The Browns closed out the home slate of the 2025 season with a 13-6 win over the Steelers, a win that was chalked full of standout performances from the Browns.
"Really proud of those guys in that football game, to be in that fight for 60 minutes and come out on top," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "Some really, really great efforts in that game."
After the Browns' victory over the Steelers, let's look at some players who made a difference against Pittsburgh.
Myles Garrett
DE Myles Garrett's presence on the field greatly impacted the Steelers' offensive approach, forcing QB Aaron Rodgers to throw quick checkdown passes to avoid pressure from Garrett or other members of the Browns' defensive line.
"I think Myles affects every single game," Stefanski said following the game. "Obviously he shows up in the stat sheet in a bunch of different areas, but even the things you don't see – how they have to play the game, I mean, they have to play an empty the entire game and chip both sides. Those are two eligibles that aren't getting out on the route immediately. So, it affects how teams play us."
Garrett finished the game with one tackle and one quarterback hit against the Steelers. However, his presence on the field and the attention focused on Garrett created opportunities for his teammates, including S Grant Delpit and DE Alex Wright to each sack Rodgers. Wright's sack forced a long field goal attempt from Chris Boswell at the start the fourth quarter that went wide right and allowed the Browns to keep their 10-6 lead.
Harold Fannin Jr.
TE Harold Fannin Jr. added a critical score for the Browns in the first quarter, one which gave the Browns a 10-0 lead and would be the only touchdown scored throughout the game.
As QB Shedeur Sanders looked downfield for an open man, he saw Fannin around the 10-yard line with some space between him and two Steelers' defenders. He launched the ball 27 yards into the air, which Fannin adjusted to where the ball was falling and caught the pass, rolling into the end zone for the 28-yard touchdown reception.
"That was an incredible job adjusting to that football," Stefanski said. "It was a good read by Shedeur, then to get in the end zone was great."
He sustained a groin injury on the touchdown reception, which ultimately ruled him out for the remainder of the game. Fannin finished the game with two receptions for 30 yards and the touchdown.
See the best photos as the Cleveland Browns celebrate their 13-6 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Browns celebrate after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field.
Denzel Ward
CB Denzel Ward played a critical role in securing the win for the Browns as the Steelers ran one final offensive drive.
With less than 30 seconds left in the fourth quarter and the Steelers deep in the red zone, the Browns were looking for key stops to keep Pittsburgh out of the end zone to tie the game. QB Aaron Rodgers took three consecutive shots at the end zone to WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and on each pass, Ward covered Valdes-Scantling.
All three passes fell incomplete, with Ward recording a pass defensed on the fourth-down passing attempt. The incompletion also forced a turnover on downs and sealed the game for the Browns.
"That's why we have him – if you're going to try him and don't think he's going to be up for the challenge, he'll prove you wrong every time," Harris said.
Carson Schwesinger
While Stefanski highlighted the group effort and individual contributions to the win over the Steelers, he handed out one game ball in the locker room following the game. LB Carson Schwesinger received that game ball, highlighting his determination to finish the game as Stefanski described Schwesinger working through an injury.
Schwesinger recorded nine tackles against the Steelers, tying the team lead with LB Devin Bush. He also played 100 percent of the Browns' defensive snaps.
"I watched it during the game and making plays and pushing himself and trying to get loose in between series and that type of thing," Stefanski said. "It's emblematic of the effort out there. And I appreciate that and I think it speaks well about him. It speaks to his teammates as well."
