Game story
In Week 17 of the 2010 NFL season on 2011-01-02, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the Cleveland Browns, pulling away with a 41–9 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 20 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
C. McCoy (Cleveland Browns) paced the passing game, with -6.41 total EPA, and -10.1% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +22.28 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+14.4% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Pittsburgh Steelers changed the game: (14:25) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 17-M.Wallace for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 14 | 17 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 41 |
| Cleveland Browns | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 9 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +22.28 total EPA · 24 snaps · +0.93 EPA/play
- 2 M. Wallace · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +9.02 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.80 EPA/play
- 3 H. Ward · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +5.74 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.96 EPA/play
- 4 A. Brown · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +4.38 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.10 EPA/play
- 5 H. Miller · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +4.23 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play
- 6 B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Rushing · +3.50 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.75 EPA/play
- 7 A.Randle El · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +3.24 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.08 EPA/play
- 8 A.Randle El · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +2.52 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.52 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 (+22.28) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Pittsburgh Steelers's efficiency. Across 24 counted snaps, they averaged +0.93 EPA per play.
The signature play (+5.32 EPA) came from Pittsburgh Steelers: (14:25) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 17-M.Wallace for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Pittsburgh Steelers — M. Wallace (B. Roethlisberger pass)
- Pittsburgh Steelers — R. Mendenhall
- Pittsburgh Steelers — R. Mendenhall
- Pittsburgh Steelers — H. Miller (B. Roethlisberger pass)
- Pittsburgh Steelers — H. Ward
- Cleveland Browns — B. Robiskie (C. McCoy pass)
Field goals
- Cleveland Browns — P. Dawson
- Pittsburgh Steelers — S. Suisham
- Pittsburgh Steelers — S. Suisham
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 14–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CLE 56 (Q1 59:25) — (14:25) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 17-M.Wallace for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q1 59:17) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CLE 1 (Q1 52:00) — (7:00) 34-R.Mendenhall right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q1 51:57) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos..
The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 17–3. Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the PIT 2 (Q2 44:45) — (14:45) (Field Goal formation) 4-P.Dawson 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-2-R.Hodges.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CLE 1 (Q2 37:55) — (7:55) 34-R.Mendenhall right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q2 37:51) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CLE 4 (Q2 34:58) — (4:58) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 83-H.Miller for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q2 34:53) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the CLE 23 (Q2 31:34) — (1:34) (Field Goal formation) 6-S.Suisham 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos..
The third quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CLE 3 (Q3 22:24); Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q3 22:18) — (Kick formation) 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos..
The fourth quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 6–3. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the CLE 6 (Q4 12:35) — (12:35) (Field Goal formation) 6-S.Suisham 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the PIT 20 (Q4 6:43) — (6:43) (Shotgun) 12-C.McCoy pass deep right to 80-B.Robiskie for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 59:25) — (14:25) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 17-M.Wallace for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Cleveland Browns (Q1 59:33) — (14:33) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-C.McCoy pass short right intended for 82-B.Watson INTERCEPTED by 43-T.Polamalu at PIT 44. 43-T.Polamalu to PIT 44 for no gain (82-B.Watson).
- Cleveland Browns (Q1 46:16) — (1:16) (Shotgun) 12-C.McCoy pass short left to 11-M.Massaquoi to PIT 5 for 31 yards (92-J.Harrison).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 55:53) — (10:53) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 86-H.Ward to PIT 40 for 8 yards (20-M.Adams).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 54:10) — (9:10) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 17-M.Wallace to CLE 12 for 41 yards (26-A.Elam, 36-C.Francies).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 59:25) — (14:25) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 17-M.Wallace for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Cleveland Browns (Q1 59:33) — (14:33) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-C.McCoy pass short right intended for 82-B.Watson INTERCEPTED by 43-T.Polamalu at PIT 44. 43-T.Polamalu to PIT 44 for no gain (82-B.Watson).
