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 L. Jones · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +9.62 total EPA · 43 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
- 2 T.Pryor Sr. · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +5.74 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
- 3 C. Hamilton · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +5.50 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.37 EPA/play
- 4 R.Griffin III · Cleveland Browns · Passing · +5.23 total EPA · 46 snaps · +0.11 EPA/play
- 5 G. Barnidge · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +3.73 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.75 EPA/play
- 6 R. Louis · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +3.37 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.68 EPA/play
- 7 D. Ayers · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +3.28 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
- 8 D. Williams · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.85 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.71 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
L. Jones — PIT · Passing
L. Jones posted the highest total EPA (+9.62) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Pittsburgh Steelers's efficiency. Across 43 counted snaps, they averaged +0.22 EPA per play.
The signature play (+5.49 EPA) came from Cleveland Browns: (4:26) (Shotgun) 34-I.Crowell up the middle to PIT 5 for 67 yards (28-S.Davis, 25-A.Burns).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Cleveland Browns — S. DeValve (R. Griffin pass)
- Cleveland Browns — G. Barnidge (R. Griffin pass)
- Pittsburgh Steelers — D. Williams (L. Jones pass)
- Pittsburgh Steelers — D. Williams
- Pittsburgh Steelers — D. Ayers (L. Jones pass)
- Cleveland Browns — G. Atkinson
- Pittsburgh Steelers — C. Hamilton (L. Jones pass)
Field goals
- Cleveland Browns — C. Parkey
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 7–0. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the PIT 12 (Q1 52:57) — (7:57) 10-R.Griffin pass short right to 87-S.DeValve for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q1 52:48) — 3-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..
The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the PIT 4 (Q2 39:25) — (9:25) (Shotgun) 10-R.Griffin pass short right to 82-G.Barnidge for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q2 39:21) — 3-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CLE 11 (Q2 30:39) — (:39) (Shotgun) 3-L.Jones pass short right to 34-D.Williams for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q2 30:31) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry..
The fourth quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 14–7. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CLE 1 (Q4 13:25) — (13:25) 74-C.Hubbard reported in as eligible. 34-D.Williams left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q4 13:21) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CLE 11 (Q4 5:21) — (5:21) (Shotgun) 3-L.Jones pass short right to 15-D.Ayers for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q4 5:14) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the PIT 5 (Q4 3:33) — (3:33) (Shotgun) 25-G.Atkinson III up the middle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q4 3:28) — 3-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..
Overtime: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 6–3. Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the PIT 16 (OT 7:21) — (7:21) (Field Goal formation) 3-C.Parkey 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CLE 26 (OT 3:04) — (3:04) (Shotgun) 3-L.Jones pass deep left to 83-C.Hamilton for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Cleveland Browns (OT 7:21) — (7:21) (Field Goal formation) 3-C.Parkey 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 1:04) — (1:04) (Shotgun) 34-I.Crowell up the middle to PIT 3 for 2 yards (95-J.Jones). FUMBLES (95-J.Jones), RECOVERED by PIT-23-M.Mitchell at PIT 3. 23-M.Mitchell to PIT 3 for no gain (73-J.Thomas).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (OT 3:04) — (3:04) (Shotgun) 3-L.Jones pass deep left to 83-C.Hamilton for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 4:26) — (4:26) (Shotgun) 34-I.Crowell up the middle to PIT 5 for 67 yards (28-S.Davis, 25-A.Burns).
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 1:12) — (1:12) (Shotgun) 10-R.Griffin pass deep left to 11-T.Pryor Sr. pushed ob at PIT 5 for 43 yards (23-M.Mitchell).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 4:26) — (4:26) (Shotgun) 34-I.Crowell up the middle to PIT 5 for 67 yards (28-S.Davis, 25-A.Burns).
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 1:04) — (1:04) (Shotgun) 34-I.Crowell up the middle to PIT 3 for 2 yards (95-J.Jones). FUMBLES (95-J.Jones), RECOVERED by PIT-23-M.Mitchell at PIT 3. 23-M.Mitchell to PIT 3 for no gain (73-J.Thomas).
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 32:06) — (2:06) (Shotgun) 10-R.Griffin FUMBLES (Aborted) at CLE 48, RECOVERED by PIT-28-S.Davis at CLE 37. 28-S.Davis to CLE 37 for no gain (10-R.Griffin).
