Steelers vs Browns: Top Game Highlights
NFL rivalries don’t get much more intense than the one between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns. It’s one of the oldest rivalries in the NFL, as fans can find Steelers vs Browns highlights that date to 1950. It’s also one of the most bitter and intense rivalries, as the two cities are located less than 150 miles apart and the two teams have met well over 100 times. Needless to say, there have been plenty of memorable Steelers vs Browns highlights, and it’s worth taking a look at some of the unforgettable Steelers vs Browns games throughout the history of this great rivalry.
Two Punt Returns Carries Browns to Win Over Steelers
Special teams played a huge role in giving the Browns a 28-23 win over the Steelers in Week 7 of the 1993 season with Eric Metcalf playing the role of hero. Metcalf had a 91-yard punt return for a touchdown in the second quarter to give the Browns a 14-0 lead. Pittsburgh fought back and ultimately led 23-21 in the fourth quarter. However, Metcalf struck again, returning a punt 75 yards for what would become the game-winning score, helping the Browns get to 5-2 on the season.
Browns Give Steelers Fifth Straight Loss
The 2009 season wasn’t exactly a banner year in Cleveland, but the Browns managed to finish the year with four straight wins. That streak started with a shocking win over the Steelers in freezing cold weather on a Thursday night in Cleveland. Somehow, the Pittsburgh offense was even colder than the weather. The Steelers managed just two field goals and allowed Ben Roethlisberger to get sacked eight times. The Browns, meanwhile, were held scoreless in the second half, but their 13 points in the first half ended up being enough. The Browns won 13-6, handing the Steelers their fifth straight loss, which ultimately kept them out of the playoffs that year.
Browns Pull Off Shocking Upset
When the Browns were reborn in 1999, they were just 2-14 in their first season back. However, one of the two wins came in Week 10 against the Steelers. Pittsburgh dominated the Browns 43-0 in Week 1, only for Cleveland to pull off a stunning upset a couple of months later. The Steelers held a 15-7 lead midway through the fourth quarter but couldn’t finish the job. Rookie Tim Couch threw his second touchdown pass of the game in the fourth quarter and then helped set up a game-winning field goal from Phil Dawson as the final seconds ticked off the clock, giving the Browns a 16-15 win.
Steelers Comeback in 2002 Playoff Meeting
This game was a tale of two halves and perfectly embodies the spirit of the Wild Card Round. Cleveland had to go with backup quarterback Kelly Holcomb in this game, although he ended up throwing for 429 yards and three touchdowns. A punt return from a touchdown from Antwaan Randle El is all the Steelers could muster in the first half, as Pittsburgh trailed 24-7 in the third quarter. However, Holcomb cooled off in the second half while Tommy Maddox heated up. He threw three touchdown passes in the second half, racking up 367 passing yards along the way, ultimately leading the Steelers to a 36-33 win. To add insult to injury, this is Cleveland’s most-recent playoff game, and it’s one they should have won after holding a three-score lead in the second half.
Franco Harris Carries Steelers to Close Win
The 1979 season capped off four Super Bowl wins in a span of six years for Pittsburgh, and late in the season, the Steelers recorded a thrilling victory over the rival Browns. Cleveland actually took a 10-0 lead early and was up 20-6 in the second quarter. But the Steelers turned to running back Franco Harris, who carried the ball 32 times, racking up 151 yards on the ground. Harris also caught nine passes for another 81 yards. He led the team in both rushing and receiving while scoring three touchdowns. After an exhilarating comeback in front of their home fans, the Steelers had enough left in the tank during the overtime session to win 33-30, a win that helped them solidify a sixth consecutive division title.
Steelers Top Browns in First Playoff Meeting
The rivalry may date back to 1950, but it took until the 1994 playoffs for the Browns and Steelers to meet in the playoffs for the first time. Pittsburgh won both regular-season meetings, including a 17-7 victory in Week 16, before dominating Cleveland in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. The Steelers scored three touchdowns in the second quarter and allowed their defense to take it the rest of the way. The Pittsburgh defense surrendered just one touchdown and one field goal all game. The Steelers even got a safety late in the game, sacking quarterback Vinny Testaverde in the end zone to put the finishing touches on a 29-9 win.