Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers -- Live Game Thread

The Cleveland Browns face the Pittsburgh Steelers in week seventeen with their playoff hopes on the line. Check this article throughout the game for live updates.

The Cleveland Browns (10-5) host the Pittsburgh Steelers (12-3) at FirstEnergy Stadium for the regular season finale. The Browns are coming off a week sixteen loss to the New York Jets and are fighting to secure a wildcard playoff spot. Beating the Steelers in this matchup will clinch the Browns first playoff berth since 2002. 

The Steelers on the other hand have clinched the AFC North division and are resting numerous starters. In Ben Roethlisberger's absence, Mason Rudolph will start his first game of the season. This will be Rudolph's first on-field encounter with Myles Garrett since last season's helmet incident. In the event of a loss, the Steelers will remain the number three seed in the playoff standings.

If the Cleveland Browns manage to lose their playoff hopes are not in complete jeopardy. If the Indianapolis Colts lose to the Jacksonville Jaguars it will guarantee the Browns playoff spot. Lastly, the Browns playoff standings can be improved following a loss by the Miami Dolphins or Baltimore Ravens.

Check this article throughout the game for live updates and commentary.

Watch the Cleveland Browns pregame Tailgate Show live at 11AM on our Facebook Page.

Livestream <-- Click Here

Inactives <-- Click Here

First Quarter

The Cleveland Browns won the coin toss and will kickoff. Deferring to the second half.

Callie Brownson will act as the game's WR coach and passing game coordinator with coach Chad O'Shea out due to a positive COVID test.

1st & 10, James Conner takes the first carry of the game and tackled quickly for a two yard gain.

2nd & 8, Conner gets back-to-back carries fighting forward for 4 yards.

3rd & 4, Mason Rudolph attempts his first pass connecting with Chase Claypool on a slant for a first down against tight coverage.

1st & 10, Rudolph back to pass throws quickly to the flat to JuJu Smith-Schuster for a 5 yard gain.

2nd & 5, Rudolph fakes the handoff and moves in the pocket away from pressure dumping off a incomplete pass to Conner.

3rd & 5, Rudolph stands in the pocket and quickly pressured by Myles Garrett throwing the ball away at Smith-Schuster.

4th & 5, Jordan Berry on to punt and pins the Browns inside the 15 yard line.

1st & 10, Nick Chubb takes first carry and runs through big hole for a 10 yard gain.

1st & 10, Chubb lines up in the shotgun next to Mayfield takes the handoff running for 3 yards. 

2nd & 7, Baker Mayfield in an empty backfield finds Jarvis Landry underneath for a first down gain.

2nd & 10, Mayfield quickly throws to Austin Hooper in the flat for a 11 yard catch and run with the blitz coming off the edge.

1st & 10, Nick Chubb takes handoff bouncing it outside for a 47 yard touchdown run.

Browns 7 - Steelers 0

1st & 10, Anthony McFarland takes a carry and runs for a 3 yard gain.

Josh Dobbs in at quarterback replacing Mason Rudolph.

2nd & 7, Ray Ray McCloud takes the jet sweep and is tackled for a 3 yard loss.

3rd & 10, Rudolph throws in the middle underneath to Vance McDonald tackled short of the first down by Karl Joseph.

4th & 1, Berry on to punt pins Browns inside the 10 as Donovan Peoples-Jones is tackled for no gain on the return.

1st & 10, Kareem Hunt gets the handoff and is tackled behind the line of scrimmage for a one yard loss.

3rd & 10, Mayfield in the shotgun finds Donovan Peoples-Jones in the flat for a 10 yard catch and run.

1st & 10, Hunt gets another carry powering forward for three yards.

2nd & 7, Mayfield in an empty formation throws a low bullet to Austin Hooper for a 12 yard pickup.

1st & 10, Hunts takes the carry and fights forward for 4 yards.

2nd & 6, Wyatt Teller flagged for false start and 5 yard loss.

2nd & 11, Mayfield throws a quick pass to Donovan Peoples-Jones making an acrobatic catch for a 9 yard gain.

