Game story
In Week 12 of the 2003 NFL season on 2003-11-23, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the Cleveland Browns, pulling away with a 13–6 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 13 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
K. Holcomb (Cleveland Browns) paced the passing game, with -6.52 total EPA.
On the individual side, An. Davis (Cleveland Browns) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +4.43 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-24.5% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Cleveland Browns changed the game: (13:39) 29-J.Jackson left guard to PIT 26 for 2 yards (31-M.Logan). FUMBLES (31-M.Logan), RECOVERED by PIT-96-K.Clancy at PIT 26. 96-K.Clancy to PIT 26 for no gain (66-P.Zukauskas).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 0 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| Cleveland Browns | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 An. Davis · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +4.43 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.48 EPA/play
- 2 J. Jackson · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +2.57 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play
- 3 D. Northcutt · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +2.07 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.69 EPA/play
- 4 Q. Morgan · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +2.04 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.04 EPA/play
- 5 D. Kreider · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +1.89 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.95 EPA/play
- 6 J. White · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +1.68 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.24 EPA/play
- 7 M. Bruener · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +1.60 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.60 EPA/play
- 8 A. King · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +1.51 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.75 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
An. Davis — CLE · Receiving
An. Davis posted the highest total EPA (+4.43) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Cleveland Browns's efficiency. Across 3 counted snaps, they averaged +1.48 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.43 EPA) came from Cleveland Browns: (4:30) 30-J.White to CLE 34 for -2 yards. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by PIT-27-B.Alexander at CLE 24. 27-B.Alexander to CLE 22 for 2 yards (10-K.Holcomb).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Pittsburgh Steelers — M. Bruener (T. Maddox pass)
Field goals
- Cleveland Browns — P. Dawson
- Cleveland Browns — P. Dawson
- Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Reed
- Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Reed
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 3–0. Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the PIT 10 (Q1 53:47) — (8:47) 4-P.Dawson 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-17-C.Gardocki..
The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 10–3. Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the PIT 14 (Q2 44:55) — (14:55) 4-P.Dawson 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CLE 1 (Q2 36:33) — (6:33) 8-T.Maddox pass to 87-M.Bruener for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q2 36:28) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the CLE 4 (Q2 32:13) — (2:13) 3-J.Reed 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox..
The fourth quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 3–0. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the CLE 27 (Q4 8:41) — (8:41) 3-J.Reed 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 13:39) — (13:39) 29-J.Jackson left guard to PIT 26 for 2 yards (31-M.Logan). FUMBLES (31-M.Logan), RECOVERED by PIT-96-K.Clancy at PIT 26. 96-K.Clancy to PIT 26 for no gain (66-P.Zukauskas).
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 34:30) — (4:30) 30-J.White to CLE 34 for -2 yards. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by PIT-27-B.Alexander at CLE 24. 27-B.Alexander to CLE 22 for 2 yards (10-K.Holcomb).
- Cleveland Browns (Q3 17:38) — (2:38) (Shotgun) 10-K.Holcomb pass intended for 87-An. Davis INTERCEPTED by 27-B.Alexander at PIT -2. 27-B.Alexander to PIT 32 for 34 yards (79-B.Stokes).
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 14:21) — (14:21) (Shotgun) 10-K.Holcomb pass to 30-J.White to PIT 28 for 22 yards (24-I.Taylor, 27-B.Alexander).
- Cleveland Browns (Q3 21:43) — (6:43) 86-D.Northcutt left guard to PIT 1 for no gain (30-C.Scott). Holcomb hands off to Morgan who handed off to Northcutt. Play Challenged by CLE and Upheld. (Timeout #1 by CLE at 06:36.)
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 34:30) — (4:30) 30-J.White to CLE 34 for -2 yards. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by PIT-27-B.Alexander at CLE 24. 27-B.Alexander to CLE 22 for 2 yards (10-K.Holcomb).
