Browns vs. Steelers, Week 17: Myles Garrett Chases History as Cleveland Hosts Pittsburgh in Final Home Game
It’s Week 17, and the Cleveland Browns are back home for one last time this season, welcoming the Pittsburgh Steelers to Huntington Bank Field in what feels like a tale of two teams moving in very different directions.
The Browns are sitting at 3-12 and staring down a potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Steelers, meanwhile, are 9-6 and firmly in the playoff picture, with a shot at the AFC North title still in play-depending on how things shake out with Baltimore the night before.
If the Ravens lose on Saturday, Pittsburgh could have the division locked up before kickoff, which might prompt Mike Tomlin to rest some key starters. That could change the tone of this game dramatically.
But no matter who lines up on Sunday, there’s still plenty to watch for-especially if you’re a Browns fan looking for silver linings, long-term implications, or just one last highlight before the curtain closes on a tough season.
Game Info
- Kickoff: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
- Stadium: Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland
- TV: CBS (Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson on the call)
- Radio: 850 ESPN Cleveland, 92.3 The Fan WKRK, 98.5 WNCX, 1300 AM La Mega (Español)
- Weather: 46 degrees, 75% chance of rain, winds SSE at 13 mph
- Uniforms: Browns will wear their fan-favorite combo-brown jerseys with orange pants
Series Snapshot
The Steelers lead the all-time series, 83-64-1, including postseason matchups. But Cleveland has had the upper hand at home lately, winning five of the last six in the Dawg Pound. The last time these two met was back in Week 6, when Pittsburgh came out on top, 23-9.
Injury Report
Browns -
- Out: TE David Njoku (knee)
- Questionable: TE Harold Fannin Jr. (groin), QB Dillon Gabriel (shoulder), RG Wyatt Teller (calf), CB Myles Harden (shoulder), RB Dylan Sampson (hand), DT Sam Kamara (elbow)
Steelers -
- Out: WR Calvin Austin III (hamstring), CB Brandin Echols (groin), CB James Pierre (calf), LB T.J.
Watt (lung), WR DK Metcalf (suspension)
- Questionable: CB Jalen Ramsey (illness), G Isaac Seumalo (triceps)
What to Watch
Myles Garrett Chasing History
All eyes will be on No.
- Myles Garrett is just one sack away from setting the NFL single-season sack record with 23.
He’s been a nightmare for Pittsburgh quarterbacks at home, racking up five sacks in his last two home games against the Steelers. If there's one reason to tune in, it’s to see if Garrett can etch his name in the record books.
**Shedeur Sanders’ Final Audition? **
Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders has had a rocky first year, and the numbers back it up. His -0.24 EPA per dropback is the lowest recorded since TruMedia began tracking the stat in 2000.
That puts him behind some infamously underwhelming names like Ryan Leaf, Zach Wilson, and JaMarcus Russell.
Still, Sanders has a shot at something rare: becoming just the third Browns rookie QB to beat a Mike Tomlin-coached Steelers team, joining Brandon Weeden and Dorian Thompson-Robinson. This could be a defining moment-whether it’s a final chance to prove he belongs or a last look before the Browns reevaluate their quarterback future in the draft.
Turnovers Tell the Tale
If you’re looking for a stat that explains Cleveland’s season, it’s this: the Browns have allowed an NFL-worst 104 points off turnovers.
On the flip side, the Steelers have turned opponent miscues into 98 points-second most in the league. That kind of swing is tough to overcome, especially when your offense is averaging just 169.5 passing yards per game (30th in the league).
Joel Bitonio’s Potential Farewell
Sunday could mark the end of an era in Cleveland.
Veteran left guard Joel Bitonio, who’s been the heart and soul of the offensive line for 12 seasons, acknowledged this might be his final home game with the Browns. He’s in the final year of his contract and said he’ll take time after the season to discuss his future with family.
If this is it, he leaves behind a legacy of consistency, leadership, and loyalty.
Coaching Milestone
Kevin Stefanski will coach his 100th game for the Browns on Sunday, joining franchise legends Blanton Collier and Paul Brown in that exclusive club. It’s a notable benchmark, even if the season hasn’t gone as planned.
But Tomlin has made a habit of outlasting Browns coaches-he’s already beaten eight different Cleveland head coaches during his tenure. Stefanski will look to avoid adding another loss to that list.
Matchup Nuggets
- Steelers’ Rushing Attack vs. Browns’ Run D: Pittsburgh ranks third in EPA per rush over the last two weeks.
But Cleveland’s run defense has been stout all season-second in rushing success rate and seventh in EPA per rush allowed. That’s a trench battle worth watching.
- Checkdowns Galore: Teams are targeting their running backs 20% of the time against the Browns-fifth-highest rate in the league. Expect Pittsburgh to test Cleveland’s linebackers and safeties in space.
- **Air It Out? ** The Steelers are giving up 249.3 passing yards per game, third-most in the NFL.
But the Browns haven’t exactly been lighting it up through the air. Something’s got to give.
- Leads Don’t Last: Cleveland is 2-9 in games where they’ve held a lead this season. That’s not just a stat-it’s a symptom of a team that hasn’t been able to close.
Final Thoughts
This game might not have playoff stakes for Cleveland, but it’s far from meaningless. Myles Garrett is chasing history.
Shedeur Sanders is auditioning for his future. Joel Bitonio might be playing his final snaps in front of the home crowd.
And Kevin Stefanski is hitting a major milestone.
For Pittsburgh, it’s about staying sharp-and possibly locking up playoff positioning-while navigating potential lineup changes if the division race is settled early.
It’s Browns vs. Steelers, and even in a season that’s gone sideways for Cleveland, there’s still drama, legacy, and rivalry on the line.