Game story
In Week 3 of the 2000 NFL season on 2000-09-17, the Cleveland Browns took care of business against the Pittsburgh Steelers, pulling away with a 23–20 final that came down to the wire.
The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 20 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
K. Graham (Pittsburgh Steelers) paced the passing game, with -4.05 total EPA.
On the individual side, T. Couch (Cleveland Browns) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.02 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+57.2% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Cleveland Browns changed the game: K.Brown kicks 70 yards from PIT 30 to CLE 0. D.Patten to CLE 38 for 38 yards (D.Townsend).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 0 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Cleveland Browns | 20 | 0 | 3 | 15 | 0 | 23 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 T. Couch · Cleveland Browns · Passing · +11.02 total EPA · 32 snaps · +0.34 EPA/play
- 2 J. Bettis · Pittsburgh Steelers · Rushing · +7.27 total EPA · 24 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
- 3 D. Patten · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +6.26 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.56 EPA/play
- 4 B. Shaw · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +5.74 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.43 EPA/play
- 5 K. Johnson · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +4.12 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.03 EPA/play
- 6 D. Northcutt · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +3.49 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.75 EPA/play
- 7 M. Edwards · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +2.78 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.78 EPA/play
- 8 H. Ward · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +1.90 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
T. Couch — CLE · Passing
T. Couch posted the highest total EPA (+11.02) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Cleveland Browns's efficiency. Across 32 counted snaps, they averaged +0.34 EPA per play.
The signature play (+5.01 EPA) came from Cleveland Browns: (6:57) T.Couch pass to K.Johnson pushed ob at PIT 13 for 79 yards (S.Shields).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Cleveland Browns — unlisted player
- Cleveland Browns — unlisted player
- Pittsburgh Steelers — unlisted player
- Pittsburgh Steelers — unlisted player
Field goals
- Pittsburgh Steelers — unlisted player
- Pittsburgh Steelers — unlisted player
- Cleveland Browns — unlisted player
- Cleveland Browns — unlisted player
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 20–0. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the PIT 57 (Q1 59:09) — (14:09) E.Rhett to CLE 45 for 2 yards.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the PIT 2 (Q1 59:49) — (14:49) T.Couch pass to A.Shea for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q1 55:34) — P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-R.Kuehl, Holder-C.Gardocki.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the PIT 21 (Q1 52:35) — (7:35) T.Couch pass to M.Edwards for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q1 48:35) — P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-R.Kuehl, Holder-C.Gardocki..
The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 10–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CLE 4 (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) R.Huntley right tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q2 43:34) — K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Schneck, Holder-K.Graham.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the CLE 23 (Q2 31:55) — (1:55) K.Brown 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Schneck, Holder-K.Graham..
The third quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 10–3. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the CLE 13 (Q3 28:05) — (13:05) K.Brown 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Schneck, Holder-K.Graham.; Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the PIT 5 (Q3 27:39) — (12:39) P.Dawson 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-R.Kuehl, Holder-C.Gardocki.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CLE 10 (Q3 25:12) — (10:12) J.Bettis up the middle for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q3 20:47) — K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Schneck, Holder-K.Graham..
The fourth quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 15–0. Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the PIT 10 (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) P.Dawson 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-R.Kuehl, Holder-C.Gardocki.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the PIT 1 (Q4 2:48) — (2:48) P.Dawson 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-R.Kuehl, Holder-C.Gardocki.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the CLE 6 (Q4 0:30) — (:30) K.Graham pass incomplete..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Cleveland Browns (Q1 60:00) — K.Brown kicks 70 yards from PIT 30 to CLE 0. D.Patten to CLE 38 for 38 yards (D.Townsend).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 0:14) — (:14) K.Graham sacked at CLE 10 for -4 yards (C.Brown).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 2:45) — (2:45) K.Graham pass to B.Shaw to CLE 36 for 29 yards (D.McCutcheon).
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) T.Couch pass to D.Patten to PIT 26 for 36 yards (A.Battles).
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 6:57) — (6:57) T.Couch pass to K.Johnson pushed ob at PIT 13 for 79 yards (S.Shields).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 6:57) — (6:57) T.Couch pass to K.Johnson pushed ob at PIT 13 for 79 yards (S.Shields).
- Cleveland Browns (Q3 20:47) — (5:47) T.Couch pass to D.Chiaverini to CLE 31 for 2 yards (J.Gildon). FUMBLES (J.Gildon), RECOVERED by PIT-C.Scott at CLE 29. C.Scott to CLE 23 for 6 yards (C.Brown).
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) T.Couch pass to D.Patten to PIT 26 for 36 yards (A.Battles).
