Final2023 Week 2

Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA

Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers, Week 2 2023

Cleveland Browns

Away

22

Pittsburgh Steelers

HomeWon

26

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Browns3118022
Steelers793726

CLE 22PIT 26 Final

  • Passing leader

    Deshaun Watson

    CLE · QB

    12.6PPR pts

    22/40, 235 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT

  • Top fantasy scorer

    Jerome Ford

    CLE · RB

    24.1PPR pts

    16 ATT, 106 YDS, 3 REC, 25 REC YDS, 1 REC TD

  • Browns leader

    Amari Cooper

    CLE · WR

    16.0PPR pts

    7 REC, 90 YDS

  • Defensive playmaker

    Alex Highsmith

    PIT

    1 INT, 1 TD, 1 SACK, 7 TKL

Steelers 26, Browns 22: Pittsburgh rallies in the fourth quarter

Pittsburgh led 16–14 at halftime and outscored Cleveland 10–8 after the break to win 26–22. Cleveland outgained the Steelers 408–255.

The Browns went 5-for-16 on third down and committed four turnovers.

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

  • +2 turnover margin PIT 2 · CLE 4 turnovers

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

Got a Brown or Steeler on your fantasy team?

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Why the Steelers Won

Pittsburgh won the turnover battle.

Team stats comparison, Browns vs Steelers
BrownsStatSteelers
4Turnovers2
Other team stats
408Total yards255
5.0Yards per play4.8
81Plays53
31%Third-down conversion29%
35:28Time of possession24:32

Scoring Summary

The Steelers scored three touchdowns and two field goals; the Browns scored two touchdowns and two field goals.

Scoring plays, Browns vs Steelers
TimeTeamPlayCLEPIT
1st quarter
14:51PITAlex Highsmith 30-yard interception return TD Takes leadChris Boswell XP07
8:46CLEDustin Hopkins 43-yard FG37
2nd quarter
14:02CLEDeshaun Watson → Jerome Ford, 3-yard TD Takes leadJerome Ford 2-pt run117
9:11PITChris Boswell 52-yard FG1110
6:05PITKenny Pickett → George Pickens, 71-yard TD Takes lead2-pt try failed1116
0:22CLEDustin Hopkins 55-yard FG1416
3rd quarter
11:47PITChris Boswell 50-yard FG Extends lead1419
10:01CLEPierre Strong Jr. 1-yard TD run Takes leadDeshaun Watson 2-pt run2219
4th quarter
6:58PITT.J. Watt 16-yard fumble return TD Game winnerChris Boswell XP2226

Fantasy Points: Browns vs Steelers, Week 2 2023

Fantasy leaders

  1. Jerome FordCLERB24.1 PTSRB6
  2. George PickensPITWR22.7 PTSWR11
  3. Amari CooperCLEWR16.0 PTSWR29
  4. Deshaun WatsonCLEQB12.6 PTSQB27

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Deshaun WatsonCLEQB12.6QB2722/4023511622070.3Start/Sit →
Kenny PickettPITQB11.3QB2915/30222114-6071.8Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
Jerome FordCLERB24.1RB6RB16106043251
George PickensPITWR22.7WR11WR———1041271Start/Sit →
Amari CooperCLEWR16.0WR29WR———107900
Jaylen WarrenPITRB12.6RB19RB620064660Start/Sit →
Elijah MooreCLEWR7.1WR68WR15093360Start/Sit →
David NjokuCLETE6.8TE28TE———44480
Nick ChubbCLERB6.4RB37RB10640————
Pierre StrongCLERB6.1RB41RB2111000
David BellCLEWR5.7WR76WR———33270
Najee HarrisPITRB5.3RB45RB104303100Start/Sit →
Allen RobinsonPITWR3.2WR94WR———32120
Pat FreiermuthPITTE2.2TE49TE———1120Start/Sit →
Calvin AustinPITWR1.8WR105WR1-2041100
Donovan Peoples-JonesCLEWR1.7WR107WR———4170
Miles BoykinPITWR1.5WR113WR———1150
Jordan AkinsCLETE1.2TE52TE———1120
Marquise GoodwinCLEWR0.0—WR———2000
Harrison BryantCLETE0.0—TE———2000
Gunner OlszewskiPITWR-1.0—WR———1100

Fantasy Usage

Cleveland Browns

Snap Share

  1. Donovan Peoples-JonesWR76 snaps87%
  2. David NjokuTE74 snaps85%
  3. Elijah MooreWR67 snaps77%
  4. Amari CooperWR63 snaps72%
  5. Jerome FordRB43 snaps49%

