Steelers vs Cleveland Browns Match Player Stats – Complete Dec 8, 2024 Analysis

The Pittsburgh Steelers dominated the Cleveland Browns 27-14 in their December 8, 2024 AFC North clash at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Key Takeaways

• Pittsburgh won despite being outgained 300-267 in total yardage thanks to superior execution on third downs (42.9% vs 15.4%)
• Russell Wilson threw for 158 yards and 2 TDs with no interceptions while Jameis Winston had 212 yards, 2 TDs but 2 costly picks
• Keeanu Benton’s second-quarter interception completely changed the game’s momentum
• Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins missed two field goals in windy conditions while Steelers’ Chris Boswell was perfect
• The victory improved Pittsburgh to 10-3 while dropping Cleveland to 3-10, essentially ending their playoff hopes

Game Context and Weather Impact

The matchup took place under clear skies with challenging 14 mph westerly winds blowing across Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh’s North Shore district.

These conditions would prove significant, especially for kicking specialists.

Official NFL game data shows this victory improved the Steelers to 10-3, solidifying their playoff position in the highly competitive AFC North.

The Browns dropped to 3-10, effectively ending their postseason hopes.

Key Stats Comparison: Efficiency vs Volume

What makes this Pittsburgh-Cleveland rivalry game particularly revealing is how the Steelers won despite Cleveland accumulating more raw yardage:

Stat Category	Browns	Steelers
Total Yards	300	267
Passing Yards	196	147
Rushing Yards	104	120
3rd Down Success	15.4% (2/13)	42.9% (6/14)
Red Zone TD %	33.3%	50.0%
Turnovers	3	1
Penalties	9 for 81 yards	6 for 61 yards

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The Steelers converted almost three times as many third downs as Cleveland.

They scored touchdowns on half their red zone trips compared to just a third for the Browns.

This situational execution ultimately proved more valuable than raw yardage totals.

Quarterback Duel: Wilson’s Efficiency vs Winston’s Volume

Russell Wilson’s Steady Performance

Russell Wilson (Steelers):

• 15/26 completions (57.7%)
• 158 passing yards
• 2 touchdowns
• 0 interceptions
• 101.1 passer rating
• Sacked only once
• 6 rushes for 17 yards

Wilson played without his top target George Pickens (sidelined with a groin injury) yet still delivered a clean, mistake-free performance.

His PFF grade of 77.2 included three “big-time throws” as detailed in Steelers Depot’s game analysis.

PFF grades (Pro Football Focus grades) rate individual player performances on a 0-100 scale based on film analysis of every play.

Jameis Winston’s Turnover Issues

Jameis Winston (Browns):

• 24/41 completions (58.5%)
• 212 passing yards
• 2 touchdowns
• 2 interceptions
• 68.3 passer rating
• Sacked 3 times
• 4 rushes for 28 yards

Winston accumulated more yards but his two costly interceptions proved to be game-changers.

The Steelers defense generated significant pressure throughout, with 16 quarterback pressures disrupting Winston’s rhythm.

Ground Game Analysis: Harris, Warren Lead Pittsburgh Attack

Steelers’ Two-Headed Monster

Steelers Rushing Attack:

• Najee Harris: 16 carries, 53 yards, 1 TD (3.3 avg)
• Jaylen Warren: 9 carries, 47 yards (5.2 avg), 2 receptions for 25 yards
• Cordarrelle Patterson: 4 carries, 3 yards, 1 fumble
• Team Total: 35 carries, 120 yards, 3.4 avg, 1 TD

Jaylen Warren posted the highest PFF grade (86.3) among all Steelers offensive players.

His performance was remarkable for generating 48 yards after contact on his 47 total rushing yards.

YAC (Yards After Contact) measures how many rushing yards a player gains after being touched by a defender, indicating their power and elusiveness.

Browns’ Running Back Situation

Browns Rushing Production:

• Nick Chubb: 11 carries, 48 yards (4.4 avg)
• Jerome Ford: 10 carries, 28 yards (2.8 avg), 3 receptions for 19 yards
• Team Total: 25 carries, 104 yards, 4.2 avg, 0 TD

Nick Chubb showed flashes in his return to Pittsburgh following his significant knee injury.

However, the Browns’ ground game failed to find the end zone, limiting their offensive impact.

Receiving Corps: Depth vs Star Power

Pittsburgh’s Team Effort

With Steelers top receiver George Pickens sidelined, the passing attack had to adapt:

Steelers Top Receivers:

• Pat Freiermuth (TE): 3 catches on 3 targets, 48 yards, 1 TD
• Scott Miller (WR): 3 catches on 4 targets, 38 yards
• Mike Williams (WR): 3 catches on 4 targets, 36 yards
• Van Jefferson (WR): 1 catch on 1 target, 10 yards, 1 TD
• Jaylen Warren (RB): 2 catches on 5 targets, 25 yards

Despite missing Pickens, Pittsburgh spread the ball effectively with eight different players recording receptions.