- Cleveland Browns (Q3 15:55) — (:55) T.Prentice right tackle to CLE 37 for -2 yards (K.Henry).
Quarterback report card
K.Graham led all passers in efficiency for Pittsburgh Steelers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- K.Graham (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 35 dropbacks · 37.1% completion · -0.12 EPA/play · -4.05 total EPA
- T.Couch (Cleveland Browns) · 32 dropbacks · 71.9% completion · +0.34 EPA/play · +11.02 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Pittsburgh Steelers | Cleveland Browns |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.096 | +0.071 |
| Offensive success rate | 46.7% | 42.3% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.200 | +0.344 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.281 | -0.404 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.071 | -0.096 |
| Defensive success rate | 57.7% | 53.3% |
By the numbers
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Pittsburgh Steelers +0.10, Cleveland Browns +0.07) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
- Cleveland Browns: 11 drives, +5.05 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 11 drives, +8.61 total EPA, 4 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.
- One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
- T. Couch (Cleveland Browns) 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 TD (+6) — Q1 59:09 · PIT 57 · Score 0-6
(14:09) E.Rhett to CLE 45 for 2 yards. - Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q1 59:49 · PIT 2 · Score 0-6
(14:49) T.Couch pass to A.Shea for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q1 55:34 · PIT 2 · Score 0-7
P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-R.Kuehl, Holder-C.Gardocki. - Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q1 52:35 · PIT 21 · Score 0-13
(7:35) T.Couch pass to M.Edwards for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q1 48:35 · PIT 2 · Score 0-14
P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-R.Kuehl, Holder-C.Gardocki. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 45:00 · CLE 4 · Score 6-14
(15:00) R.Huntley right tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 43:34 · CLE 2 · Score 7-14
K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Schneck, Holder-K.Graham. - Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q2 31:55 · CLE 23 · Score 10-14
(1:55) K.Brown 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Schneck, Holder-K.Graham. - Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q3 28:05 · CLE 13 · Score 13-14
(13:05) K.Brown 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Schneck, Holder-K.Graham. - Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q3 27:39 · PIT 5 · Score 13-17
(12:39) P.Dawson 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-R.Kuehl, Holder-C.Gardocki. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 25:12 · CLE 10 · Score 19-17
(10:12) J.Bettis up the middle for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 20:47 · CLE 2 · Score 20-17
K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Schneck, Holder-K.Graham. - Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q4 15:00 · PIT 10 · Score 20-20
(15:00) P.Dawson 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-R.Kuehl, Holder-C.Gardocki. - Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q4 2:48 · PIT 1 · Score 20-23
(2:48) P.Dawson 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-R.Kuehl, Holder-C.Gardocki. - Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q4 0:30 · CLE 6 · Score 20-23
(:30) K.Graham pass incomplete.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns?
The Cleveland Browns beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 23-20 in Week 3, 2000 on 2000-09-17.
What was the final score of Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns?
The final score was Pittsburgh Steelers 20, Cleveland Browns 23 (PIT 20-23 CLE) in Week 3, 2000 on 2000-09-17.
What was the score by quarter in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns?
Q1: Pittsburgh Steelers 0, Cleveland Browns 20; Q2: Pittsburgh Steelers 10, Cleveland Browns 0; Q3: Pittsburgh Steelers 10, Cleveland Browns 3; Q4: Pittsburgh Steelers 0, Cleveland Browns 15; Final: Pittsburgh Steelers 20, Cleveland Browns 23.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns?
Cleveland Browns touchdown — unlisted player (Q1 59:49) Cleveland Browns touchdown — unlisted player (Q1 52:35) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — unlisted player (Q2 45:00) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — unlisted player (Q3 25:12) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — unlisted player (Q2 31:55, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — unlisted player (Q3 28:05, 3 pts) Cleveland Browns field goal — unlisted player (Q3 27:39, 3 pts) Cleveland Browns field goal — unlisted player (Q4 15:00, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns?
K. Graham (Pittsburgh Steelers), 37.1% completion, -0.12 EPA per dropback, -4.05 total passing EPA. T. Couch (Cleveland Browns), 71.9% completion, +0.34 EPA per dropback, +11.02 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns?
T. Couch (Cleveland Browns) led the game in total EPA with +11.02 on passing plays. across 32 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+5.01 EPA): (6:57) T.Couch pass to K.Johnson pushed ob at PIT 13 for 79 yards (S.Shields).. The biggest win-probability swing was +57.2%.
Was Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns a close game?
Yes — the margin was 3 points. Cleveland Browns won 23-20 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
Pittsburgh Steelers
Entered 0-1 Now 0-2 L
Cleveland Browns
Entered 1-1 Now 2-1 W
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