Browns 24–28 Steelers: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 17, 2017

Q: Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers?

R. Higgins (Cleveland Browns) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +8.12 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 4 snaps. Their top snap (+5.10 EPA): (7:22) (Shotgun) 7-D.Kizer pass short middle to 81-R.Higgins for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Quick answer

Winner: Pittsburgh Steelers
Final score: Pittsburgh Steelers 28–24 Cleveland Browns
Halftime: Cleveland Browns 14–21 Pittsburgh Steelers at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: Rashard Higgins
Top passer: D. Kizer
Biggest EPA play: 5-Z.Gonzalez kicks 61 yards from CLE 35 to PIT 4. 19-J.Smith-Schuster for 96 yards, TOUCHD…
Game date: 2017-12-31

Game summary

The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns 28–24 on 2017-12-31. Rashard Higgins posted a game-high +8.12 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 28 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	—	—	T
Cleveland Browns	0	14	10	0	0	24
Pittsburgh Steelers	7	14	7	0	0	28

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

CLECleveland Browns

CLE 29

CLE 20

PIT 2

CLE 4

PIT 56

PIT 5

CLE 35

+3PIT 33

PITPittsburgh Steelers

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

15 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q1 10:52TD
DHD. Heyward-Bey
Points+6
Yard line
CLE 29
Score
0-6
(10:52) (Shotgun) 88-D.Heyward-Bey right end for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Reverse. 33-Toussaint received the first hand-off.
PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q1 10:43XP
Chris Boswell
Points+1
Yard line
CLE 15
Score
0-7
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.
PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q2 13:32TD
JuJu Smith-Schuster
Points+6
Yard line
CLE 20
Score
0-13
(13:32) 3-L.Jones pass deep right to 19-J.Smith-Schuster for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q2 13:26XP
Chris Boswell
Points+1
Yard line
CLE 15
Score
0-14
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.
CLECleveland Browns
Q2 11:49TD
Dyontae Johnson
Points+6
Yard line
PIT 2
Score
6-14
(11:49) 29-D.Johnson Jr. up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
CLECleveland Browns
Q2 11:46XP
Zane Gonzalez
Points+1
Yard line
PIT 15
Score
7-14
5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q2 8:03TD
SRS. Ridley
Points+6
Yard line
CLE 4
Score
7-20
(8:03) 65-J.Hawkins reported in as eligible. 38-S.Ridley up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q2 7:59XP
Chris Boswell
Points+1
Yard line
CLE 15
Score
7-21
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.
CLECleveland Browns
Q2 7:22TD
Rashard Higgins
Points+6
Yard line
PIT 56
Score
13-21
(7:22) (Shotgun) 7-D.Kizer pass short middle to 81-R.Higgins for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
CLECleveland Browns
Q2 7:13XP
Zane Gonzalez
Points+1
Yard line
PIT 15
Score
14-21
5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
CLECleveland Browns
Q3 10:59TD
Rashard Higgins
Points+6
Yard line
PIT 5
Score
20-21
(10:59) (Shotgun) 7-D.Kizer pass short right to 81-R.Higgins for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
CLECleveland Browns
Q3 10:54XP
Zane Gonzalez
Points+1
Yard line
PIT 15
Score
21-21
5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q3 10:54TD
JuJu Smith-Schuster
Points+6
Yard line
CLE 35
Score
21-27
5-Z.Gonzalez kicks 61 yards from CLE 35 to PIT 4. 19-J.Smith-Schuster for 96 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q3 10:42XP
Chris Boswell
Points+1
Yard line
CLE 15
Score
21-28
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.
CLECleveland Browns
Q3 2:09FG
Zane Gonzalez
Points+3
Yard line
PIT 33
Score
24-28
(2:09) (Field Goal formation) 5-Z.Gonzalez 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1Rashard Higgins · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +8.12 total EPA · 4 snaps · +2.03 EPA/play
2D. Kizer · Cleveland Browns · Passing · +7.04 total EPA · 43 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
3J. Gordon · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +6.77 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.97 EPA/play
4JuJu Smith-Schuster · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +4.89 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.49 EPA/play
5D. Heyward-Bey · Pittsburgh Steelers · Rushing · +3.26 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.26 EPA/play
6Myles Bryant · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +3.13 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play
7Dyontae Johnson · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +1.57 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play
8F. Toussaint · Pittsburgh Steelers · Rushing · +1.31 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Rashard Higgins — CLE · Receiving

Rashard Higgins posted the highest total EPA (+8.12) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Cleveland Browns. Across 4 counted snaps, they averaged +2.03 EPA per play.