Mike Tomlin throws challenge flag of a completed catch. Peoples-Jones appears to not get two feet down.

The call of a catch is overturned.

3rd & 11, Mayfield back to pass checks down to Kareem Hunt who is tackled quickly for a 4 yard gain.

4th & 7, Jamie Gillan on to punt and punts it 51 yards pinning the Steelers on the 8 yard line.

1st & 10, Conner takes the delayed handoff and fights for a 9 yard gain.

2nd & 1, Conner with back-to-back carries and gains 5 yards for a first down.

2nd & 10, Rudolph dumps the ball off to James Conner who breaks a tackle in the backfield to gain 2 yards.

3rd & 8, Rudolph throws a quick out route to Chase Claypool for a first down.

1st & 10, Benny Snell takes his first carry of the game for a 3 yard gain.

Second Quarter

2nd & 7, Mason Rudolph with pressure in face takes a deep shot to Claypool and it's just out of reach.

3rd & 7, Rudolph back to pass scrambles from the pocket and slips after passing the line of scrimmage.

4th & 6, Jordan Berry punts the ball and Peoples-Jones returns for a couple yards to the 26 yard line.

1st & 15, Nick Chubb takes the carry and burst threw for a 10+ yard getting back the penalty yards and more.

2nd & 2, Mayfield back to pass throws a great pass to Rashard Higgins down the near sideline for a 44 yard reception.

1st & 10, Mayfield in the shotgun and his pass is batted down at the line of scrimmage by NT Tyson Alualu.

2nd & 10, Mayfield back to pass steps up in the pocket and side arms a pass to Jarvis Landry over the middle for a first down.

1st & 10, Nick Chubb gets another carry and gain 8 yards on the run.

2nd & 2, Chubb takes the handoff and churns his legs for a 2 yard gain and a new set of downs.

1st & Goal, Mayfield fakes the handoff targeting David Njoku in the endzone and Minkah Fitzpatrick knocks the ball down incomplete.

3rd & Goal, Mayfield throws a high ball to David Njoku the ball is caught but he can't get two feet inbounds.

4th & Goal, Cody Parkey on to kick a chip shot field goal and it is good.

Browns 10 - Steelers 0

1st & 10, McFarland takes the carry and gains a quick 4 yards.

2nd & 6, James Conner gets the handoff spinning off a tackle for 3 yards.

3rd & 3, Josh Dobbs in at QB on the read option hands off to Anthony McFarland for 5 yard gain.

2nd & 10, McFarland is tackled for a loss by Olivier Vernon.

3rd & 11, Rudolph quickly pressured throws a dime down the sideline to Diontae Johnson over Robert Jackson for 41 yards.

1st & 10, Josh Dobbs runs a QB draw and bounces it outside for 13 yards.

1st & 10, Ray Ray McCloud jet sweep is tackled behind the line of scrimmage for no gain.

2nd & 10, Rudolph checks the ball underneath to Conner for a one yard gain.

3rd & 9, Rudolph back to pass is pressured and grabbed by Adrian Clayborn causing the incompletion.

4th & 9, Matthew Wright to kick the 29-yard field goal is good.

Browns 10 - Steelers 3

1st & 10, Kareem Hunt takes the carry for a short 3 yard gain.

2nd & 7, Mayfield back to pass and is sacked by Chris Wormley for a nine yard loss.

3rd & 16, Hunt gets a carry and breaks a couple tackles for a 12 yard pickup.

4th & 4, Jamie Gillan on punt and boots its 49 yards with a short return by Ray Ray McCloud.

1st & 10, Myles Garrett flagged for neutral zone infraction.

1st & 5, Rudolph back to pass connects with Smith-Schuster for a first down gain. Two minute warning.

1st & 10, Alejandro Villanueva flagged for holding.

1st & 20, Rudolph dumps the ball off to James Conner and the ball pops in the air incomplete.

2nd & 20, Rudolph throws in the flat to James Conner for a 11 yard catch and run.

3rd & 9, Rudolph back to pass finds JuJu Smith-Schuster for a 26 yard catch and run.