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 33:46) — (3:46) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 10-R.Griffin pass short middle intended for 81-R.Higgins INTERCEPTED by 50-R.Shazier at PIT 2. 50-R.Shazier to PIT 2 for no gain (87-S.DeValve). PENALTY on PIT-62-J.Maxey,
Quarterback report card
R.Griffin III led all passers in efficiency for Cleveland Browns, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- R.Griffin III (Cleveland Browns) · 46 dropbacks · 63.0% completion · +8.4% CPOE · +0.11 EPA/play · +5.23 total EPA
- L.Jones (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 43 dropbacks · 55.8% completion · +4.8% CPOE · +0.22 EPA/play · +9.62 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Cleveland Browns | Pittsburgh Steelers |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.010 | +0.021 |
| Offensive success rate | 50.5% | 39.6% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.114 | +0.224 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.064 | -0.227 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.021 | -0.010 |
| Defensive success rate | 60.4% | 49.5% |
By the numbers
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Cleveland Browns +0.01, Pittsburgh Steelers +0.02) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
- Cleveland Browns: 13 drives, +0.97 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 14 drives, +1.92 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.
- L. Jones (Pittsburgh Steelers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- R.Griffin III (CLE) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
- L. Jones (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.
- Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q1 52:57 · PIT 12 · Score 6-0
(7:57) 10-R.Griffin pass short right to 87-S.DeValve for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q1 52:48 · PIT 15 · Score 7-0
3-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt. - Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q2 39:25 · PIT 4 · Score 13-0
(9:25) (Shotgun) 10-R.Griffin pass short right to 82-G.Barnidge for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q2 39:21 · PIT 15 · Score 14-0
3-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 30:39 · CLE 11 · Score 14-6
(:39) (Shotgun) 3-L.Jones pass short right to 34-D.Williams for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 30:31 · CLE 15 · Score 14-7
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 13:25 · CLE 1 · Score 14-13
(13:25) 74-C.Hubbard reported in as eligible. 34-D.Williams left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 13:21 · CLE 15 · Score 14-14
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 5:21 · CLE 11 · Score 14-20
(5:21) (Shotgun) 3-L.Jones pass short right to 15-D.Ayers for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 5:14 · CLE 15 · Score 14-21
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry. - Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q4 3:33 · PIT 5 · Score 20-21
(3:33) (Shotgun) 25-G.Atkinson III up the middle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q4 3:28 · PIT 15 · Score 21-21
3-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt. - Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — OT 7:21 · PIT 16 · Score 24-21
(7:21) (Field Goal formation) 3-C.Parkey 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — OT 3:04 · CLE 26 · Score 24-27
(3:04) (Shotgun) 3-L.Jones pass deep left to 83-C.Hamilton for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns 27-24 in Week 17, 2016 on 2017-01-01.
What was the final score of Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
The final score was Cleveland Browns 24, Pittsburgh Steelers 27 (CLE 24-27 PIT) in Week 17, 2016 on 2017-01-01.
What was the score by quarter in Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Q1: Cleveland Browns 7, Pittsburgh Steelers 0; Q2: Cleveland Browns 7, Pittsburgh Steelers 7; Q4: Cleveland Browns 7, Pittsburgh Steelers 14; Q5: Cleveland Browns 3, Pittsburgh Steelers 6; Final: Cleveland Browns 24, Pittsburgh Steelers 27.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Cleveland Browns touchdown — S. DeValve (R. Griffin pass) (Q1 52:57) Cleveland Browns touchdown — G. Barnidge (R. Griffin pass) (Q2 39:25) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — D. Williams (L. Jones pass) (Q2 30:39) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — D. Williams (Q4 13:25) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — D. Ayers (L. Jones pass) (Q4 5:21) Cleveland Browns touchdown — G. Atkinson (Q4 3:33) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — C. Hamilton (L. Jones pass) (OT 3:04) Cleveland Browns field goal — C. Parkey (OT 7:21, 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?
R.Griffin III (Cleveland Browns), 63.0% completion, +8.4% CPOE, +0.11 EPA per dropback, +5.23 total passing EPA. L. Jones (Pittsburgh Steelers), 55.8% completion, +4.8% CPOE, +0.22 EPA per dropback, +9.62 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
L. Jones (Pittsburgh Steelers) led the game in total EPA with +9.62 on passing plays. across 43 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+5.49 EPA): (4:26) (Shotgun) 34-I.Crowell up the middle to PIT 5 for 67 yards (28-S.Davis, 25-A.Burns).. The biggest win-probability swing was -44.4%.
Was Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers a close game?
Yes — the margin was 3 points. Pittsburgh Steelers won 27-24 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
Cleveland Browns
Entered 1-14 Now 1-15 L
Pittsburgh Steelers
Entered 10-5 Now 11-5 W
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