Rashard Higgins's top snap (+5.10 EPA): (7:22) (Shotgun) 7-D.Kizer pass short middle to 81-R.Higgins for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Biggest single play (+5.54 EPA): Zane Gonzalez — 5-Z.Gonzalez kicks 61 yards from CLE 35 to PIT 4. 19-J.Smith-Schuster for 96 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

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 · 37.2% completion · -6.9% CPOE · +0.16 EPA/play · +7.04 total EPA
Logan Jones (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 31 dropbacks · 74.2% completion · +18.4% CPOE · -0.04 EPA/play · -1.21 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	Cleveland Browns	Pittsburgh Steelers
Offensive EPA/play	+0.007	+0.031
Offensive success rate	37.8%	43.4%
Pass EPA/play	+0.164	-0.039
Rush EPA/play	-0.311	-0.082
Defensive EPA/play	-0.031	-0.007
Defensive success rate	56.6%	62.2%

Drive & efficiency notes

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Cleveland Browns +0.01, Pittsburgh Steelers +0.03) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

Cleveland Browns: +0.01 EPA/play (59th percentile vs. 2017 team-game averages)
Pittsburgh Steelers: +0.03 EPA/play (65th percentile vs. 2017 team-game averages)

Cleveland Browns: 12 drives, +0.61 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Pittsburgh Steelers: 13 drives, +2.38 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

Pittsburgh Steelers — D. Heyward-Bey (Q1 10:52)
Pittsburgh Steelers — JuJu Smith-Schuster (Logan Jones pass) (Q2 13:32)
Cleveland Browns — Dyontae Johnson (Q2 11:49)
Pittsburgh Steelers — S. Ridley (Q2 8:03)
Cleveland Browns — Rashard Higgins (D. Kizer pass) (Q2 7:22)
Cleveland Browns — Rashard Higgins (D. Kizer pass) (Q3 10:59)
Pittsburgh Steelers — JuJu Smith-Schuster (Q3 10:54)

Field goals

Cleveland Browns — Zane Gonzalez (Q3 2:09)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CLE 29 (Q1 10:52) — (10:52) (Shotgun) 88-D.Heyward-Bey right end for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Reverse. 33-Toussaint received the first hand-off.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q1 10:43) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 14–14. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CLE 20 (Q2 13:32) — (13:32) 3-L.Jones pass deep right to 19-J.Smith-Schuster for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q2 13:26) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the PIT 2 (Q2 11:49) — (11:49) 29-D.Johnson Jr. up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q2 11:46) — 5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CLE 4 (Q2 8:03) — (8:03) 65-J.Hawkins reported in as eligible. 38-S.Ridley up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q2 7:59) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the PIT 56 (Q2 7:22) — (7:22) (Shotgun) 7-D.Kizer pass short middle to 81-R.Higgins for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q2 7:13) — 5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..

The third quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 10–7. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the PIT 5 (Q3 10:59) — (10:59) (Shotgun) 7-D.Kizer pass short right to 81-R.Higgins for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q3 10:54) — 5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CLE 35 (Q3 10:54) — 5-Z.Gonzalez kicks 61 yards from CLE 35 to PIT 4. 19-J.Smith-Schuster for 96 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q3 10:42) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.; Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the PIT 33 (Q3 2:09) — (2:09) (Field Goal formation) 5-Z.Gonzalez 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

