Final2021 Week 8

Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland, OH

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns, Week 8 2021

Pittsburgh Steelers

AwayWon

15

Cleveland Browns

Home

10

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Steelers036615
Browns307010

PIT 15CLE 10 Final

  • Passing leader

    Ben Roethlisberger

    PIT · QB

    14.6PPR pts

    22/34, 266 YDS, 1 TD

  • Top fantasy scorer

    Najee Harris

    PIT · RB

    21.0PPR pts

    26 ATT, 91 YDS, 1 TD, 3 REC, 29 REC YDS

  • Browns leader

    Jarvis Landry

    CLE · WR

    10.0PPR pts

    5 REC, 65 YDS

  • Defensive playmaker

    T.J. Watt

    PIT

    1.5 SACK, 6 TKL

Steelers 15, Browns 10: Pittsburgh rallies in the fourth quarter

Pittsburgh broke a 3–3 halftime tie, outscoring Cleveland 12–7 after the break to win 15–10. The Steelers finished with a 370–306 edge in total offense and averaged 5.4 yards per play.

The gap showed up everywhere. The Browns went 3-for-10 on third down and committed one turnover, while the Steelers finished without a giveaway.

The two teams meet again in Week 8 of 2026. If you roster anyone from either side, run the start/sit call in Redraft Command and it will weigh your lineup, your opponent and your league scoring, not only the player rankings.

Key advantages

  • +0.1 yards/play PIT 5.4 · CLE 5.3
  • +1 turnover margin PIT 0 turnovers
  • +64 total yards PIT 370 · CLE 306

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

Got a Steeler or Brown on your fantasy team?

Check their next matchup with the Start/Sit Tool, compare their value in the Fantasy Trade Calculator, or connect your league for personalized advice in Redraft Command.

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Why the Steelers Won

Pittsburgh won the efficiency, turnover, third-down, and time of possession battles.

Team stats comparison, Steelers vs Browns
SteelersStatBrowns
5.4Yards per play5.3
0Turnovers1
370Total yards306
Other team stats
69Plays58
31%Third-down conversion30%
31:45Time of possession28:15

Scoring Summary

The Steelers scored two touchdowns and one field goal; the Browns scored one touchdown and one field goal.

Scoring plays, Steelers vs Browns
TimeTeamPlayPITCLE
1st quarter
8:09CLEChase McLaughlin 30-yard FG Takes lead03
2nd quarter
9:18PITChris Boswell 31-yard FG Ties game33
3rd quarter
9:36CLED'Ernest Johnson 10-yard TD run Takes leadChase McLaughlin XP310
3:39PITNajee Harris 8-yard TD run2-pt try failed910
4th quarter
11:04PITBen Roethlisberger → Pat Freiermuth, 2-yard TD Game winner2-pt try failed1510

Fantasy Points: Steelers vs Browns, Week 8 2021

Fantasy leaders

  1. Najee HarrisPITRB21.0 PTSRB7
  2. Diontae JohnsonPITWR15.8 PTSWR21
  3. Ben RoethlisbergerPITQB14.6 PTSQB17
  4. Pat FreiermuthPITTE14.4 PTSTE3

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Ben RoethlisbergerPITQB14.6QB1722/342661010098.4
Baker MayfieldCLEQB9.5QB2920/312250015086.1Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
Najee HarrisPITRB21.0RB7RB2691133290Start/Sit →
Diontae JohnsonPITWR15.8WR21WR———136980
Pat FreiermuthPITTE14.4TE3TE———74441Start/Sit →
Chase ClaypoolPITWR10.1WR38WR216054450
D'Ernest JohnsonCLERB9.9RB30RB42213170
Jarvis LandryCLEWR9.0WR49WR150105650
Nick ChubbCLERB7.9RB37RB166101180
Zach GentryPITTE6.9TE19TE———53390
David NjokuCLETE6.9TE18TE———33390
Austin HooperCLETE6.6TE20TE———64260Start/Sit →
Harrison BryantCLETE5.3TE26TE———22330
Rashard HigginsCLEWR4.7WR73WR———42270
Demetric FeltonCLERB3.7RB58RB13011140
Benny SnellPITRB1.7RB68RB———1170
Odell BeckhamCLEWR1.6WR100WR———1160
James WashingtonPITWR1.4WR103WR———1140
Ray-Ray McCloudPITWR1.0WR105WR1100————
Anthony McFarlandPITRB0.1RB79RB110————
Kalen BallagePITRB-0.3—RB1-30————