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 6:43) — (6:43) (Shotgun) 12-C.McCoy pass deep right to 80-B.Robiskie for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Cleveland Browns (Q2 36:39) — (6:39) (Shotgun) 12-C.McCoy pass deep right intended for 11-M.Massaquoi INTERCEPTED by 25-R.Clark at CLE 47. 25-R.Clark to CLE 24 for 23 yards (82-B.Watson). Cleveland challenged the incomplete pass r
Quarterback report card
C.McCoy led all passers in efficiency for Cleveland Browns, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- C.McCoy (Cleveland Browns) · 49 dropbacks · 40.8% completion · -10.1% CPOE · -0.13 EPA/play · -6.41 total EPA
- B.Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 24 dropbacks · 62.5% completion · +9.8% CPOE · +0.93 EPA/play · +22.28 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Pittsburgh Steelers | Cleveland Browns |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.373 | -0.101 |
| Offensive success rate | 54.5% | 40.2% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.770 | -0.157 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.049 | -0.171 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.101 | -0.373 |
| Defensive success rate | 59.8% | 45.5% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Pittsburgh Steelers generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.37 vs -0.10), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Cleveland Browns: 10 drives, -8.28 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 9 drives, +28.72 total EPA, 7 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.
- C. McCoy (CLE) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
- 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 TD (+6) — Q1 59:25 · CLE 56 · Score 6-0
(14:25) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 17-M.Wallace for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 59:17 · CLE 2 · Score 7-0
6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 52:00 · CLE 1 · Score 13-0
(7:00) 34-R.Mendenhall right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 51:57 · CLE 2 · Score 14-0
6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos. - Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q2 44:45 · PIT 2 · Score 14-3
(14:45) (Field Goal formation) 4-P.Dawson 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-64-R.Pontbriand, Holder-2-R.Hodges. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 37:55 · CLE 1 · Score 20-3
(7:55) 34-R.Mendenhall right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 37:51 · CLE 2 · Score 21-3
6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 34:58 · CLE 4 · Score 27-3
(4:58) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 83-H.Miller for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 34:53 · CLE 2 · Score 28-3
6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos. - Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q2 31:34 · CLE 23 · Score 31-3
(1:34) (Field Goal formation) 6-S.Suisham 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 22:24 · CLE 3 · Score 37-3
(7:24) 82-A.Randle El pass short right to 86-H.Ward for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PIT 82 (A. Randle El) End Around from Pitch Out from PIT 7 (B. Roethlisberger), PIT - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 22:18 · CLE 2 · Score 38-3
(Kick formation) 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos. - Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q4 12:35 · CLE 6 · Score 41-3
(12:35) (Field Goal formation) 6-S.Suisham 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos. - Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q4 6:43 · PIT 20 · Score 41-9
(6:43) (Shotgun) 12-C.McCoy pass deep right to 80-B.Robiskie for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns?
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns 41-9 in Week 17, 2010 on 2011-01-02.
What was the final score of Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns?
The final score was Pittsburgh Steelers 41, Cleveland Browns 9 (PIT 41-9 CLE) in Week 17, 2010 on 2011-01-02.
What was the score by quarter in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns?
Q1: Pittsburgh Steelers 14, Cleveland Browns 0; Q2: Pittsburgh Steelers 17, Cleveland Browns 3; Q3: Pittsburgh Steelers 7, Cleveland Browns 0; Q4: Pittsburgh Steelers 3, Cleveland Browns 6; Final: Pittsburgh Steelers 41, Cleveland Browns 9.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns?
Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — M. Wallace (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q1 59:25) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — R. Mendenhall (Q1 52:00) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — R. Mendenhall (Q2 37:55) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — H. Miller (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q2 34:58) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — H. Ward (Q3 22:24) Cleveland Browns touchdown — B. Robiskie (C. McCoy pass) (Q4 6:43) Cleveland Browns field goal — P. Dawson (Q2 44:45, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — S. Suisham (Q2 31:34, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — S. Suisham (Q4 12:35, 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?
C. McCoy (Cleveland Browns), 40.8% completion, -10.1% CPOE, -0.13 EPA per dropback, -6.41 total passing EPA. B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers), 62.5% completion, +9.8% CPOE, +0.93 EPA per dropback, +22.28 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns?
B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) led the game in total EPA with +22.28 on passing plays. across 24 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+5.32 EPA): (14:25) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 17-M.Wallace for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was +14.4%.
Season records after this game
Pittsburgh Steelers
Entered 11-4 Now 12-4 W
Cleveland Browns
Entered 5-10 Now 5-11 L