Cleveland Browns (Q4 1:54) — (1:54) (Shotgun) 7-D.Kizer pass incomplete short left to 19-C.Coleman. [WPA -23.5% · EPA -3.05]
Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 10:54) — 5-Z.Gonzalez kicks 61 yards from CLE 35 to PIT 4. 19-J.Smith-Schuster for 96 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +20.0% · EPA +5.54]
Cleveland Browns (Q4 6:55) — (6:55) (Shotgun) 7-D.Kizer pass deep left intended for 85-D.Njoku INTERCEPTED by 28-S.Davis [25-A.Burns] at CLE 47. 28-S.Davis to CLE 47 for no gain (81-R.Higgins). [WPA -14.9% · EPA -4.40]
Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 0:53) — (:53) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 3-L.Jones sacked at CLE 40 for -8 yards (95-M.Garrett). FUMBLES (95-M.Garrett) [95-M.Garrett], RECOVERED by CLE-99-C.Brantley at CLE 36. 99-C.Brantley to CLE 40 for 4 yards [WPA -13.5% · EPA -4.14]
Cleveland Browns (Q4 3:53) — (3:53) (Shotgun) 7-D.Kizer pass short middle to 12-J.Gordon to PIT 45 for 33 yards (21-J.Haden). [WPA +12.0% · EPA +2.76]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 10:54) — 5-Z.Gonzalez kicks 61 yards from CLE 35 to PIT 4. 19-J.Smith-Schuster for 96 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +20.0% · EPA +5.54]
Cleveland Browns (Q2 7:22) — (7:22) (Shotgun) 7-D.Kizer pass short middle to 81-R.Higgins for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.1% · EPA +5.10]
Cleveland Browns (Q4 6:55) — (6:55) (Shotgun) 7-D.Kizer pass deep left intended for 85-D.Njoku INTERCEPTED by 28-S.Davis [25-A.Burns] at CLE 47. 28-S.Davis to CLE 47 for no gain (81-R.Higgins). [WPA -14.9% · EPA -4.40]
Cleveland Browns (Q2 12:12) — (12:12) 7-D.Kizer pass deep right to 12-J.Gordon for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the runner was in bounds ruling, and the play was REVERSED. 7-D.Kizer pass deep right to 12-J.Gor [WPA +4.1% · EPA +4.16]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 10:52 · CLE 29 · Score 0-6
(10:52) (Shotgun) 88-D.Heyward-Bey right end for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Reverse. 33-Toussaint received the first hand-off.
Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 10:43 · CLE 15 · Score 0-7
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.
Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 13:32 · CLE 20 · Score 0-13
(13:32) 3-L.Jones pass deep right to 19-J.Smith-Schuster for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 13:26 · CLE 15 · Score 0-14
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.
Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q2 11:49 · PIT 2 · Score 6-14
(11:49) 29-D.Johnson Jr. up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q2 11:46 · PIT 15 · Score 7-14
5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 8:03 · CLE 4 · Score 7-20
(8:03) 65-J.Hawkins reported in as eligible. 38-S.Ridley up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 7:59 · CLE 15 · Score 7-21
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.
Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q2 7:22 · PIT 56 · Score 13-21
(7:22) (Shotgun) 7-D.Kizer pass short middle to 81-R.Higgins for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q2 7:13 · PIT 15 · Score 14-21
5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q3 10:59 · PIT 5 · Score 20-21
(10:59) (Shotgun) 7-D.Kizer pass short right to 81-R.Higgins for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q3 10:54 · PIT 15 · Score 21-21
5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 10:54 · CLE 35 · Score 21-27
5-Z.Gonzalez kicks 61 yards from CLE 35 to PIT 4. 19-J.Smith-Schuster for 96 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 10:42 · CLE 15 · Score 21-28
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.
Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q3 2:09 · PIT 33 · Score 24-28
(2:09) (Field Goal formation) 5-Z.Gonzalez 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.

Pittsburgh Steelers earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
Rashard Higgins (Cleveland Browns) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
D. Kizer (CLE) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers on 2017-12-31?

The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns 28-24 in Week 17, 2017.

What was the score by quarter in Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers?

Q1: Cleveland Browns 0, Pittsburgh Steelers 7; Q2: Cleveland Browns 14, Pittsburgh Steelers 14; Q3: Cleveland Browns 10, Pittsburgh Steelers 7; Final: Cleveland Browns 24, Pittsburgh Steelers 28.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers?

Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — D. Heyward-Bey (Q1 10:52) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — J. Smith-Schuster (L. Jones pass) (Q2 13:32) Cleveland Browns touchdown — D. Johnson (Q2 11:49) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — S. Ridley (Q2 8:03) Cleveland Browns touchdown — R. Higgins (D. Kizer pass) (Q2 7:22) Cleveland Browns touchdown — R. Higgins (D. Kizer pass) (Q3 10:59) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — J. Smith-Schuster (Q3 10:54) Cleveland Browns field goal — Z. Gonzalez (Q3 2:09, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers?

D. Kizer (Cleveland Browns), 37.2% completion, -6.9% CPOE, +0.16 EPA per dropback, +7.04 total passing EPA. Logan Jones (Pittsburgh Steelers), 74.2% completion, +18.4% CPOE, -0.04 EPA per dropback, -1.21 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers?

Rashard Higgins (Cleveland Browns) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +8.12 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 4 snaps. Their top snap (+5.10 EPA): (7:22) (Shotgun) 7-D.Kizer pass short middle to 81-R.Higgins for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Was Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers a close game?

Yes — the margin was 4 points. Pittsburgh Steelers won 28-24 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

Cleveland Browns

Entered 0-15 Now 0-16 L

Pittsburgh Steelers

Entered 12-3 Now 13-3 W

Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 2017 Week 17 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Browns

Top fantasy performers · Steelers

Quick answer

Game summary