Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 2020 Week 18 Recap

Game story

In Week 18 of the 2020 NFL season on 2021-01-10, the Cleveland Browns took care of business against the Pittsburgh Steelers, pulling away with a 48–37 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 28 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) paced the passing game, with +5.20 total EPA, and +4.2% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, B. Mayfield (Cleveland Browns) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +12.97 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-22.0% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Pittsburgh Steelers changed the game: (14:54) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger Aborted. 53-M.Pouncey FUMBLES at PIT 22, touched at PIT 2, RECOVERED by CLE-42-K.Joseph at PIT -2. TOUCHDOWN.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 B. Mayfield · Cleveland Browns · Passing · +12.97 total EPA · 38 snaps · +0.34 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Smith-Schuster · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +8.51 total EPA · 20 snaps · +0.43 EPA/play
3. 3 J. Landry · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +6.87 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.86 EPA/play
4. 4 N. Chubb · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +5.93 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.48 EPA/play
5. 5 B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +5.20 total EPA · 73 snaps · +0.07 EPA/play
6. 6 C. Claypool · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +4.77 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.68 EPA/play
7. 7 K. Hunt · Cleveland Browns · Rushing · +2.88 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Conner · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.86 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.41 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Cleveland Browns — B. Roethlisberger (Q1 59:54)
• Cleveland Browns — J. Landry (B. Mayfield pass) (Q1 54:55)
• Cleveland Browns — K. Hunt (Q1 49:47)
• Cleveland Browns — K. Hunt (Q1 47:01)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Conner (Q2 31:47)
• Cleveland Browns — A. Hooper (B. Mayfield pass) (Q2 30:37)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — E. Ebron (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q3 22:28)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Smith-Schuster (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q3 18:01)
• Cleveland Browns — N. Chubb (B. Mayfield pass) (Q4 12:41)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — C. Claypool (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q4 11:13)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — C. Claypool (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q4 1:13)

Field goals

• Pittsburgh Steelers — C. Boswell (Q2 30:05)
• Cleveland Browns — C. Parkey (Q4 4:31)
• Cleveland Browns — C. Parkey (Q4 2:55)

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 28–0. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the CLE 78 (Q1 59:54); Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q1 59:46) — 2-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the PIT 40 (Q1 54:55) — (9:55) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short middle to 80-J.Landry for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q1 54:46) — 2-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the PIT 11 (Q1 49:47) — (4:47) 27-K.Hunt left tackle for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q1 49:40) — 2-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the PIT 8 (Q1 47:01) — (2:01) (Shotgun) 27-K.Hunt left end for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q1 46:56) — 2-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan..

The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 10–7. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CLE 1 (Q2 31:47) — (1:47) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 30-J.Conner right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q2 31:44) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the PIT 7 (Q2 30:37) — (:37) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right to 81-A.Hooper for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q2 30:34) — 2-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the CLE 31 (Q2 30:05) — (:05) 9-C.Boswell 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry..

The third quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 13–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CLE 17 (Q3 22:28) — (7:28) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 85-E.Ebron for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CLE 5 (Q3 18:01) — (3:01) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 19-J.Smith-Schuster for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q3 17:57) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry..