Fantasy Usage

Pittsburgh Steelers

Snap Share

  1. Chase ClaypoolWR72 snaps97%
  2. Diontae JohnsonWR68 snaps92%
  3. Najee HarrisRB62 snaps84%
  4. Pat FreiermuthTE58 snaps78%
  5. Zach GentryTE45 snaps61%

Target Share35 targets

  1. Diontae Johnson37%, 13 targets
  2. Pat Freiermuth20%, 7 targets
  3. Zach Gentry14%, 5 targets
  4. Chase Claypool14%, 5 targets
  5. Najee Harris9%, 3 targets
  6. Other6%, 2 targets

Carry Share32 carries

  1. Najee Harris81%, 26 carries
  2. Chase Claypool6%, 2 carries
  3. Ben Roethlisberger3%, 1 carries
  4. Kalen Ballage3%, 1 carries
  5. Ray-Ray McCloud3%, 1 carries
  6. Other3%, 1 carries

Cleveland Browns

Snap Share

  1. Jarvis LandryWR53 snaps90%
  2. Odell BeckhamWR43 snaps73%
  3. Austin HooperTE38 snaps64%
  4. David NjokuTE38 snaps64%
  5. Rashard HigginsWR33 snaps56%

Target Share31 targets

  1. Jarvis Landry32%, 10 targets
  2. Austin Hooper19%, 6 targets
  3. Rashard Higgins13%, 4 targets
  4. David Njoku10%, 3 targets
  5. D'Ernest Johnson10%, 3 targets
  6. Other16%, 5 targets

Carry Share23 carries

  1. Nick Chubb70%, 16 carries
  2. D'Ernest Johnson17%, 4 carries
  3. Jarvis Landry4%, 1 carries
  4. Baker Mayfield4%, 1 carries
  5. Demetric Felton4%, 1 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
Chase ClaypoolPITWR7297%514%2
Diontae JohnsonPITWR6892%1337%0
Jarvis LandryCLEWR5390%1032%1
Najee HarrisPITRB6284%39%26
Pat FreiermuthPITTE5878%720%0
Odell BeckhamCLEWR4373%13%0
Austin HooperCLETE3864%619%0
David NjokuCLETE3864%310%0
Zach GentryPITTE4561%514%0
Rashard HigginsCLEWR3356%413%0
Nick ChubbCLERB3356%13%16
James WashingtonPITWR3446%13%0
Harrison BryantCLETE2339%26%0
D'Ernest JohnsonCLERB1831%310%4
Demetric FeltonCLERB915%13%1
Ray-Ray McCloudPITWR1115%00%1
Anthony SchwartzCLEWR610%00%0
Anthony McFarlandPITRB79%00%1
Kalen BallagePITRB34%00%1

