Browns 6, Steelers 27: drive chart, EPA and box score

Week 8 · Sun, Nov 1 · Acrisure StadiumFinal

Final

	1	2	3	4	T
CLE	0	6	0	0	6
PIT	7	13	7	0	27

Home · 6-2PittsburghSteelers27

At a glanceUpdated Nov 10, 2026, 2:36 PM ET

The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns 27-6 on Sun, Nov 1 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA (Week 8, 2026 season). Records after the game: Browns 5-4, Steelers 6-2. H.Fannin (CLE) led all players with +8.2 EPA on 12 targets.

Who won Browns vs Steelers?

The Pittsburgh Steelers won 27-6. By quarter: CLE 0-6-0-0, PIT 7-13-7-0.

Who was the best player in Browns vs Steelers?

By expected points added: H.Fannin (CLE, +8.2 EPA on 12 targets), D.Washington (PIT, +6.0 EPA on 5 targets) and J.Warren (PIT, +5.2 EPA on 17 carries).

What was the turning point of Browns vs Steelers?

The biggest swing in win probability (9 points toward the Steelers) came in Q1 at 10:41: (Shotgun) D.Watson sacked at CLV 45 for -5 yards (sack split by P.Queen and C.Heyward). FUMBLES (P.Queen) [P.Queen], touched at CLV 45, RECOVERED by PIT-K.Benton at CLV 45. The fumble was assisted by replay.

Cite this page

Pigskin Nightly, “Browns 6, Steelers 27: Week 8 recap”, https://pigskinnightly.com/games/2026-11-01-cle-at-pit (updated 2026-11-10).

How we calculate Plain-text version Report an error

The Verdict

Week 8 issue →

Week 8EarnedGame file →

Browns43% success · −0.22 EPA/play

627

Steelers47% success · +0.02 EPA/play

CLE 1% deserveddeserved 99% PIT

Steelers earned it: the snaps said Steelers by 12.1, a deserved win probability of 99%.

Deserved marginPIT by 12.1

Real marginPIT by 21

Luck pts CLE−6.5

Luck pts PIT+7.1

The swingQ1 10:41 · CLE · −12 pts of win probability. (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson sacked at CLE 45 for -5 yards (sack split by 6-P.Queen and 97-C.Heyward). FUMBLES (6-P.Queen) [6-P.Queen], touched at CLE 45, RECOVERED by PIT-95-K.Benton at CLE 45. The fumble was assisted by…

Flags that moved this game

1Roughing the PasserPIT → helped CLE · Wk 8 Q1 13:37 · (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass incomplete short right to 1-K.Concepcion. CLE-4-D.Watson was injured during the play. PENALTY on…+7.0 WP
2Ineligible Downfield PassCLE → helped PIT · Wk 8 Q1 13:33 · (Shotgun) 2-S.Sanders pass incomplete short right. PENALTY on CLE-71-T.Howard, Ineligible Downfield Pass, 5 yards, enforced at…+1.9 WP

Fourth downs our model disagreed with

1PIT · 4th & 2Mike McCarthy chose Field goal at opp 2, Wk 8 Q2 14:08, up 7. Model: Go for it (lean). Result: good.−0.34 EP

Deserved win probability from the snaps, fumble bounces evened out. How we judge

From the Lab

This game, re-drawn

All Lab tools →

Game DNA143 plays, one strand0 lead changes · 13 explosive plays · downloadable poster →

Officiating crewAlex Kemp14 accepted flags in this game · 13.3 a game this season (one of the quietest crews)Market vs SnapsLine: PIT by 3.5 · Snaps: PIT by 12.1Steelers covered; the snaps agree

6@27

Week 8

If the Browns had recovered that fumble

Browns after the play14%what really happened

Q2 7:15 13-R.Dowdle right end to CLE 23 for 14 yards (5-Q.Williams). FUMBLES (5-Q.Williams), recovered by PIT-76-T.Fautanu at CLE 19.

Every game's sliding door →

Home win probability, play by play

The river

100%

Hover, tap or drag along the river to read any play. Arrow keys work too. Click to jump to its drive.

