Game story
In Week 17 of the 2011 NFL season on 2012-01-01, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the Cleveland Browns, pulling away with a 13–9 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 13 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) paced the passing game, with +4.56 total EPA, and -2.8% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, A. Brown (Pittsburgh Steelers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +5.62 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-34.4% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Cleveland Browns changed the game: (:05) (Shotgun) 6-S.Wallace pass incomplete deep right to 15-G.Little (43-T.Polamalu).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q2 | Q3 | — | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 3 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| Cleveland Browns | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 A. Brown · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +5.62 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play
- 2 J. Cribbs · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +5.29 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.53 EPA/play
- 3 B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +4.56 total EPA · 44 snaps · +0.10 EPA/play
- 4 H. Miller · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.78 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.93 EPA/play
- 5 C. Mitchell · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +1.39 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.39 EPA/play
- 6 R. Mendenhall · Pittsburgh Steelers · Rushing · +0.73 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.09 EPA/play
- 7 D. Johnson · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +0.70 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.70 EPA/play
- 8 R. Mendenhall · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +0.37 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
A. Brown — PIT · Receiving
A. Brown posted the highest total EPA (+5.62) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Pittsburgh Steelers's efficiency. Across 10 counted snaps, they averaged +0.56 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.29 EPA) came from Pittsburgh Steelers: (12:52) 33-I.Redman up the middle to CLE 49 for no gain (51-C.Gocong). FUMBLES (51-C.Gocong), RECOVERED by CLE-27-E.Hagg at CLE 42. PENALTY on PIT-77-M.Gilbert, Face Mask (15 Yards), 15 yards, enforced at CLE 42.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Pittsburgh Steelers — I. Redman
Field goals
- Cleveland Browns — P. Dawson
- Cleveland Browns — P. Dawson
- Pittsburgh Steelers — S. Suisham
- Pittsburgh Steelers — S. Suisham
- Cleveland Browns — P. Dawson
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The second quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 6–3. Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the PIT 8 (Q2 36:07) — (6:07) 4-P.Dawson 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-C.Yount, Holder-7-B.Maynard.; Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the PIT 27 (Q2 31:11) — (1:11) (Field Goal formation) 4-P.Dawson 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-C.Yount, Holder-7-B.Maynard.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the CLE 1 (Q2 30:04) — (:04) 6-S.Suisham 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos..
The third quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 10–3. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the CLE 11 (Q3 24:47) — (9:47) 6-S.Suisham 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CLE 7 (Q3 20:32) — (5:32) 33-I.Redman right guard for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CLE 2 (Q3 20:27) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos.; Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the PIT 31 (Q3 17:04) — (2:04) 4-P.Dawson 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-C.Yount, Holder-7-B.Maynard..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 0:05) — (:05) (Shotgun) 6-S.Wallace pass incomplete deep right to 15-G.Little (43-T.Polamalu).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 12:52) — (12:52) 33-I.Redman up the middle to CLE 49 for no gain (51-C.Gocong). FUMBLES (51-C.Gocong), RECOVERED by CLE-27-E.Hagg at CLE 42. PENALTY on PIT-77-M.Gilbert, Face Mask (15 Yards), 15 yards, enforce
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 0:41) — (:41) 6-S.Wallace spiked the ball to stop the clock.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 6:03) — (6:03) 33-I.Redman right tackle to CLE 39 for 22 yards (20-M.Adams; 23-J.Haden). FUMBLES (20-M.Adams), RECOVERED by CLE-23-J.Haden at CLE 39. 23-J.Haden to CLE 39 for no gain (77-M.Gilbert). CLE-28-U.