- Cleveland Browns (Q3 17:38) — (2:38) (Shotgun) 10-K.Holcomb pass intended for 87-An. Davis INTERCEPTED by 27-B.Alexander at PIT -2. 27-B.Alexander to PIT 32 for 34 yards (79-B.Stokes).
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 39:37) — (9:37) 29-J.Jackson to CLE 13 for -3 yards. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by PIT-51-J.Farrior at CLE 17.
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 13:39) — (13:39) 29-J.Jackson left guard to PIT 26 for 2 yards (31-M.Logan). FUMBLES (31-M.Logan), RECOVERED by PIT-96-K.Clancy at PIT 26. 96-K.Clancy to PIT 26 for no gain (66-P.Zukauskas).
Quarterback report card
K.Holcomb led all passers in efficiency for Cleveland Browns, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- K.Holcomb (Cleveland Browns) · 49 dropbacks · 51.0% completion · -0.13 EPA/play · -6.52 total EPA
- T.Maddox (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 28 dropbacks · 32.1% completion · -0.17 EPA/play · -4.90 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Pittsburgh Steelers | Cleveland Browns |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.168 | -0.254 |
| Offensive success rate | 38.8% | 43.0% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.175 | -0.133 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.153 | -0.611 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.254 | +0.168 |
| Defensive success rate | 57.0% | 61.3% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Pittsburgh Steelers generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.17 vs -0.25), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Cleveland Browns: 14 drives, -23.59 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 13 drives, -13.48 total EPA, 3 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.
- An. Davis (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 FG (+3) — Q1 53:47 · PIT 10 · Score 0-3
(8:47) 4-P.Dawson 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-17-C.Gardocki. - Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q2 44:55 · PIT 14 · Score 0-6
(14:55) 4-P.Dawson 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-17-C.Gardocki. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 36:33 · CLE 1 · Score 6-6
(6:33) 8-T.Maddox pass to 87-M.Bruener for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 36:28 · CLE 2 · Score 7-6
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox. - Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q2 32:13 · CLE 4 · Score 10-6
(2:13) 3-J.Reed 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox. - Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q4 8:41 · CLE 27 · Score 13-6
(8:41) 3-J.Reed 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns?
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns 13-6 in Week 12, 2003 on 2003-11-23.
What was the final score of Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns?
The final score was Pittsburgh Steelers 13, Cleveland Browns 6 (PIT 13-6 CLE) in Week 12, 2003 on 2003-11-23.
What was the score by quarter in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns?
Q1: Pittsburgh Steelers 0, Cleveland Browns 3; Q2: Pittsburgh Steelers 10, Cleveland Browns 3; Q4: Pittsburgh Steelers 3, Cleveland Browns 0; Final: Pittsburgh Steelers 13, Cleveland Browns 6.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns?
Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — M. Bruener (T. Maddox pass) (Q2 36:33) Cleveland Browns field goal — P. Dawson (Q1 53:47, 3 pts) Cleveland Browns field goal — P. Dawson (Q2 44:55, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — J. Reed (Q2 32:13, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — J. Reed (Q4 8:41, 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. Holcomb (Cleveland Browns), 51.0% completion, -0.13 EPA per dropback, -6.52 total passing EPA. T. Maddox (Pittsburgh Steelers), 32.1% completion, -0.17 EPA per dropback, -4.90 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns?
An. Davis (Cleveland Browns) led the game in total EPA with +4.43 on receiving plays. across 3 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.43 EPA): (4:30) 30-J.White to CLE 34 for -2 yards. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by PIT-27-B.Alexander at CLE 24. 27-B.Alexander to CLE 22 for 2 yards (10-K.Holcomb).. The biggest win-probability swing was -24.5%.
Was Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns a close game?
Yes — the margin was 7 points. Pittsburgh Steelers won 13-6 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Pittsburgh Steelers
Entered 3-7 Now 4-7 W
Cleveland Browns
Entered 4-6 Now 4-7 L
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