Game story
In Week 1 of the 2017 NFL season on 2017-09-10, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the Cleveland Browns, pulling away with a 21–18 final that came down to the wire.
The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
D. Kizer (Cleveland Browns) paced the passing game, with +3.38 total EPA, and +5.5% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, A. Brown (Pittsburgh Steelers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +10.87 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+14.4% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Cleveland Browns changed the game: (3:40) (Shotgun) 7-D.Kizer pass short left to 19-C.Coleman for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PIT-27-J.Wilcox was injured during the play. PENALTY on PIT-27-J.Wilcox, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced be
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
| Cleveland Browns | 7 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 18 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 A. Brown · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +10.87 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.99 EPA/play
- 2 B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +6.27 total EPA · 40 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
- 3 J. James · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +5.64 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.70 EPA/play
- 4 C. Coleman · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +4.13 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.69 EPA/play
- 5 D. Kizer · Cleveland Browns · Passing · +3.38 total EPA · 43 snaps · +0.08 EPA/play
- 6 D. Njoku · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +3.03 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.52 EPA/play
- 7 I. Crowell · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +2.44 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.22 EPA/play
- 8 S. DeValve · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +2.43 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.49 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 (+10.87) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Pittsburgh Steelers's efficiency. Across 11 counted snaps, they averaged +0.99 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.31 EPA) came from Cleveland Browns: (1:24) 7-D.Kizer pass short left intended for 82-K.Williams INTERCEPTED by 90-T.Watt at PIT 17. 90-T.Watt pushed ob at PIT 34 for 17 yards (75-J.Bitonio).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Pittsburgh Steelers — B. Colquitt
- Cleveland Browns — D. Kizer
- Pittsburgh Steelers — J. James (B. Roethlisberger pass)
- Pittsburgh Steelers — J. James (B. Roethlisberger pass)
- Cleveland Browns — C. Coleman (D. Kizer pass)
Field goals
- Cleveland Browns — Z. Gonzalez
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the PIT 84 (Q1 57:52) — (12:52) 4-B.Colquitt punt is BLOCKED by 44-T.Matakevich, Center-47-C.Hughlett, RECOVERED by PIT-56-A.Chickillo at CLE -8. TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q1 57:44) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the PIT 1 (Q1 45:24) — (:24) 7-D.Kizer up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q1 45:22) — 5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..
The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CLE 4 (Q2 30:49) — (:49) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle to 81-J.James for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q2 30:45) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry..
The third quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–3. Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the PIT 6 (Q3 24:31) — (9:31) (Field Goal formation) 5-Z.Gonzalez 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CLE 2 (Q3 20:43) — (5:43) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle to 81-J.James for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q3 20:37) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry..
The fourth quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 8–0. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the PIT 3 (Q4 3:40); Cleveland Browns registered a safety from the PIT 2 (Q4 3:36) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 34-I.Crowell rushes left guard. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 3:40) — (3:40) (Shotgun) 7-D.Kizer pass short left to 19-C.Coleman for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PIT-27-J.Wilcox was injured during the play. PENALTY on PIT-27-J.Wilcox, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced be
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 2:47) — (2:47) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left to 84-A.Brown to CLE 44 for 38 yards (30-J.McCourty). Cleveland challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld. The ruling on the fie
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 32:44) — (2:44) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 84-A.Brown to CLE 39 for 50 yards (26-D.Kindred). 60
- Cleveland Browns (Q3 16:24) — (1:24) 7-D.Kizer pass short left intended for 82-K.Williams INTERCEPTED by 90-T.Watt at PIT 17. 90-T.Watt pushed ob at PIT 34 for 17 yards (75-J.Bitonio).
- Cleveland Browns (Q1 57:52) — (12:52) 4-B.Colquitt punt is BLOCKED by 44-T.Matakevich, Center-47-C.Hughlett, RECOVERED by PIT-56-A.Chickillo at CLE -8. TOUCHDOWN.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Cleveland Browns (Q3 16:24) — (1:24) 7-D.Kizer pass short left intended for 82-K.Williams INTERCEPTED by 90-T.Watt at PIT 17. 90-T.Watt pushed ob at PIT 34 for 17 yards (75-J.Bitonio).
- Cleveland Browns (Q1 57:52) — (12:52) 4-B.Colquitt punt is BLOCKED by 44-T.Matakevich, Center-47-C.Hughlett, RECOVERED by PIT-56-A.Chickillo at CLE -8. TOUCHDOWN.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 12:18) — (12:18) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle intended for 10-M.Bryant INTERCEPTED by 26-D.Kindred (20-B.Boddy-Calhoun) at CLE 1. 26-D.Kindred to CLE 31 for 30 yards (19-J.Smith-Schuster).