Target Share40 targets

  1. Amari Cooper25%, 10 targets
  2. Elijah Moore23%, 9 targets
  3. David Njoku10%, 4 targets
  4. Donovan Peoples-Jones10%, 4 targets
  5. Jerome Ford10%, 4 targets
  6. Other23%, 9 targets

Carry Share35 carries

  1. Jerome Ford46%, 16 carries
  2. Nick Chubb29%, 10 carries
  3. Deshaun Watson17%, 6 carries
  4. Pierre Strong6%, 2 carries
  5. Elijah Moore3%, 1 carries

Pittsburgh Steelers

Snap Share

  1. Allen RobinsonWR47 snaps87%
  2. George PickensWR46 snaps85%
  3. Pat FreiermuthTE41 snaps76%
  4. Calvin AustinWR41 snaps76%
  5. Najee HarrisRB31 snaps57%

Target Share29 targets

  1. George Pickens34%, 10 targets
  2. Jaylen Warren21%, 6 targets
  3. Calvin Austin14%, 4 targets
  4. Allen Robinson10%, 3 targets
  5. Najee Harris10%, 3 targets
  6. Other10%, 3 targets

Carry Share21 carries

  1. Najee Harris48%, 10 carries
  2. Jaylen Warren29%, 6 carries
  3. Kenny Pickett19%, 4 carries
  4. Calvin Austin5%, 1 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
Donovan Peoples-JonesCLEWR7687%410%0
Allen RobinsonPITWR4787%310%0
George PickensPITWR4685%1034%0
David NjokuCLETE7485%410%0
Elijah MooreCLEWR6777%923%1
Pat FreiermuthPITTE4176%13%0
Calvin AustinPITWR4176%414%1
Amari CooperCLEWR6372%1025%0
Najee HarrisPITRB3157%310%10
Jerome FordCLERB4349%410%16
Darnell WashingtonPITTE2648%00%0
Jaylen WarrenPITRB2343%621%6
Harrison BryantCLETE2630%25%0
Nick ChubbCLERB1821%00%10
Connor HeywardPITRB1019%00%0
Marquise GoodwinCLEWR1517%25%0
Pierre StrongCLERB1315%13%2
David BellCLEWR1113%38%0
Jordan AkinsCLETE910%13%0
Cedric TillmanCLEWR910%00%0
Miles BoykinPITWR47%13%0
Gunner OlszewskiPITWR12%13%0

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+7.6Jerome Ford24.1 PTS vs 16.5 xFP
  • Biggest underperformer−8.5Elijah Moore7.1 PTS vs 15.6 xFP
  • Highest expected volume20.5 xFPDeshaun Watson12.6 PTS scored
Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Deshaun WatsonCLE · QB12.620.5−7.9100%40 att—40617%00%
Amari CooperCLE · WR16.016.7−0.772%25% tgt—000%1025%
George PickensPIT · WR22.716.7+6.085%34% tgt—000%1034%
Jerome FordCLE · RB24.116.5+7.649%46% car—01646%410%
Elijah MooreCLE · WR7.115.6−8.577%23% tgt—013%923%
Kenny PickettPIT · QB11.315.1−3.8100%30 att—30419%00%
Jaylen WarrenPIT · RB12.613.7−1.143%29% car—0629%621%
Najee HarrisPIT · RB5.311.1−5.857%48% car—01048%310%
Calvin Austin IIIPIT · WR1.87.3−5.576%14% tgt—015%414%
David NjokuCLE · TE6.86.7+0.185%10% tgt—000%410%
Donovan Peoples-JonesCLE · WR1.76.7−5.087%10% tgt—000%410%
Nick ChubbCLE · RB6.46.1+0.321%29% car—01029%00%
Allen RobinsonPIT · WR3.25.0−1.887%10% tgt—000%310%
David BellCLE · WR5.75.0+0.713%8% tgt—000%38%
Harrison BryantCLE · TE0.03.3−3.330%5% tgt—000%25%
Marquise GoodwinCLE · WR0.03.3−3.317%5% tgt—000%25%
Pierre Strong Jr.CLE · RB6.12.9+3.215%6% car—026%13%
Gunner OlszewskiPIT · WR-1.01.7−2.72%3% tgt—000%13%
Jordan AkinsCLE · TE1.21.7−0.510%3% tgt—000%13%
Miles BoykinPIT · WR1.51.7−0.27%3% tgt—000%13%
Pat FreiermuthPIT · TE1.21.7−0.576%3% tgt—000%13%

Team totals: Browns 40 targets and 35 carries; Steelers 29 targets and 21 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 2023 season: 1.67 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.61 per carry and 0.42 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Deshaun Watson Unlucky

CLE · QB · 12.6 pts on 20.5 expected

22 of 40 passing for 235 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception; 6 carries for 22 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 20.5 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Deshaun Watson →

Kenny Pickett

PIT · QB · 11.3 pts on 15.1 expected

15 of 30 passing for 222 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception; 4 carries for -6 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 15.1 expected.