PIT ▲CLE ▼

Q1Q2Q3Q4

The five biggest swings

+9%Q1 10:41 · for PIT(Shotgun) D.Watson sacked at CLV 45 for -5 yards (sack split by P.Queen and C.Heyward). FUMBLES (P.Queen) [P.Queen], touched at CLV 45, RECOVERED by PIT-K.Benton at CLV 45. The fumble was assisted by replay.
+7%Q1 4:17 · for PIT(Shotgun) J.Warren up the middle to CLV 25 for 51 yards (C.Schwesinger).
+5%Q1 12:17 · for PIT(Shotgun) S.Sanders pass short right to H.Fannin to CLV 42 for 2 yards (D.Everette; R.Spears-Jennings).Penalty on CLV-S.Fano, Offensive Holding, declined.Pittsburgh challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was REVERSED.(Shotgun) S.Sanders pass short right to H.Fannin to CLV 42 for 2 yards (D.Everette; R.Spears-Jennings). FUMBLES (D.Everette), RECOVERED by PIT-D.Everette at CLV 42.Penalty on CLV-S.Fano, Offensive Holding, declined.
+5%Q2 0:01 · for PIT(Shotgun) Direct snap to P.Freiermuth. P.Freiermuth up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-C.Kuntz, Holder-C.Johnston.
+4%Q1 13:37 · for CLE(Shotgun) D.Watson pass incomplete short right to K.Concepcion. CLV-D.Watson was injured during the play. PENALTY on PIT-J.Brisker, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enforced at CLV 29 - No Play.

Every drive, on the field

PIT attacks →← CLE attacks

Q1 15:00FUM5p · 15y · 2:52
Q1 12:08MISS4p · 3y · 0:54
Q1 11:14FUM2p · -2y · 0:40
Q1 10:34TD5p · 45y · 2:37
Q1 7:57PUNT3p · -4y · 1:40
Q1 6:17FG13p · 86y · 7:12
Q2 14:05FG10p · 61y · 5:22
Q2 8:43FG10p · 45y · 5:16
Q2 3:27FG8p · 44y · 2:42
Q2 0:45TD6p · 69y · 0:44
Q2 0:01HALF1p · -1y · 0:01
Q3 15:00PUNT5p · 16y · 2:31
Q3 12:29PUNT3p · 8y · 2:06
Q3 10:23TD2p · 59y · 0:44
Q3 9:39PUNT3p · 8y · 1:43
Q3 7:56INT6p · 25y · 3:37
Q3 4:19DOWNS12p · 68y · 6:26
Q4 12:53PUNT3p · 3y · 1:33
Q4 11:20PUNT3p · -12y · 1:28
Q4 9:52PUNT5p · 39y · 3:01
Q4 6:51DOWNS11p · 66y · 3:31
Q4 3:20PUNT3p · -10y · 1:36
Q4 1:44END5p · 38y · 1:44

Browns10 drives2scoring drives (0 TD)20%drives ending in pointsOWN 28avg starting field position4three-and-outs4turnovers incl. downs

Steelers11 drives5scoring drives (3 TD)45%drives ending in pointsOWN 28avg starting field position2three-and-outs1turnovers incl. downs

Scoring summary

Q1
7:57TouchdownS.Anderson reported in as eligible. R.Dowdle right guard for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-C.Kuntz, Holder-C.Johnston.PENALTY on PIT-M.McCormick, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced between downs.0–7
Q2
14:05Field goalY.Black and T.Fautanu reported in as eligible. C.Boswell 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-C.Kuntz, Holder-C.Johnston.0–10
Q2
8:43Field goal A.Szmyt 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-R.Sunahara, Holder-C.Bojorquez.3–10
Q2
3:27Field goalC.Boswell 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-C.Kuntz, Holder-C.Johnston.3–13
Q2
0:45Field goalA.Szmyt 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-R.Sunahara, Holder-C.Bojorquez.6–13
Q2
0:01Touchdown(Shotgun) Direct snap to P.Freiermuth. P.Freiermuth up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-C.Kuntz, Holder-C.Johnston.6–20
Q3
9:39TouchdownS.Anderson reported in as eligible. J.Warren right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-C.Kuntz, Holder-C.Johnston.PENALTY on CLV-S.Williams, Taunting, 15 yards, enforced between downs.6–27

Team stats

CLEvsPIT

319Total yards361

285Passing yards161

34Rushing yards200

5.0Yards per play6.1

17First downs21

4-13 · 31%Third down4-11 · 36%

0-2Fourth down0-0

0-3Red zone TDs3-5

29/41Comp / att13/25

2.3Yards per carry6.1

2Turnovers1

8 (−41 yds)Sacks allowed1 (−11 yds)

