Myles Garrett misses sack record, Browns stun Steelers to set up winner-take-all game vs. Ravens in Week 18

Cleveland's defense shut down Aaron Rodgers and Pittsburgh's passing attack

CLEVELAND -- Myles Garrett didn't get the sack record, but his Cleveland Browns recorded a 13-6 upset win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, who missed a golden opportunity to win the AFC North. Cleveland clinched the win after its defense came up with a red-zone stand in the game's final seconds.

The Browns scored on their first two drives, which included Shedeur Sanders' 28-yard touchdown pass to fellow rookie Harold Fannin Jr., who was injured on the play and did not return to the game. That ultimately proved to be the game-winning score.

Pittsburgh's offense clearly missed DK Metcalf, who is serving a two-game suspension stemming from last week's altercation with a Lions fan. The Steelers also played most of the game without Darnell Washington after the massive tight end broke his arm in the first half. 

Without Metcalf and Washington, the Steelers' passing game was completely out of sync. Aaron Rodgers was especially off while enduring one of his worst games of the season. Rodgers' struggles negated Pittsburgh's success on the ground, which produced 131 yards on 24 carries.

While the offense struggled, the Steelers' defense did its part by recording two interceptions of Sanders, who cooled off after his hot start. But the Steelers' offense failed to capitalize on either pick while coming up short on several other scoring opportunities. 

He didn't get a sack, but Garrett had several hurries on Rodgers, who threw for just 168 yards on 21 of 39 passing. Garrett will try to get his coveted sack record next week in Cincinnati against the Bengals.

The Steelers' loss sets up a winner-take-all matchup with the Ravens in Week 18. The winner of next Sunday's game in Pittsburgh will secure the division and the playoff spot that comes with it. Baltimore kept its playoff hopes alive after recording a 41-24 win over the Packers on Saturday night.

[Dec 28, 2025 at 3:52 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Rodgers tries to hit MVS, but to no avail. Browns win, 13-6. Steelers 1-6-1 in last seven games in Cleveland. 

[Dec 28, 2025 at 3:51 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

One chance left for Steelers. 

[Dec 28, 2025 at 3:50 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Denzel Ward was close but not able to come up with the pick. Third and goal from the 7. Time no longer a factor. 

[Dec 28, 2025 at 3:50 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Steelers have a second down on the seven-yard-line, 29 seconds left. 

[Dec 28, 2025 at 3:49 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Steelers now on the Browns' 21 with 50 seconds left. 

[Dec 28, 2025 at 3:46 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Steelers have one last chance to tie it up after the defense held the Browns to a field goal. But they're out of timeouts now. 

[Dec 28, 2025 at 3:39 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Rodgers' fourth down pass batted down, giving the Browns a first down at the Steelers' 20. The Steelers have all of their timeouts left, so the thinking was probably hoping to force Cleveland to a field goal and getting one last shot. 

[Dec 28, 2025 at 3:34 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

A big tackle by Ramsey on Sanders contributes to a Browns punt with 2:16 left. A booming 61-yard punt pins the Steelers back on their own 20. 

Fans are chanting "Myles Garrett" as he remains a sack off the record. 

[Dec 28, 2025 at 3:28 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Despite gaining seven yards on first down, the Steelers have to punt as their passing game continues to be non-existent. Everyone knew Metcalf's presence would be a factor, but I don't think anyone would have expected this. 

The Steelers also lost big TE Darnell Washington to an injury in the first half. So that's two of Rodgers' usual weapons that he doesn't have. 

[Dec 28, 2025 at 3:23 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

A holding call short circuits the Browns' next drive. Cleveland's offense has done nothing since its first two drives, yet it still holds a four-point lead with just over seven minute left. 

Steelers get a nice return by Scotty Miller. They've got 57 yards to travel in 7:03. 

[Dec 28, 2025 at 3:17 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Rodgers is having an off day. Throws incomplete on third down and walks off the field shouting at someone. That's two picks the Steelers' offense has failed to capitalize on. 

Rodgers is 17 of 27 for 110 yards. Clearly missing Metcalf. 

Browns take over at their own 11, up four, with 9:44 left. 

[Dec 28, 2025 at 3:11 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Sanders throws his second pick of the game while under duress, this one by Kyler Dugger, who had positioning over Jeudy, the intended receiver. 

Pittsburgh didn't cash in on its first pick of Sanders. They'll take over at their own 34 with 12:02 left, down 10-6. 

[Dec 28, 2025 at 3:06 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Steelers 12-play drive ends with a missed field goal by Boswell, who has now missed field goals in consecutive weeks. Rodgers took a sack on third down, which made it a longer FG try for Boswell. Alex Wright was able to take Rodgers down from behind. 

[Dec 28, 2025 at 3:01 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Neither team scored in what was a fast third quarter. Steelers will open the fourth with a first down on the Browns' 27. 