Fantasy Points vs Expected

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

  • Biggest overperformer+2.6Pat Freiermuth14.4 PTS vs 11.8 xFP
  • Biggest underperformer−7.5Jarvis Landry10.0 PTS vs 17.5 xFP
  • Highest expected volume21.9 xFPDiontae Johnson15.8 PTS scored
Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Diontae JohnsonPIT · WR15.821.9−6.192%37% tgt—000%1337%
Najee HarrisPIT · RB21.021.7−0.784%81% car—02681%39%
Jarvis LandryCLE · WR10.017.5−7.590%32% tgt—014%1032%
Ben RoethlisbergerPIT · QB14.615.6−1.0100%34 att—3413%00%
Baker MayfieldCLE · QB9.514.3−4.8100%31 att—3114%00%
Nick ChubbCLE · RB7.912.0−4.156%70% car—01670%13%
Pat FreiermuthPIT · TE14.411.8+2.678%20% tgt—000%720%
Austin HooperCLE · TE6.610.1−3.564%19% tgt—000%619%
Chase ClaypoolPIT · WR10.19.7+0.497%14% tgt—026%514%
Zach GentryPIT · TE6.98.4−1.561%14% tgt—000%514%
D'Ernest JohnsonCLE · RB9.97.6+2.331%17% car—0417%310%
Rashard HigginsCLE · WR4.76.7−2.056%13% tgt—000%413%
David NjokuCLE · TE6.95.1+1.864%10% tgt—000%310%
Harrison BryantCLE · TE5.33.4+1.939%6% tgt—000%26%
Demetric FeltonCLE · RB2.72.3+0.415%4% car—014%13%
Benny Snell Jr.PIT · RB1.71.70.0—3% tgt—000%13%
James WashingtonPIT · WR1.41.7−0.346%3% tgt—000%13%
Odell Beckham Jr.CLE · WR1.61.7−0.173%3% tgt—000%13%
Anthony McFarland Jr.PIT · RB0.10.6−0.59%3% car—013%00%
Kalen BallagePIT · RB-0.30.6−0.94%3% car—013%00%
Ray-Ray McCloud IIIPIT · WR1.00.6+0.415%3% car—013%00%

Team totals: Steelers 35 targets and 32 carries; Browns 31 targets and 23 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2021 season: 1.68 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.64 per carry and 0.44 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Ben Roethlisberger

PIT · QB · 14.6 pts on 15.6 expected

22 of 34 passing for 266 yards, 1 touchdown; 1 carry for 0 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 15.6 expected.

Baker Mayfield

CLE · QB · 9.5 pts on 14.3 expected

20 of 31 passing for 225 yards; 1 carry for 5 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 14.3 expected.

Start/Sit: Baker Mayfield →

Diontae Johnson Volume, no payoff

PIT · WR · 15.8 pts on 21.9 expected

13 targets (37% of the team's), 6 catches for 98 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 21.9 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Najee Harris Volume, no payoff

PIT · RB · 21.0 pts on 21.7 expected

3 targets (9% of the team's), 3 catches for 29 yards; 26 carries (81% of the team's) for 91 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 21.7 expected.

Start/Sit: Najee Harris →

Jarvis Landry Volume, no payoff

CLE · WR · 10.0 pts on 17.5 expected

10 targets (32% of the team's), 5 catches for 65 yards; 1 carry (4% of the team's) for 5 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 17.5 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Nick Chubb Volume, no payoff

CLE · RB · 7.9 pts on 12.0 expected

1 target (3% of the team's), 1 catch for 8 yards; 16 carries (70% of the team's) for 61 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 12.0 expected.

Pat Freiermuth

PIT · TE · 14.4 pts on 11.8 expected

7 targets (20% of the team's), 4 catches for 44 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 11.8 expected.

Start/Sit: Pat Freiermuth →

Chase Claypool

PIT · WR · 10.1 pts on 9.7 expected

5 targets (14% of the team's), 4 catches for 45 yards; 2 carries (6% of the team's) for 16 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 9.7 expected.

Stock Up, Stock Down

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Stock up: Pat Freiermuth played 78% of the snaps, up from a 51% season average.
  • Stock up: Chase Claypool played 97% of the snaps, up from a 75% season average.
  • Stock up: Zach Gentry played 61% of the snaps, up from a 24% season average.

Cleveland Browns

  • Stock up: Jarvis Landry played 90% of the snaps, up from a 48% season average.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2021 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Steelers defense and Browns defense
Points allowed toSteelers DBrowns D
QBs17.116.7
RBs25.621.5
WRs30.828.6
TEs10.812.6

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Cleveland opened at 64% win probability, climbed as high as 87%, then lost.