9 for 85Penalties5 for 47

30:15Possession29:45

Expected points added · nflverse model

The game in EPA

EPA per play-0.275+0.131

Dropback EPA-0.212-0.146

Rush EPA-0.519+0.341

Success rate43%47%

Explosive plays49

Plays6358

Who moved the needle

H.FanninTargets: 12+8.2

D.WashingtonTargets: 5+6.0

J.WarrenCarries: 17+5.2

R.DowdleCarries: 15+2.6

D.SampsonTargets: 8+1.7

K.ConcepcionTargets: 4+0.9

Cost their side the most

D.WatsonDropbacks: 48-6.5

Q.JudkinsCarries: 11-6.3

D.MetcalfTargets: 6-5.6

Box score

Cleveland Browns

Passing	C/ATT	YDS	AVG	TD	INT	SACKS	QBR	RTG
Deshaun WatsonQB	27/39	324	8.3	0	0	8-41	29.2	94.4
Shedeur SandersQB	2/2	2	1.0	0	0	0-0	9.2	79.2

Rushing	CAR	YDS	AVG	LONG
Quinshon JudkinsRB	11	25	2.3	7
Dylan SampsonRB	1	7	7.0	7
Deshaun WatsonQB	3	2	0.7	3

Receiving	REC	TGTS	YDS	AVG	LONG
Harold Fannin Jr.TE	10	12	154	15.4	37
Dylan SampsonRB	6	7	62	10.3	14
KC ConcepcionWR	3	4	37	12.3	24
Denzel BostonWR	6	12	37	6.2	12
Quinshon JudkinsRB	2	2	24	12.0	12
Blake WhiteheartTE	1	1	9	9.0	9
Tylan WallaceWR	1	1	3	3.0	3
Jerry JeudyWR	0	1	0	0.0	0

Defense	TOT	SOLO	TFL	PD
Carson SchwesingerLB	10	4	0	0
Emmanuel McNeil-WarrenS	9	2	0	0
Ronnie HickmanS	7	3	0	0
Quincy WilliamsLB	5	2	1	1
Tyson CampbellCB	5	1	0	1
Maliek CollinsDT	4	2	1	0
Grant DelpitS	4	2	1	0
Mike Hall Jr.DT	4	2	0	0
Mason GrahamDT	3	3	3	0
Myles HardenCB	3	2	0	0

Kicking	FG	PCT	LONG	XP	PTS
Andre SzmytPK	2/2	100.0	49	0/0	6

Pittsburgh Steelers

Passing	C/ATT	YDS	AVG	TD	INT	SACKS	QBR	RTG
Aaron RodgersQB	13/25	172	6.9	0	1	1-11	40.0	57.4

Rushing	CAR	YDS	AVG	TD	LONG
Jaylen WarrenRB	17	143	8.4	1	51
Rico DowdleRB	15	56	3.7	1	15
Pat FreiermuthTE	1	1	1.0	1	1

Receiving	REC	TGTS	YDS	AVG	LONG
Darnell WashingtonTE	3	5	94	31.3	58
Pat FreiermuthTE	2	2	35	17.5	28
Germie BernardWR	5	5	30	6.0	15
Brandon JohnsonWR	1	1	9	9.0	9
DK MetcalfWR	1	6	4	4.0	4
Jaylen WarrenRB	1	2	0	0.0	0
Riley NowakowskiFB	0	1	0	0.0	0

Defense	TOT	SOLO	SACKS	TFL	PD	QB HTS
Patrick QueenLB	12	3	1.5	1	1	2
Robert Spears-JenningsS	9	4	0	0	0	0
Payton WilsonLB	8	3	0	1	0	0
Jaquan BriskerS	7	4	0	0	0	0
Cameron HeywardDT	6	3	1.5	2	1	1
Jamel DeanCB	5	3	0	0	0	0
Alex HighsmithLB	5	1	0.5	0	0	3
Jalen RamseyCB	4	3	0	0	0	0
Jack SawyerLB	3	1	0	0	0	0
Keeanu BentonDT	3	0	0.5	0	1	1

Kicking	FG	PCT	LONG	XP	PTS
Chris BoswellPK	2/3	66.7	37	3/3	9

Before kickoff · Regular season through week 7 · rank out of 32

Where it was expected to be decided

1Steelers third-down defense vs Browns third-down offense
The Steelers' third-down defense ranks 7th in third-down conversion rate (35.9% allowed, 92 third downs faced) and faces a Browns third-down offense ranked 30th (32.6%, 89 third downs).
30thCLE offense23 spots apart7thPIT defense
2Browns pass defense vs Steelers dropback offense
The Browns' pass defense ranks 9th in EPA per dropback (-0.00 allowed, 266 dropbacks faced) and faces a Steelers dropback offense ranked 28th (-0.11, 290 dropbacks).
28thPIT offense19 spots apart9thCLE defense
3Steelers pass rush vs Browns pass protection
The Steelers' pass rush ranks 13th in sack rate (6.7% of dropbacks, 268 dropbacks faced) and faces a Browns pass protection ranked 32nd (9.6% sacked, 260 dropbacks).
32ndCLE offense19 spots apart13thPIT defense

