Steel Curtain Still Stands: Steelers Dominate Browns to Extend Two-Decade Home Streak
October 14, 2025
In one of the NFL’s most storied rivalries, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns clashed once again in a hard-hitting, defense-filled showdown that lived up to its gritty reputation. The Steelers come into this game having not lost to the Browns in Pittsburgh in the regular season since 2003! An Astounding 21-0 record in that time frame, the longest streak of its kind in the league. With division pride on the line, both teams brought intensity from the opening whistle. Whether it was bone-jarring defense, timely offense, or drive killing sacks, the Steelers dominated from the start.
The first play of the game the Steelers did what fans have been begging of them and ran a play action to the big TE Darnell Washington for a gain of 36 yards but were only able to gain one more first down and the offense stalled out from there and settled for a field goal. Browns rookie Dillion Gabriel took the field for the first time in this rivalry, but a penalty set them up for a punt. From there it was much of the same with great defense from both sides, though Pittsburgh was able to produce 2 more drives but stalled out in range for Boswell to hit 2 more field goals. It wasn’t until the final seconds of the first half the Browns and Gabriel got their first points, a field goal after a long drive at the end of the second quarter, making the score 9-3 Steelers, to go into the half.
The second half started with the Browns on offense and it was a weird drive without doubt but was a 3 and out for the Browns. The Steelers followed this up with a 3 and out of their own but a running into the punter penalty on the Browns gave the Steelers a new set of downs. Aaron Rodgers wasn’t gonna let this opportunity go to waste. After a couple nice runs, Aaron Rodgers took a deep shot to a wide open DK Metcalf but underthrew him looking as if time may have caught up to his once special arm. The following play though, Rodgers moving to his right on a play action, hit DK for a 25 yard gain to set up a red zone opportunity. After another nice run by Warren, Rodgers rolling right threaded the needle looking like his vintage self for a 12 yard TD pass to Connor Heyward on a tough grab for a 16-3 lead. After another stop by Pittsburgh, and a long drive capped off by a 25 yard TD to DK Metcalf, it was 23-9 Steelers, putting the dagger through Cleveland.
In the end it was Pittsburgh and its defense, led by its front 7 (Specifically TJ Watt, Nick Herbig, Patrick Queen, and Jalen Ramsey), pulling out the W. Pittsburgh finished the game with 6 sacks, about 4 dropped interceptions, and held Cleveland to only 3.4 yards per play. Aaron Rodgers turned back the clock a few times going 21/30 for 235 yards and 2 TD’s to go with no turnovers, and the run game made plays when needed, putting up 100 total yards of rushing. Broderick Jones, who was tied for 2nd most sacks allowed so far with 4, and has struggled to start his career, held current DPOY favorite Myles Garrett to 0 sacks, 0 pressures and only 2 assisted tackles on 40 snaps, which played a huge part in the offense being able to move the ball at a high rate. Dillion Gabriel continued to show promise with his command and ball control, though still not being impressive , going 29/52 with 221 yards and 0 TD, 0 INT. He made a few nice throws that were unfortunately dropped as well as the Browns drop issues continue. Rookie TE and Ohio Native Harold Fannin, who has been having a standout rookie season after a record setting college career at Bowling Green, also had a nice game leading the Browns in receiving, finishing with 7 REC for 81 yards. This was a classic Mike Tomlin defense vs a rookie QB game, as Tomlin now moves to 27-6 all time vs rookie QBs and 15-1 at home vs rookie QBs. Tomlin also now moves to an impressive 15-4 record following a bye week, and hasn’t lost the week after his bye since 2016, now winning 9 straight post bye week games. The Steelers now move to 4-1 and first place with a 3.5 game lead in the AFC North, and the Browns fall to 1-5 and tied for last place.
Ben, Author
Communication major and junior from Ohio. I played college ball at the D2 level for Lake Erie College as a defensive end…so I know a thing or two about grit (and laundry day after turf stains). I’m a proud fan of the Steelers, Michigan, and Red Sox, and when I’m not watching or debating sports, you’ll probably catch me at a Steelers game.
The Goal Line Grind 