Browns win probability

Browns win probability by game minuteBrowns started at 64%, stood at 60% at halftime and finished at 0%, across 5 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. +8McLaughlin 30-yd FG64% → 72%Q1 8:09
  2. −10Boswell 31-yd FG72% → 62%Q2 9:18
  3. +26Johnson 10-yd TD run59% → 85%Q3 9:36
  4. −24Harris 8-yd TD run87% → 63%Q3 3:39
  5. −39Roethlisberger → Freiermuth, 2-yd TD63% → 24%Q4 11:04

Swing in Browns win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Steelers vs Browns
Pittsburgh SteelersMeasureCleveland Browns
69Plays58
54%Pass rate60%
6.9Yds / dropback6.0
3.6Yds / carry4.2
4/13Third downs3/10

Efficiency edge Pittsburgh ran 11 more plays and gained 0.9 more yards per dropback.

  • Top targets
  • PIT Johnson 37% · Freiermuth 20% · Claypool 14%
  • CLE Landry 32% · Hooper 19% · Higgins 13%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Steelers vs Browns
ResultPITCLE
Touchdowns21
Field goals11
Punts44
Turnovers01
Turnovers on downs22

PIT turnover edge: +1

  • The Browns opened the scoring on their first possession, a 13-play, 63-yard drive that ended in a field goal.
  • The Steelers drained the clock with two second-half drives of five to six minutes.
All 19 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
CLEQ1 15:0013636:51Field goal
PITQ1 8:097223:50Punt
CLEQ1 4:198454:25Downs
PITQ2 14:5410475:36Field goal
CLEQ2 9:18300:48Punt
PITQ2 8:30301:14Punt
CLEQ2 7:163-51:09Punt
PITQ2 6:0712534:29Downs
CLEQ2 1:385241:17Punt
PITQ2 0:21100:21End of half
PITQ3 15:00351:05Punt
CLEQ3 13:558864:19Touchdown
PITQ3 9:3612785:57Touchdown
CLEQ3 3:39341:57Punt
PITQ3 1:4213835:38Touchdown
CLEQ4 11:048595:00Fumble
PITQ4 6:04331:42Punt
CLEQ4 4:228352:29Downs
PITQ4 1:536491:53Downs
About these numbers

Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Steelers vs Browns Head-to-Head

The Steelers and Browns first met in 1950 and have played 150 times since. They have been AFC North rivals since 1999.

All-time series
83–66–1Steelers lead, 150 meetings since 1950
Postseason
2–1Steelers won in 1994 and 2002; Browns won in 2020
Largest Steelers win
43–01999
Largest Browns win
51–01989

Since 2021

6–5 Steelers lead

11 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. S = Steelers win, B = Browns win, outlined = this game.

2026 Meetings

  • Week 8 Browns at Steelers Upcoming

Recent Meetings

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2021 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Steelers vs Browns
SteelersStatBrowns
9-7-1Record8-9
20.2Points per game20.5
315.4Yards per game340.6
4.8Yards per play5.5
23.4Points allowed per game21.8
361.1Yards allowed per game311.5

Steelers vs Browns Odds and Results

How this game finished against the betting lines.

Spread
CLE −5Browns failed to cover by 10
Total
43Under: 25 points scored (by 18)

Expected vs Actual Scoring

Implied team totals against the actual score
TeamImpliedActualDifference
Browns24.010−14.0
Steelers19.015−4.0

Both offenses finished under the market's expectation, which matches the low fantasy output in the Fantasy tab.

Betting Trends

Each team's 2021 season through this game. Over/under is overs first.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Against the spread
3–4
Over/under
1–5–1
ATS as favorite
0–3
ATS as underdog
3–1
ATS on the road
2–1

Cleveland Browns

Against the spread
4–4
Over/under
4–4
ATS as favorite
3–3
ATS as underdog
1–1
ATS at home
2–3

Lines: ESPN's consensus, captured at kickoff. Individual sportsbooks varied.