This balanced approach proved difficult for Cleveland’s defense to contain.

Cleveland’s High-Volume Targets

Browns Top Receivers:

• Jerry Jeudy (WR): 5 catches on 6 targets, 64 yards, 1 TD
• David Njoku (TE): 7 catches on 13 targets, 42 yards, 1 TD
• Elijah Moore (WR): 3 catches on 4 targets, 34 yards

The Browns heavily targeted tight end David Njoku with 13 targets.

Pittsburgh’s coverage limited his effectiveness to just 42 yards despite the high volume.

Defensive Dominance: Pressure Tells the Story

The December 8, 2024 battle showcased a marked contrast in defensive effectiveness between the two AFC North rivals.

Steelers Front Seven Disruption

The Steelers defense dominated this matchup with relentless pressure generation:

Pittsburgh Defensive Stars:

• Cameron Heyward: 5 tackles, 2 sacks, consistent interior pressure
• Alex Highsmith: 3 tackles, 1 sack, team-high 6 QB pressures
• Keeanu Benton: 1 tackle, game-changing interception
• Patrick Queen: 10 tackles, excellent coverage (82.6 PFF coverage grade)
• DeShon Elliott: 13 tackles, 1 pass breakup
• T.J. Watt: 4 tackles, 5 QB pressures, constant edge presence

Pittsburgh’s pass rush generated 16 quarterback pressures, 3 sacks, and forced 2 interceptions.

Their gap integrity against the run held Cleveland to just 104 rushing yards and no ground scores.

Browns’ Defensive Bright Spots

Cleveland Defensive Performers:

• Myles Garrett: 3 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble
• Martin Emerson: 5 tackles, solid coverage on the boundary
• Denzel Ward: 5 tackles, consistent performance in the secondary

Garrett continued his strong season with Cleveland’s lone sack.

However, the rest of the Browns’ front seven struggled to generate consistent pressure.

The pressure differential proved decisive in this AFC North battle.

Special Teams Battle: Boswell’s Perfection vs Hopkins’ Struggles

Professional football statistics clearly show the kicking game highlighted perhaps the most significant disparity between the teams:

Chris Boswell (Steelers):

• Perfect 2/2 on field goals (30, 54 yards)
• 3/3 on extra points
• Clutch 54-yard conversion in windy conditions

Dustin Hopkins (Browns):

• 0/2 on field goals (missed from 38, 43 yards)
• 2/2 on extra points
• Struggled significantly with the wind

Those six missed points proved critical in the game’s flow.

The breezy conditions at Acrisure Stadium clearly impacted Hopkins, who struggled with his kicks.

In his post-game comments captured in CBS Sports’ game coverage, Hopkins noted: “I need to find a good swing… The swing has been tough to find this year.”

Adding to Cleveland’s special teams woes, returner Kadarius Toney muffed a punt that Pittsburgh recovered, terminating any chance of a late Browns comeback.

Game-Changing Moments: Four Pivotal Plays

Momentum Shifters

Four specific plays completely altered the game’s trajectory:

1. Keeanu Benton’s Interception (2nd Quarter) The Steelers nose tackle intercepted Winston’s screen pass and returned it 11 yards to the Browns 31. Pittsburgh scored five plays later to take a 10-7 lead they never surrendered.
2. Dustin Hopkins’ First Missed FG (2nd Quarter) With just 23 seconds left in the half, Hopkins missed from 38 yards. This prevented Cleveland from cutting the deficit to three points and maintaining momentum.
3. Hopkins’ Second Missed FG (3rd Quarter) After a promising drive, Hopkins missed again from 43 yards. Pittsburgh scored touchdowns on their next two possessions to pull away 27-7.
4. James Pierre’s Interception & Toney’s Muffed Punt (4th Quarter) These two late mistakes crushed any hope of a Browns comeback. The combination sealed Cleveland’s fate in the closing minutes.

Advanced Analytics: The Numbers Behind the Victory

NFL analysis using advanced metrics provided deeper insights into individual performances:

Elite Performances

• Jaylen Warren (Steelers RB): 86.3 overall grade, 48 yards after contact
• Keeanu Benton (Steelers DL): 85.6 grade for his game-changing interception
• Alex Highsmith (Steelers EDGE): 84.6 grade with an elite 90.7 pass rush grade
• Patrick Queen (Steelers LB): 82.6 grade with excellent coverage against Njoku

Solid Contributors

• Russell Wilson (Steelers QB): 77.2 grade with three “big-time throws”
• Scott Miller (Steelers WR): 79.1 grade stepping up in Pickens’ absence
• Elandon Roberts (Steelers LB): 79.6 grade with key run stops

Steelers Depot’s missed tackles report reveals another fascinating dimension of the game, noting that while Pittsburgh missed 12 tackles, their offensive players forced 9 missed tackles from Browns defenders.

Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris each forced 4 missed tackles, showcasing their elusiveness.

Cleveland quarterback Jameis Winston summarized the game perfectly in his post-game comments: “I don’t believe the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns. I believe the Cleveland Browns beat the Cleveland Browns.”

AFC North Implications: Contrasting Trajectories

This victory solidified Pittsburgh’s position at 10-3, placing them 2nd in the AFC North and 6th overall in the AFC playoff picture.

The win continued Pittsburgh’s strong performance against division rivals, following their earlier success against the Baltimore Ravens in their previous AFC North matchup.

For Cleveland, their 10th loss marked their 18th time recording double-digit losses since returning to the league in 1999.

The Browns struggled on both sides of the ball, similar to their difficulties against the Dallas Cowboys in another recent home loss.

Team Outlooks: Different Directions

Pittsburgh’s Playoff Push

For Pittsburgh, several developments stand out:

• Russell Wilson continues to provide steady veteran leadership
• The defensive front remains championship caliber
• Jaylen Warren is emerging as an elite yards-after-contact running back
• Pat Freiermuth showed why he’s becoming one of the league’s most reliable tight ends

In their post-game analysis, the Steelers official site emphasized how their defense “wasn’t going to be bullied” by the Browns, highlighting the physical tone Pittsburgh set throughout the contest.

Cleveland’s Ongoing Rebuild

Cleveland faces serious questions:

• Quarterback stability with Winston’s turnover issues
• Special teams reliability, particularly in the kicking game
• Defensive pressure generation beyond Myles Garrett
• Team discipline with those 9 penalties for 81 yards

Western Pennsylvania vs Northeast Ohio: The Regional Rivalry

This AFC North matchup carries special significance for fans in Western Pennsylvania and Northeast Ohio.

Separated by just 135 miles of Interstate 76, these two blue-collar regions share a deep football tradition dating back decades.

The Steel City faithful at Acrisure Stadium witnessed another dominant home performance against their regional rivals from Cleveland.

For Browns fans who traveled from Northeast Ohio, the game added another chapter to their frustrating history against Pittsburgh.

FAQs: Steelers vs Cleveland Browns Match Player Stats

Q: Which player had the biggest impact on the Steelers’ victory over the Browns?

A: While several players contributed significantly, Keeanu Benton’s interception completely changed the game’s momentum. This turnover directly led to Pittsburgh taking a 10-7 lead they never relinquished. Additionally, Jaylen Warren’s efficient rushing (5.2 YPC) with an incredible 48 yards after contact was vital to sustaining drives.

Q: Why did the Browns lose despite outgaining the Steelers in total yardage?

A: Three critical factors: turnovers (3 vs 1), poor third-down conversion (15.4% vs 42.9%), and special teams failures (two missed field goals and a muffed punt). The Browns accumulated yards between the 20s but couldn’t execute in high-leverage situations.

Q: How did the Steelers’ passing game function without George Pickens?

A: They distributed the ball effectively to multiple receivers. Pat Freiermuth, Scott Miller, and Mike Williams each contributed 3 catches. The tight end Freiermuth led with 48 yards and a touchdown, while Wilson made efficient decisions with zero interceptions.

Q: How significant were the weather conditions at Acrisure Stadium?

A: The 14 mph westerly winds notably affected the kicking game. Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins missed two field goals from 38 and 43 yards, while Steelers kicker Chris Boswell successfully converted from 30 and 54 yards. This six-point swing proved crucial in the 13-point victory.

Q: Which defensive player had the most impact for Pittsburgh?

A: Though Cameron Heyward recorded 2 sacks and Alex Highsmith generated 6 pressures in his return from injury, Keeanu Benton’s interception was the single most impactful defensive play. It directly changed the game’s momentum and led to the Steelers taking a lead they never surrendered.

Q: What does this loss mean for Cleveland’s season?

A: At 3-10, this effectively eliminated the Browns from playoff contention. More concerning is that it continued a troubling historical trend, marking their 18th season with double-digit losses since returning to the league in 1999. The fundamental issues with execution and discipline suggest deeper organizational problems.

Final Analysis: Beyond The Box Score

The December 8 AFC North battle between these longtime rivals reinforces how NFL games are won and lost beyond simple yardage totals.

Pittsburgh’s victory stemmed from superior execution in critical situations, capitalizing on opponent errors, and maintaining discipline throughout.

The impressive 10-3 record built by Mike Tomlin’s squad comes despite various injuries and personnel challenges, showcasing the organization’s remarkable consistency.

For Cleveland, the loss highlighted persistent issues in multiple phases that transcend individual talent.

The team clearly possesses playmakers but continues to struggle with game-changing mistakes.

This contest serves as a textbook example of how Steelers vs Cleveland Browns match player stats can tell a deeper story than the box score might initially suggest.