1st & 10, Rudolph throws quick pass to Vance McDonald for a 6 yard pickup.

2nd & 4, Rudolph back to pass is sacked by Olivier Vernon for a 8 yard loss after slipping while in pursuit. 

3rd & 13, Josh Dobbs keeps the read option running outside and is helicoptered on the hit for a 7 yard gain.

4th & 4, Matthew Wright's 46-yard field goal attempt is good.

Browns 10 - Steelers 6

1st & 10, Mayfield back to pass throws a high pass to Donovan Peoples-Jones is down on the field after a big hit in the lower back.

2nd & 10, Hunt motions out of the backfield into empty set and Baker Mayfield is sacked by Alex Highsmith.

3rd & 20, Kareem Hunt takes the handoff and is tripped up for a 4 yard gain.

4th & 16, Mayfield takes the snap throwing it deep out of bounds to end the half.

Halftime

The Browns have found success running the ball and could run it earlier in their series. Overall the offense line holding up but in the second quarter the Steelers have been able to get after Mayfield. Long sustained drives controlling the clock will help seal the game in the second half. DC Joe Woods will have to figure out how to get better matchups as the Steelers target CB Robert Jackson in coverage and finding success doing so.

Third Quarter

1st & 10, Nick Chubb takes the first carry of the half for a 6 yard gain.

3rd & 4, Mayfield back to pass and connects with Jarvis Landry right at the first down marker for a first down.

1st & 10, Mayfield off playaction steps up in the pocket slips and falls in the pocket for a 7 yard loss.

2nd & 17, Mayfield throws underneath to Jarvis Landry who reverses field and gains 14 on the catch run.

3rd & 3, Mayfield back to pass escapes the pocket running for the first down and is tackled short.

4th & 1, Mayfield lining up in power formation and Browns flagged for false start.

4th & 6, Jamie Gillan on to punt and kicks it out bounds to prevent return.

1st & 10, Rudolph throws into the flat to James Conner for a 3 yard gain.

2nd & 7, Conner takes a quick handoff and can't reach the edge losing one yard.

3rd & 8, Rudolph back to pass takes a deep shot to Chase Claypool for a big 20+ yard gain.

1st & 10, Josh Dobbs in at QB and is almost sacked by Olivier Vernon escaping the sack to throw it away.

3rd & 10, Rudolph throws the ball with interior pressure and checks down to James Conner for an 8 yard catch and run.

4th & 2, Matthew Wright 46-yard field goal attempt is good.

Browns 10 - Steelers 9

The Browns are losing momentum as the game continues and the offense needs to respond with a touchdown. The defense is struggling in the short handed secondary and needs to force a turnover to flip momentum back in the Browns favor.

1st & 10, Mayfield back to pass finds Rashard Higgins in the zone for 13 yards.

1st & 10, Chubb gets a carry and is flung forward for a 3 yard gain.

2nd & 7, Chubb takes the pitch to the far sideline and avoids multiple defenders for two yards avoiding loss. 

3rd & 5, Mayfield in an empty backfield throws a high pass to David Njoku for a 14 yard pickup.

1st & 10, Mayfield back to pass pulls the ball down and scrambles in open grass for a 27 yard run.

1st & 10, Nick Chubb gets an inside carry and punches for a 4 yard gain.

2nd & 6, Mayfield back to pass throws a low pass on the far sideline to KhaDarel Hodge for a first down in front of the pylon.

1st & Goal, Mayfield off playaction finds Austin Hooper across the formation for a 2 yard touchdown.

Browns 17 - Steelers 9

The offense responded with an eight play touchdown drive with Mayfield going 4-for-4. It's time for the defense to force a turnover or get a three and out.

1st & 10, Rudolph back to pass finds Smith-Schuster for a 7 yard pick up.

2nd & 3, Benny Snell takes the carry fighting for a 6 yard gain.

1st & 10, Steelers penalized for illegal man downfield. Kevin Stefanski declines the penalty.

2nd & 10, Benny Snell takes the carry and is stopped quickly after 2 yard run.

3rd & 8, Rudolph in a empty backfield is pressured by the blitz throws it up and intercepted by M.J. Stewart with a return into the redzone.