When the Browns have the ballEdge PIT · +18 ranks

CLE dropback offenseEPA per dropbackPIT pass defense

21st+0.02260 dropbacks

PIT +10

+0.01 allowed268 dropbacks faced11th

CLE run gameEPA per rushPIT run defense

26th-0.17155 rushes

PIT +18

-0.13 allowed155 rushes faced8th

Dropbacks include sacks and scrambles; rushes are designed runs. What EPA measures.

When the Steelers have the ballEdge CLE · +19 ranks

PIT dropback offenseEPA per dropbackCLE pass defense

28th-0.11290 dropbacks

CLE +19

-0.00 allowed266 dropbacks faced9th

PIT run gameEPA per rushCLE run defense

2nd+0.07146 rushes

PIT +12

-0.09 allowed172 rushes faced14th

Third downEdge PIT · +23 ranks

CLE third-down offensethird-down conversion ratePIT third-down defense

30th32.6%89 third downs

PIT +23

35.9% allowed92 third downs faced7th

PIT third-down offensethird-down conversion rateCLE third-down defense

19th39.6%91 third downs

40.4% allowed99 third downs faced14th

Conversions are third-down snaps that gained a first down or scored.

Red zoneEdge CLE · +22 ranks

CLE red-zone offensered-zone touchdown ratePIT red-zone defense

19th56%16 trips

PIT +12

46% allowed13 trips faced7th

PIT red-zone offensered-zone touchdown rateCLE red-zone defense

30th45%20 trips

CLE +22

47% allowed19 trips faced8th

A trip is a drive with at least one snap inside the opponent's 20; the rate is trips that ended in an offensive touchdown. Small samples swing fast here.

Explosive playsEdge PIT · +8 ranks

CLE big-play offenseexplosive-play ratePIT defense against big plays

22nd8.7%415 plays

9.5% allowed423 plays faced16th

PIT big-play offenseexplosive-play rateCLE defense against big plays

21st8.7%436 plays

PIT +8

11.0% allowed438 plays faced29th

Completions of 20+ yards and runs of 10+, per snap. Definition.

Pressure & sacksEdge PIT · +19 ranks

CLE pass protectionsack ratePIT pass rush

32nd9.6% sacked260 dropbacks

PIT +19

6.7% of dropbacks268 dropbacks faced13th

PIT pass protectionsack rateCLE pass rush

25th7.6% sacked290 dropbacks

CLE +19

7.5% of dropbacks266 dropbacks faced6th

Sacks per dropback. The public play-by-play has no pressure charting, so this is the sack side of it only.

TurnoversEdge PIT · +9 ranks

CLE ball securityturnovers per gamePIT takeaway defense

17th1.1 giveaways a game7 games

PIT +9

1.4 takeaways a game7 games8th

PIT ball securityturnovers per gameCLE takeaway defense

15th1.0 giveaways a game7 games

1.3 takeaways a game7 games13th

Interceptions and lost fumbles on offensive snaps, per game. Turnover rates are among the least stable numbers in football.

Sample: CLE 7 games, 415 offensive and 438 defensive plays · PIT 7 games, 436 offensive and 423 defensive plays. Rank 1 is the best offense or the best defense in each stat. Keys are the largest rank gaps (12+ spots) between an offense and the defense it faces, one per stat. Ranks are not schedule-adjusted.

Starters, confirmed

ConfirmedEvery game →

Confirmed from the official snap counts: at every position group the starters are the snap leaders. Expected lineup = today's depth chart, adjusted for the injury report.

Expected, did not start

Michael BurtonFB→ Dylan Sampson

Easton Mascarenas-ArnoldWLB→ Mike Hall Jr.

Myles HardenNB→ Emmanuel McNeil-Warren

Riley NowakowskiFB→ Rico Dowdle

Ben SkowronekWR→ Brandon Smith

Yahya BlackLDE→ Nick Herbig

AwayBrowns2 questionable · 3 changes