- Cleveland Browns (Q4 3:40) — (3:40) (Shotgun) 7-D.Kizer pass short left to 19-C.Coleman for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PIT-27-J.Wilcox was injured during the play. PENALTY on PIT-27-J.Wilcox, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced be
Quarterback report card
D.Kizer led all passers in efficiency for Cleveland Browns, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- D.Kizer (Cleveland Browns) · 43 dropbacks · 46.5% completion · +5.5% CPOE · +0.08 EPA/play · +3.38 total EPA
- B.Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 40 dropbacks · 60.0% completion · -1.7% CPOE · +0.16 EPA/play · +6.27 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Pittsburgh Steelers | Cleveland Browns |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.045 | -0.106 |
| Offensive success rate | 35.5% | 43.0% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.157 | +0.078 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.331 | -0.291 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.106 | +0.045 |
| Defensive success rate | 57.0% | 64.5% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Pittsburgh Steelers generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.04 vs -0.11), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Cleveland Browns: 11 drives, -8.38 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 11 drives, -3.39 total EPA, 2 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.
- D. Kizer (CLE) 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 57:52 · PIT 84 · Score 6-0
(12:52) 4-B.Colquitt punt is BLOCKED by 44-T.Matakevich, Center-47-C.Hughlett, RECOVERED by PIT-56-A.Chickillo at CLE -8. TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 57:44 · CLE 15 · Score 7-0
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry. - Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q1 45:24 · PIT 1 · Score 7-6
(:24) 7-D.Kizer up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q1 45:22 · PIT 15 · Score 7-7
5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 30:49 · CLE 4 · Score 13-7
(:49) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle to 81-J.James for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 30:45 · CLE 15 · Score 14-7
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry. - Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q3 24:31 · PIT 6 · Score 14-10
(9:31) (Field Goal formation) 5-Z.Gonzalez 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 20:43 · CLE 2 · Score 20-10
(5:43) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle to 81-J.James for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 20:37 · CLE 15 · Score 21-10
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry. - Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q4 3:40 · PIT 3 · Score 21-16
(3:40) (Shotgun) 7-D.Kizer pass short left to 19-C.Coleman for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PIT-27-J.Wilcox was injured during the play. PENALTY on PIT-27-J.Wilcox, Unne - Cleveland Browns Safety (+2) — Q4 3:36 · PIT 2 · Score 21-18
TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 34-I.Crowell rushes left guard. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns?
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns 21-18 in Week 1, 2017 on 2017-09-10.
What was the final score of Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns?
The final score was Pittsburgh Steelers 21, Cleveland Browns 18 (PIT 21-18 CLE) in Week 1, 2017 on 2017-09-10.
What was the score by quarter in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns?
Q1: Pittsburgh Steelers 7, Cleveland Browns 7; Q2: Pittsburgh Steelers 7, Cleveland Browns 0; Q3: Pittsburgh Steelers 7, Cleveland Browns 3; Q4: Pittsburgh Steelers 0, Cleveland Browns 8; Final: Pittsburgh Steelers 21, Cleveland Browns 18.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns?
Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — B. Colquitt (Q1 57:52) Cleveland Browns touchdown — D. Kizer (Q1 45:24) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — J. James (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q2 30:49) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — J. James (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q3 20:43) Cleveland Browns touchdown — C. Coleman (D. Kizer pass) (Q4 3:40) Cleveland Browns field goal — Z. Gonzalez (Q3 24:31, 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?
D. Kizer (Cleveland Browns), 46.5% completion, +5.5% CPOE, +0.08 EPA per dropback, +3.38 total passing EPA. B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers), 60.0% completion, -1.7% CPOE, +0.16 EPA per dropback, +6.27 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 +10.87 on receiving plays. across 11 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.31 EPA): (1:24) 7-D.Kizer pass short left intended for 82-K.Williams INTERCEPTED by 90-T.Watt at PIT 17. 90-T.Watt pushed ob at PIT 34 for 17 yards (75-J.Bitonio).. The biggest win-probability swing was +14.4%.
Was Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns a close game?
Yes — the margin was 3 points. Pittsburgh Steelers won 21-18 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
Pittsburgh Steelers
Now 1-0 W
Cleveland Browns
Now 0-1 L
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