1st & 10, Nick Chubb takes the carry and gains 3 yards.

2nd & 7, Mayfield in an empty backfield rolls right away from pressure finding David Njoku for no gain with a toe tap catch.

3rd & 8, Mayfield back to pass finds KhaDarel Hodge in the middle of field wide open down to the three yard line.

Fourth Quarter

1st & Goal, Mayfield hands off a jet sweep to Jarvis Landry for a 3 yard rushing touchdown.

Browns 24 - Steelers 9

1st & 10, Rudolph throws to Vance McDonald underneath for a first down pickup.

1st & 10, James Conner takes the carry and bounces outside for 7 yards.

2nd & 3, Conner gets another carry and gains 4 yards before being cut down by Karl Joseph.

2nd & 10, Rudolph back to pass finds Chase Claypool in the middle for ten yards.

1st & 10, James Conner takes the handoff and stopped for a one yard gain.

2nd & 9, Dobbs in at QB, pitches it Vance McDonald on the shovel option and is tackled quickly for 3 yards.

3rd & 6, Mason Rudolph back to pass and is hit by M.J. Stewart on the blitz and Myles Garrett makes a play in coverage to force incompletion.

4th & 6, Rudolph throws a quick pass to Diontae Johnson for a 9 yard gain against Robert Jackson in coverage.

1st & 10, Rudolph takes a shot in the endzone to Chase Claypool and the pass is broken up by Terrance Mitchell.

2nd & 10, Rudolph takes another shot in the endzone to Diontae Johnson and the ball is batted down by Ronnie Harrison.

3rd & 10, Mason Rudolph throws deep out to Chase Claypool on near sideline but incomplete.

4th & 10, Rudolph under pressure lobs a fade to Chase Claypool in the endzone and catches it over Terrance Mitchell for a touchdown.

Browns 24 - Steelers 16

1st & 10, Mayfield in an empty backfield finds Austin Hooper over the middle for a diving catch and a first down.

1st & 10, Kareem Hunt on the carry runs into a wall of defenders for no gain.

2nd & 10, Mayfield back to pass finds Jarvis Landry underneath for a 7 yard pickup.

3rd & 2, Mayfield in the shotgun surveys fields scrambles for 4 yards and a first down run.

1st & 10, Kareem Hunt takes the carry for a two yard run.

2nd & 8, Hunt gets the handoff and burst through for 5 yard gain and run the clock.

3rd & 3, Mayfield back to pass moves up in pocket and is sacked by Stephon Tuitt for a 4 yard loss.

4th & 7, Mayfield back to pass throws a loss pass to Rashard Higgins and it is incomplete. Turnover on downs.

1st & 10, Rudolph throws underneath to Vance McDonald and the pass is incomplete.

2nd & 10, Rudolph back to pass lobs a jump ball to Chase Claypool and the throw is broken up by Terrance Mitchell.

3rd & 10, Rudolph moves in the pocket connecting with Smith-Schuster for a first down.

1st & 10, Kevin Dotson flagged for false start.

1st & 15, Mason Rudolph back to pass throws a deep ball to Diontae Johnson for a huge gain into the redzone.

1st & Goal, Anthony McFarland takes the handoff from Josh Dobbs for a 5 yard run.

Two minute warning

2nd & Goal, Dobbs in at QB, pitches it to McDonald on a shovel option for three yards.

3rd & Goal, Rudolph throws underneath to JuJu Smith-Schuster for a two yard touchdown catch.

2pt-Conversion is no good as Rudolph overthrows Chase Claypool with Robert Jackson in coverage.

Browns 24 - Steelers 22

The onside kick is recovered by Stephen Carlson.

1st & 10, Nick Chubb takes the carry and runs for a 8 yard gain.

2nd & 2, Chubb takes the carry runs into a wall bounces it out for a one yard gain.

3rd & 1, Mayfield keeps the ball on a designed QB run and gains two yards for the first down.

Baker Mayfield kneels the clock out and the Browns are back in the playoffs ending the 18-year playoff drought.