The fourth quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 14–13. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the PIT 40 (Q4 12:41) — (12:41) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short middle to 24-N.Chubb for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q4 12:32) — 2-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CLE 29 (Q4 11:13) — (11:13) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 11-C.Claypool for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the PIT 6 (Q4 4:31) — (4:31) 2-C.Parkey 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.; Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the PIT 19 (Q4 2:55) — (2:55) 2-C.Parkey 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CLE 7 (Q4 1:13) — (1:13) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 11-C.Claypool for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers registered a safety from the CLE 2 (Q4 1:09) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 30-J.Conner is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 59:54) — (14:54) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger Aborted. 53-M.Pouncey FUMBLES at PIT 22, touched at PIT 2, RECOVERED by CLE-42-K.Joseph at PIT -2. TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -22.0% · EPA -8.03]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 55:53) — (10:53) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle intended for 24-B.Snell INTERCEPTED by 36-M.Stewart Jr. [42-K.Joseph] at PIT 49. 36-M.Stewart Jr. to PIT 46 for 3 yards (53-M.Pouncey). [WPA -9.3% · EPA -5.75]
• Cleveland Browns (Q1 54:55) — (9:55) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short middle to 80-J.Landry for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +6.7% · EPA +4.78]
• Cleveland Browns (Q1 47:01) — (2:01) (Shotgun) 27-K.Hunt left end for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +4.5% · EPA +2.52]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 48:33) — (3:33) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle intended for 18-Di.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 29-S.Redwine at PIT 45. 29-S.Redwine ran ob at PIT 15 for 30 yards (71-M.Feiler; 53-M.Pouncey). [WPA -4.1% · EPA -5.40]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 59:54) — (14:54) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger Aborted. 53-M.Pouncey FUMBLES at PIT 22, touched at PIT 2, RECOVERED by CLE-42-K.Joseph at PIT -2. TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -22.0% · EPA -8.03]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 55:53) — (10:53) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle intended for 24-B.Snell INTERCEPTED by 36-M.Stewart Jr. [42-K.Joseph] at PIT 49. 36-M.Stewart Jr. to PIT 46 for 3 yards (53-M.Pouncey). [WPA -9.3% · EPA -5.75]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 3:25) — (3:25) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle intended for 85-E.Ebron INTERCEPTED by 44-S.Takitaki at PIT 48. 44-S.Takitaki pushed ob at PIT 25 for 23 yards (78-A.Villanueva). [WPA -0.2% · EPA -5.50]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 48:33) — (3:33) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle intended for 18-Di.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 29-S.Redwine at PIT 45. 29-S.Redwine ran ob at PIT 15 for 30 yards (71-M.Feiler; 53-M.Pouncey). [WPA -4.1% · EPA -5.40]

Quarterback report card

B.Roethlisberger led all passers in efficiency for Pittsburgh Steelers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• B.Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 73 dropbacks · 64.4% completion · +4.2% CPOE · +0.07 EPA/play · +5.20 total EPA
• B.Mayfield (Cleveland Browns) · 38 dropbacks · 55.3% completion · -6.7% CPOE · +0.34 EPA/play · +12.97 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Cleveland Browns generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.16 vs -0.04), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Cleveland Browns: 14 drives, +13.42 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
• Pittsburgh Steelers: 14 drives, -4.05 total EPA, 7 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Cleveland Browns leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• B. Mayfield (Cleveland Browns) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• B. Roethlisberger (PIT) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• B. Mayfield (CLE) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q1 59:54 · CLE 78 · Score 6-0
   (14:54) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger Aborted. 53-M.Pouncey FUMBLES at PIT 22, touched at PIT 2, RECOVERED by CLE-42-K.Joseph at PIT -2. TOUCHDOWN.
2. Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q1 59:46 · PIT 15 · Score 7-0
   2-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.
3. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q1 54:55 · PIT 40 · Score 13-0
   (9:55) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short middle to 80-J.Landry for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q1 54:46 · PIT 15 · Score 14-0
   2-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.
5. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q1 49:47 · PIT 11 · Score 20-0
   (4:47) 27-K.Hunt left tackle for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q1 49:40 · PIT 15 · Score 21-0
   2-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.
7. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q1 47:01 · PIT 8 · Score 27-0
   (2:01) (Shotgun) 27-K.Hunt left end for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q1 46:56 · PIT 15 · Score 28-0
   2-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 31:47 · CLE 1 · Score 28-6
   (1:47) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 30-J.Conner right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 31:44 · CLE 15 · Score 28-7
    9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.
11. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q2 30:37 · PIT 7 · Score 34-7
    (:37) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right to 81-A.Hooper for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q2 30:34 · PIT 15 · Score 35-7
    2-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q2 30:05 · CLE 31 · Score 35-10
    (:05) 9-C.Boswell 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 22:28 · CLE 17 · Score 35-16
    (7:28) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 85-E.Ebron for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 18:01 · CLE 5 · Score 35-22
    (3:01) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 19-J.Smith-Schuster for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 17:57 · CLE 15 · Score 35-23
    9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.
17. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q4 12:41 · PIT 40 · Score 41-23
    (12:41) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short middle to 24-N.Chubb for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q4 12:32 · PIT 15 · Score 42-23
    2-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.
19. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 11:13 · CLE 29 · Score 42-29
    (11:13) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 11-C.Claypool for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
20. Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q4 4:31 · PIT 6 · Score 45-29
    (4:31) 2-C.Parkey 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.
21. Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q4 2:55 · PIT 19 · Score 48-29
    (2:55) 2-C.Parkey 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 1:13 · CLE 7 · Score 48-35
    (1:13) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 11-C.Claypool for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers Safety (+2) — Q4 1:09 · CLE 2 · Score 48-37
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 30-J.Conner is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.