Start/Sit: Kenny Pickett →

Amari Cooper

CLE · WR · 16.0 pts on 16.7 expected

10 targets (25% of the team's), 7 catches for 90 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 16.7 expected.

Trend: Season high in targets (10).

Jerome Ford Ran hot

CLE · RB · 24.1 pts on 16.5 expected

4 targets (10% of the team's), 3 catches for 25 yards and 1 touchdown; 16 carries (46% of the team's) for 106 yards.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 16.5 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Trend: Season high in carries (16).

George Pickens Ran hot

PIT · WR · 22.7 pts on 16.7 expected

10 targets (34% of the team's), 4 catches for 127 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 16.7 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Trend: Season high in targets (10).

Start/Sit: George Pickens →

Jaylen Warren

PIT · RB · 12.6 pts on 13.7 expected

6 targets (21% of the team's), 4 catches for 66 yards; 6 carries (29% of the team's) for 20 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 13.7 expected.

Start/Sit: Jaylen Warren →

Elijah Moore Unlucky

CLE · WR · 7.1 pts on 15.6 expected

9 targets (23% of the team's), 3 catches for 36 yards; 1 carry (3% of the team's) for 5 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 15.6 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Trend: Season high in targets (9).

Start/Sit: Elijah Moore →

Najee Harris Unlucky

PIT · RB · 5.3 pts on 11.1 expected

3 targets (10% of the team's), 1 catch for 0 yards; 10 carries (48% of the team's) for 43 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 11.1 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Trend: Season high in carries (10).

Start/Sit: Najee Harris →

Stock Up, Stock Down

Cleveland Browns

  • Stock up: Jerome Ford led the backfield with 49% of the snaps after trailing Nick Chubb before this game.
  • Stock down: Nick Chubb lost the backfield lead: 21% of the snaps to Jerome Ford's 49%.
  • Stock down: Jordan Akins played 10% of the snaps, down from a 31% season average.

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Stock up: Calvin Austin III played 76% of the snaps, up from a 56% season average.
  • Stock up: Pat Freiermuth played 76% of the snaps, up from a 51% season average.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2023 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Browns defense and Steelers defense
Points allowed toBrowns DSteelers D
QBs14.315.0
RBs19.720.3
WRs27.032.1
TEs9.212.4

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

How the Game Swung

Pittsburgh opened at 50% win probability and passed 98% in the fourth quarter on the way to the win.

Steelers win probability

Steelers win probability by game minuteSteelers started at 50%, stood at 58% at halftime and finished at 100%, across 9 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. +20Highsmith 30-yd pick-six50% → 70%Q1 14:51
  2. −27Watson → Ford, 3-yd TD64% → 36%Q2 14:02
  3. +22Pickett → Pickens, 71-yd TD46% → 68%Q2 6:05
  4. −35Strong 1-yd TD run72% → 37%Q3 10:01
  5. +55Watt 16-yd TD26% → 81%Q4 6:58

Swing in Steelers win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Browns vs Steelers
Cleveland BrownsMeasurePittsburgh Steelers
81Plays53
57%Pass rate60%
4.6Yds / dropback6.3
5.7Yds / carry2.6
5/16Third downs4/14

Efficiency edge Pittsburgh ran 28 fewer plays but gained 1.7 more yards per dropback.

  • Top targets
  • CLE Cooper 25% · Moore 23% · Njoku 10%
  • PIT Pickens 34% · Warren 21% · Austin 14%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Browns vs Steelers
ResultCLEPIT
Touchdowns21
Field goals22
Punts57
Turnovers42
Turnovers on downs10
Missed field goals10