One of the biggest differences in this game so far has been Pittsburgh's ability to run the ball. It's allowed them to possess the ball while mostly staying on schedule. Steelers out-rushing the Browns 112-58. 

[Dec 28, 2025 at 3:00 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Rodgers hits Scotty Miller over the middle on a key third down completion that moves the chains. My eyes were on Gainwell in the flat, but Rodgers instead went to Miller. 

Steelers are in FG range after a 13-yard run by Warren. 

[Dec 28, 2025 at 2:56 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Myles Garrett got a hand on Rodgers late in the third, but Rodgers was about to get his pass off to Jonnu Smith in time. Both players had a laugh afterward. 

Steelers finding some rhythm in the passing game on this drive. 

[Dec 28, 2025 at 2:49 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Alex Highsmith continues to be a constant force in the Browns' backfield. Just sacked Sanders, who was trying to take off on a run on the opposite side of the field. 

Highsmith's second sack of the day helped lead to the Browns' first drive of the second half ending in a punt. 

[Dec 28, 2025 at 2:47 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Cleveland's offense on the move as Sanders hits Cannella for a first down. Sanders completed the pass despite getting hit by a blitzing Patrick Queen. 

[Dec 28, 2025 at 2:44 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Heyward gets 15 yards for roughing the passer. He slammed Sanders to the ground in the end zone. Instead of third-and-14, it's first-and-10 on the Browns' 25. 

[Dec 28, 2025 at 2:39 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Rodgers avoided Myles Garrett, but unable to hook up with Adam Thielen on a low percentage pass over the middle as the Steelers have to punt on on their first drive of the half. 

Really don't understand the Steelers' logic on offense. They're having success on the ground but continue to try to get Rodgers going in the passing game. 

[Dec 28, 2025 at 2:31 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Score: Browns, 10-6
Total yards: Browns, 210-145
First downs: Browns, 9-6
Third down: Browns 3-6, Steelers 2-8
Fourth down: Both teams 0-1
TOP: Browns 16:41

Sanders: 12-17, 164 yards, TD, INT, 1 sack
Rodgers: 9-17, 72 yards, 0 TD, 0 sack
Browns: 47 yards on 12 carries
Steelers: 73 yards on 12 carries
Warren: 35 yards on 6 carries
Gainwell: 3 catches for 12 yards 
Jerry Jeudy: 54 yards on 5 catches 

[Dec 28, 2025 at 2:20 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Five completions by Rodgers set up Chris Boswell's 40-yard FG just before the half, making it a 10-6 Browns lead at halftime. 

[Dec 28, 2025 at 2:15 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Steelers moving quick with time running out in the first half. Rodgers hits Gainwell on a short throw to midfield with 34 seconds left. 

[Dec 28, 2025 at 2:08 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

On his very next pass attempt after the pick, Sanders is nearly picked off by Nick Herbig. Had Herbig hung onto the ball, it would have been a sure pick-six. 

[Dec 28, 2025 at 2:05 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Rodgers tries a very surprising deep shot to Scotty Miller on fourth-and-1 on the Browns' 22-yard-line. Really confusing call. Rodgers hasn't been effective outside and the running game has been solid. 

Big stand for the Browns, who don't allow any points off of the Sawyer pick. 

[Dec 28, 2025 at 2:04 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Rodgers appeared to get the first down on a QB slide, but officials determined that he ended up a yard short of the first. Huge play coming up for the Steelers, who are trying to capitalize off of Sawyer's pick. 

[Dec 28, 2025 at 2:02 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Sanders was hit as he was throwing the ball, and his outside pass is picked off by fellow rookie Jack Sawyer. Huge play for a Steelers team that needed something. 

[Dec 28, 2025 at 1:59 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Sanders hits Isaiah Bond over the middle for 16 yards as the Browns' offense is on the move again. 

Unrelated, but the sun has come out in Cleveland. What initially was expected to be a gray, rainy day is nice at the moment. 

[Dec 28, 2025 at 1:54 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

DK Metcalf's absence was really felt on that drive. 

MVS and Rodgers unable to connect on a fade route to the far side. On third down, Rodgers tried to hit Adam Thielen on a back shoulder fade far side, but Theilen can't hang onto the ball. 

It's clear the Steelers need to double down on running the ball. They've had success on the ground, but it's clear they don't want to give up on the passing game just yet. 

[Dec 28, 2025 at 1:49 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Browns go for it on fourth down, but Sanders' pass for Sam Cannella falls incomplete. Highsmith finally got to Sanders a few plays earlier, which contributed to the Browns' driving ending without points. 

Jeudy was one-on-one with Porter on that fourth down throw, but based on how quick Sanders threw it to Canella, Jeudy wasn't really an option.