How To Watch & Listen
- Game Coverage begins at 1:00 p.m. ET.
- TV: Broadcast on CBS, locally on KDKA-TV.
- Radio: Steelers Radio Network (WDVE, SNR in Pittsburgh).
- Complete coverage details >>>
Playoff Picture
- The Steelers are currently sitting in the No. 3 seed in the AFC playoff picture after clinching the AFC North Division title in Week 16 with their win over the Colts.
- The Steelers can jump the Buffalo Bills and claim the No. 2 seed in Week 17 with the following scenario:
- PIT win + BUF loss
- The Browns are fighting to make the playoffs needing the following scenarios to clinch a wild-card spot:
- Win vs. PIT or
- IND loss or
- TEN loss + MIA win + BAL win
Status Report
- Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger did not participate in practice in prep for Week 17 and is listed as OUT. He will give way for Mason Rudolph to start.
- Safety Terrell Edmunds (Shoulder) and kicker Chris Boswell (Groin) will miss Week 17 as well due to their respective injuries.
- On Saturday defensive tackle Cameron Heyward, linebacker T.J. Watt and center Maurkice Pouncey were downgraded to OUT.
- Also on Saturday, cornerback Joe Haden, tight end Eric Ebron and linebacker Cassius Marsh were placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. Offensive tackle Anthony Coyle and wide receiver Deon Cain were elevated to the Active/Inactive roster from the practice squad, and tight end Kevin Rader and kicker Matthew Wright were elevated to the Active/Inactive roster from the practice squad as COVID-19 replacements.
- Complete Injury/Status Report >>>
Facts From NFL Research (@NFLResearch):
- Baker Mayfield, whose 41.9 passer rating against pressure this season ranks last among QBs to start all of their teams games, squares off against a Steelers defense who pressures the QB on an NFL-leading 38.1% of drop backs.
- Ben Roethlisberger has played in one Week 17 game in the last five seasons.
- 2019 - missed game due to season ending elbow injury
- 2018 - Started and won vs Cincinnati
- 2017 - DNP - Rest - Steelers clinched playoff birth
- 2016 - DNP - Rest - Steelers clinched playoff birth - This will be the fourth matchup between Mason Rudolph and Baker Mayfield across their collegiate and NFL careers.
- Mayfield holds a 3-0 lead against Rudolph thus far with a 2-0 record in college and a 1-0 record in the NFL.
Last Meeting - Week 6, Steelers 38, Browns 7
- Read the Steelers.com game recap >>>
- The Week 6 matchup featured a dominant performance by the Pittsburgh defense, getting to Browns QB Baker Mayfield early and often to the tune of four sacks (Mayfield would leave the game in the third quarter with an injury).
- The Pittsburgh defense also pitched in on the scoreboard courtesy of a pick-six by S Minkah Fitzpatrick on the Browns first offensive possession of the game.
- The Steelers offense was getting it done on the ground as RB James Conner racked up 101 yards and touchdown on the day and featured short rushing touchdowns from RB Benny Snell and WR Chase Claypool.
- The Week 6 win propelled the Steelers to a 5-0 record for just the second time in franchise history.
Series History
- The Week 17 matchup between the Steelers and Browns will be the 137th regular season meeting between the two squads (138th overall).
- Pittsburgh holds a 77-59-1 advantage in the series overall and a 28-38-1 record on the road.
- The Steelers have won 22 of the last 27 meetings with the Browns and are currently on a two game win-streak.
- The Steelers are 35-7-1 against the Brown since the 1999 season. The 82.6% win rate against the Browns is the highest by any team against a single opponent (min. 5 games) in the NFL during this span.
- Pittsburgh's last loss to Cleveland, a 21-7 defeat, came on the road Week 11 of 2019 NFL season.
- Coach Mike Tomlin enters the game 22-4-1 against the Browns at the helm of the Steelers.
What To Watch For from Steelers Media Network Members
Arthur Moats – Former Steelers LB and Co-Host of SNR's Steelers Blitz
Defensively, it all starts with tackling machine Avery Williamson. He was very impressive last week leading the Steelers in tackles…and his reward? The tandem of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Avery must stay focused on his tackling, especially in the open field because that has been a major part of the Browns running game success. If he can minimize the Browns rushing attack and force them to become one dimensional, we will all be smiling on Sunday!
Mike Prisuta - Steelers Radio Network Host
1. Get out of town healthy: Take any and all available precautions toward that end.
2. Ready the reserves: Some guys playing that don't normally play might have to play in the playoffs. Coach 'em up.
3. Big-picture mentality: The game is critical to Cleveland. Don't get caught up in anything unnecessary that might impact next week.
Craig Wolfley - Steelers Radio Network Color Analyst
The bread and butter of the Browns offense is the Nick Chubb, two Tight End, outside zone blocking scheme. The Browns are knocking out 145.5 rushing yards per game. Their pocket moving, play-action passing rollout successes are directly related to their ground game. The Steelers front end on defense needs to shoot their hands, secure a strong lockout, and make sure they keep their shoulders square to the line of scrimmage. If the Browns get the Steelers trench fighters to turn and run, making them one-dimensional, they will run the Steelers right out of FirstEnergy Stadium. On offense, the Steelers put up 38 points in their first go-round. Why mess with success? Well, that would mean a return to a run-first commitment like they did with over 100-yards rushing, 34 rushing attempts, taking shots downfield, add in screens, draws and moving the pocket. If you did it once, you can do it again.