PIT turnover edge: +2

  • The Browns opened the scoring on their second possession, a 11-play, 50-yard drive that ended in a field goal.
All 29 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
CLEQ1 15:00100:09Interception
CLEQ1 14:5111506:05Field goal
PITQ1 8:46370:39Interception
CLEQ1 8:074-61:29Missed FG
PITQ1 6:38372:24Punt
CLEQ1 4:148533:52Fumble
PITQ1 0:221-50:14Fumble
CLEQ1 0:084231:06Touchdown
PITQ2 14:026352:47Punt
CLEQ2 11:153-20:44Punt
PITQ2 10:31451:20Field goal
CLEQ2 9:11331:30Punt
PITQ2 7:414821:36Touchdown
CLEQ2 6:053-10:57Punt
PITQ2 5:086122:22Punt
CLEQ2 2:467382:24Field goal
PITQ2 0:221-10:22End of half
PITQ3 15:009443:13Field goal
CLEQ3 11:474751:46Touchdown
PITQ3 10:015272:31Punt
CLEQ3 7:308283:31Punt
PITQ3 3:595392:48Punt
CLEQ3 1:1111535:36Fumble
PITQ4 10:353-111:34Punt
CLEQ4 9:015102:03Fumble
CLEQ4 6:58582:21Punt
PITQ4 4:37361:42Punt
CLEQ4 2:557261:55Downs
PITQ4 1:002-21:00End of game
About these numbers

The Steelers' interception touchdown is counted as a Browns interception, not as a Steelers possession. The Steelers' fumble touchdown is counted as a Browns lost fumble, not as a Steelers possession. 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.

Browns vs Steelers Head-to-Head

The Browns and Steelers 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 Browns win
51–01989
Largest Steelers win
43–01999

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 2023 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Browns vs Steelers
BrownsStatSteelers
11-6Record10-7
23.3Points per game17.9
335.9Yards per game304.3
4.8Yards per play5.0
21.3Points allowed per game19.1
270.2Yards allowed per game342.1

Browns vs Steelers 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

2023 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Browns vs Steelers Game FAQ

Who won the 2023 Browns vs Steelers Week 2 game?

The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns 26–22 in Week 2 of the 2023 season. The game was played at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA, on September 18, 2023. See the Steelers' 2023 schedule.

What was the final score of Browns vs Steelers?

The final score was Steelers 26, Browns 22. The Steelers led 16–14 at halftime, and the second half went Browns 8, Steelers 10.

What happened in the Browns vs Steelers game?

Pittsburgh led 16–14 at halftime and outscored Cleveland 10–8 after the break to win 26–22. Cleveland outgained the Steelers 408–255. Jerome Ford led all players with 3 catches for 25 yards and a touchdown, plus 16 carries for 106 rushing yards. The Browns committed 4 turnovers, the Steelers 2.

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

T.J. Watt's fumble return for a touchdown with 6:58 left in the fourth quarter gave the Steelers a 26–22 lead they never gave up. It was the final score of the game.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Browns vs Steelers?

Jerome Ford led the game with 24.1 PPR fantasy points, the RB6 of Week 2, on 3 catches for 25 yards and a touchdown, plus 16 carries for 106 rushing yards. George Pickens was next with 22.7 (WR11).

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

Deshaun Watson (CLE) led all passers with 22 of 40 for 235 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Jerome Ford (CLE) led in rushing with 16 carries for 106 yards. George Pickens (PIT) led in receiving with 4 catches for 127 yards and a touchdown.

How many fantasy points did Jerome Ford score against the Steelers?

Jerome Ford scored 24.1 points in PPR leagues, 22.6 in half-PPR and 21.1 in standard scoring against the Steelers in Week 2 of the 2023 season, on 3 catches for 25 yards and a touchdown, plus 16 carries for 106 rushing yards. He handled 46% of his team's carries.

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

Jerome Ford outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 24.1 PPR points on 16.5 xFP (+7.6). Elijah Moore fell furthest short, with 7.1 points on 15.6 xFP (−8.5). 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.

Who had the highest expected fantasy points in Browns vs Steelers?

Deshaun Watson had the most fantasy opportunity in the game, worth 20.5 expected PPR points (xFP) at league-average rates, and scored 12.6. Expected points measure the volume of a player's pass attempts, carries and targets, not how well he used them.

How did the Steelers beat the Browns?

The Steelers beat the Browns 26–22 because they won the turnover battle 4–2. T.J. Watt's fumble return for a touchdown put them ahead for good.

Which team won the turnover battle in Browns vs Steelers?

The Steelers won the turnover battle 4–2: the Browns gave the ball away 4 times and the Steelers 2 times. The Steelers won the game.

What was the turning point of Browns vs Steelers?

T.J. Watt's fumble return for a touchdown with 6:58 left in the fourth quarter was the biggest swing of the game, moving the Steelers' win probability from 26% to 81%.

What is the all-time Browns vs Steelers 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 Browns and Steelers last play before this game?

Before Week 2 of 2023, they last met in the 2022 season on January 8, 2023, when the Steelers beat the Browns 28–14.

Have the Browns and Steelers met in the playoffs?

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