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 0:41) — (:41) (Shotgun) 6-S.Wallace pass deep left to 18-C.Mitchell to PIT 36 for 19 yards (25-R.Clark).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 12:52) — (12:52) 33-I.Redman up the middle to CLE 49 for no gain (51-C.Gocong). FUMBLES (51-C.Gocong), RECOVERED by CLE-27-E.Hagg at CLE 42. PENALTY on PIT-77-M.Gilbert, Face Mask (15 Yards), 15 yards, enforce
- Cleveland Browns (Q3 23:27) — (8:27) 6-S.Wallace pass short right intended for 89-E.Moore INTERCEPTED by 43-T.Polamalu at CLE 43. 43-T.Polamalu to CLE 43 for no gain (89-E.Moore).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 40:03) — (10:03) 6-S.Suisham 45 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 6:03) — (6:03) 33-I.Redman right tackle to CLE 39 for 22 yards (20-M.Adams; 23-J.Haden). FUMBLES (20-M.Adams), RECOVERED by CLE-23-J.Haden at CLE 39. 23-J.Haden to CLE 39 for no gain (77-M.Gilbert). CLE-28-U.
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) · 44 dropbacks · 52.3% completion · -2.8% CPOE · +0.10 EPA/play · +4.56 total EPA
- S.Wallace (Cleveland Browns) · 43 dropbacks · 37.2% completion · -19.6% CPOE · -0.21 EPA/play · -8.94 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Pittsburgh Steelers | Cleveland Browns |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.072 | -0.174 |
| Offensive success rate | 48.5% | 35.7% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.104 | -0.208 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.249 | -0.338 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.174 | +0.072 |
| Defensive success rate | 64.3% | 51.5% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Pittsburgh Steelers generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.07 vs -0.17), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Cleveland Browns: 11 drives, -12.15 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 11 drives, -6.94 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.
- A. Brown (Pittsburgh Steelers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- S. Wallace (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.
- Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q2 36:07 · PIT 8 · Score 0-3
(6:07) 4-P.Dawson 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-C.Yount, Holder-7-B.Maynard. - Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q2 31:11 · PIT 27 · Score 0-6
(1:11) (Field Goal formation) 4-P.Dawson 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-C.Yount, Holder-7-B.Maynard. - Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q2 30:04 · CLE 1 · Score 3-6
(:04) 6-S.Suisham 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos. - Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q3 24:47 · CLE 11 · Score 6-6
(9:47) 6-S.Suisham 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 20:32 · CLE 7 · Score 12-6
(5:32) 33-I.Redman right guard for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 20:27 · CLE 2 · Score 13-6
6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-13-J.Kapinos. - Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q3 17:04 · PIT 31 · Score 13-9
(2:04) 4-P.Dawson 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-C.Yount, Holder-7-B.Maynard.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns?
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns 13-9 in Week 17, 2011 on 2012-01-01.
What was the final score of Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns?
The final score was Pittsburgh Steelers 13, Cleveland Browns 9 (PIT 13-9 CLE) in Week 17, 2011 on 2012-01-01.
What was the score by quarter in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns?
Q2: Pittsburgh Steelers 3, Cleveland Browns 6; Q3: Pittsburgh Steelers 10, Cleveland Browns 3; Final: Pittsburgh Steelers 13, Cleveland Browns 9.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns?
Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — I. Redman (Q3 20:32) Cleveland Browns field goal — P. Dawson (Q2 36:07, 3 pts) Cleveland Browns field goal — P. Dawson (Q2 31:11, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — S. Suisham (Q2 30:04, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — S. Suisham (Q3 24:47, 3 pts) Cleveland Browns field goal — P. Dawson (Q3 17:04, 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?
B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers), 52.3% completion, -2.8% CPOE, +0.10 EPA per dropback, +4.56 total passing EPA. S. Wallace (Cleveland Browns), 37.2% completion, -19.6% CPOE, -0.21 EPA per dropback, -8.94 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns?
A. Brown (Pittsburgh Steelers) led the game in total EPA with +5.62 on receiving plays. across 10 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.29 EPA): (12:52) 33-I.Redman up the middle to CLE 49 for no gain (51-C.Gocong). FUMBLES (51-C.Gocong), RECOVERED by CLE-27-E.Hagg at CLE 42. PENALTY on PIT-77-M.Gilbert, Face Mask (15 Yards. The biggest win-probability swing was -34.4%.
Was Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns a close game?
Yes — the margin was 4 points. Pittsburgh Steelers won 13-9 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Pittsburgh Steelers
Entered 11-4 Now 12-4 W
Cleveland Browns
Entered 4-11 Now 4-12 L
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