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Betting availability depends on your state.

Steelers vs Browns Fantasy Outlook for 2026

One meeting is left on the 2026 schedule: Week 8 in Pittsburgh. Here's how to decide who to play in your league.

Keep Exploring

2021 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Steelers vs Browns Game FAQ

Who won the 2021 Steelers vs Browns Week 8 game?

The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns 15–10 in Week 8 of the 2021 season. The game was played at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, OH, on October 31, 2021. See the Steelers' 2021 schedule.

What was the final score of Steelers vs Browns?

The final score was Steelers 15, Browns 10. The teams were tied 3–3 at halftime, and the second half went Steelers 12, Browns 7.

What happened in the Steelers vs Browns game?

Pittsburgh broke a 3–3 halftime tie, outscoring Cleveland 12–7 after the break to win 15–10. The Steelers finished with a 370–306 edge in total offense and averaged 5.4 yards per play. Najee Harris led all players with 3 catches for 29 yards, plus 26 carries for 91 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Browns committed 1 turnover, the Steelers none.

What was the game-winning score in Steelers vs Browns?

Ben Roethlisberger's 2-yard touchdown pass to Pat Freiermuth with 11:04 left in the fourth quarter gave the Steelers a 15–10 lead they never gave up. It was the final score of the game.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Steelers vs Browns?

Najee Harris led the game with 21.0 PPR fantasy points, the RB7 of Week 8, on 3 catches for 29 yards, plus 26 carries for 91 rushing yards and a touchdown. Diontae Johnson was next with 15.8 (WR21). See Najee Harris's 2021 game log.

Who led Steelers vs Browns in passing, rushing and receiving?

Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) led all passers with 22 of 34 for 266 yards and a touchdown. Najee Harris (PIT) led in rushing with 26 carries for 91 yards and a touchdown. Diontae Johnson (PIT) led in receiving with 6 catches for 98 yards.

How many fantasy points did Najee Harris score against the Browns?

Najee Harris scored 21.0 points in PPR leagues, 19.5 in half-PPR and 18.0 in standard scoring against the Browns in Week 8 of the 2021 season, on 3 catches for 29 yards, plus 26 carries for 91 rushing yards and a touchdown. He handled 81% of his team's carries.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Steelers vs Browns?

Pat Freiermuth outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 14.4 PPR points on 11.8 xFP (+2.6). Jarvis Landry fell furthest short, with 10.0 points on 17.5 xFP (−7.5). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

How did the Steelers come back to beat the Browns?

The Steelers' chances of winning fell as low as 13% in the third quarter. Ben Roethlisberger's 2-yard touchdown pass to Pat Freiermuth in the fourth quarter was the biggest swing of the game. Ben Roethlisberger's 2-yard touchdown pass to Pat Freiermuth then put them ahead for good.

What is the all-time Steelers vs Browns record?

The Steelers lead the all-time series 83–66–1 across 150 meetings since 1950, including a 2–1 record in the postseason.

When did the Steelers and Browns last play before this game?

Before Week 8 of 2021, they last met in the 2020 playoffs on January 10, 2021, when the Browns beat the Steelers 48–37.

Have the Steelers and Browns met in the playoffs?

Yes, 3 times, most recently in the 2020 playoffs. The Steelers are 2–1 against the Browns in the postseason.

What was the closing spread for Steelers vs Browns?

The consensus closing spread at kickoff was Browns −5, making the Cleveland Browns 5-point favorites, with a closing total of 43. That implied about 24.0 points for the Browns and 19.0 for the Steelers.

Did Steelers vs Browns go over or under the total?

The game went under. The consensus closing total was 43, and the teams combined for 25 points, 18 under the number.

Who covered the spread in Steelers vs Browns?

The Steelers covered as 5-point underdogs against the closing line of Browns −5. The final margin was 5 points.