Browns 14 vs. 26 Steelers summary: stats, scores, and highlights | Week 17

Big Ben holding back the tears in his final post game interview at Heinze Field.

Ben Roethlisberger went out with a bang in what was most likely his final game in Heinze Field all the while keeping the Pittsburgh Steelers alive in the playoff race in the AFC. Najee Harris stole the show running for 188 yards and a touchdown in the Steelers 26-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns.

It hasn’t been announced yet, but by the post game festivities and adoration that was poured upon the Steelers quarterback it certainly felt like a farewell to the fans that have cheered him on for the last 18 years at Heinze Field.

"I'm just so thankful for these fans and this place. There's no place like it," he said.

Pittsburgh still in the playoff hunt

The Steelers knew they had to win on Monday night to ensure a chance of sneaking in the playoffs on the final week of the regular season. They will need to beat the Baltimore Ravens, and the Jacksonville Jaguars to beat the Indianapolis Colts to clinch one more post season run for Roethlisberger.

It was the run game and the defense that stepped up in Big Ben’s swansong. Harris was unstoppable on a night where he broke a franchise rookie record for total yards in a season, dethroning Steelers legend Franco Harris.

Watt on the brink of history

Pittsburgh’s defense put Cleveland quarterback Baker Mayfield under constant pressure, and sacked him a total of nine times. T.J. Watt had four of those sacks and sits just one sack back of Michael Strahan’s all time record of 22.5 sacks in a season.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Steelers got on the board with a Roethlisberger touchdown pass to Diontae Johnson on a five yard touchdown. An Ahkello Witherspoon interception set up Chris Boswell’s first of four field goals later in the second quarter to take the Steelers to halftime up 10-0.

A quick field goal in the third quarter had the Steelers up by 13, but their drive was cut short at the 4 yard line, and they allowed the Browns to get back into the game.

Cleveland had a chance going into fourth quarter

Cleveland looked as though they were going to take advantage of the Steelers inability to stretch the lead to three possessions with a touchdown right before the end of the third quarter. Mayfield hit David Njoku for a three yard touchdown pass.

The comeback bid flamed out quickly as the Steelers kicked two more field goals to stretch the lead back to a two possession game. The Browns scored a consolation touchdown with a Harrison Bryant one yard TD reception.

The ensuing kick was recovered by Pittsburgh, and Harris busted a 37 yard touchdown run to close the book on Big Ben’s fairy tale career at Heinze Field. Roethlisberger took one more snap, taking a knee and the celebrations and adoration filled the Steelers Stadium as no one left the game early. Ben showed his appreciation to the fans and the fans showed their appreciation to their quarterback who served under center for nearly two decades, winning two Super Bowls along the way.

One of the best to ever do it, and one of the most loved players by his city in NFL history

Coach Tomlin showing his quarterback some much deserved love

A fitting swan song to Big Ben in Pittsburgh

Najee Harris ends Big Ben's the story book Heinze Field career with a 37 yard TD run.

After controling nearly three quarter of play, the Browns looked like they were going to make things uncomfortable the Steelers after this TD pass to Njoku.

Watt had 4 of the Steelers 9 sacks on the night. He needs just one more sack to tie Michael Strahan's record of 22.5

The Witherspoon pick led to a Boswell field goal midway through the second quarter.

Big Ben for the first touchdown in Heinze Field for the last time.

Not a single person has left their seats as they show their appreciation for Big Ben.

STEELERS WIN!!!

It's all over from Pittsburgh as Roethlisberger takes one last snap in Heinze Field!!!

Fitzpatrick comes up with the recovery on the onside kick and the Steelers should be able to run out the clock.

A pass interference call on Sutton will give Cleveland a 1st and Goal from the 1 yard line.

Mayfield hits Peoples-Jones on fourth down for a gain of 15 and the Browns have it on the PIT 22.

Higgins makes a finger tip save after the Two Minute Warning, and that will bring up a 4th and 2

Right after the first down the Steelers get their ninth sack of the game courtesy of Mondeaux.

Mayfield scrambles for a first down and lowers his shoulder, but it was the shouler that has been banged up all season.

The Browns get bailed out on 4th and 19 with a defensive pass interference. That moves the chains with a 1st and 10 form the CLE 41.

Mayfield gets eaten up again! This time by Highsmith, and that will bring up 4th and 19!

Watt gets sack number 4 of the night and he is just one sack away from Michael Strahan's record of 22.5.

FIELD GOAL STEELERS!!!

Claypool couldn't make the catch on the back shoulder throw on 4th down, but Boswell hits the 48 yard field goal.

PIT lead 19-7 and time is running out for the Browns with under 6 minutes to go.

The Steelers look like they are going to pound it with Harris to wind some clock down.

PIT get the ball in Browns terriotry after a nice return fro McCloud. 1st and 10 from the CLE 37.

Mayfield has been sacked 6 times tonight.

The Steelers defense has turned on yet again stopping Chubb in the backfield, and then sacking Mayfield on the next play. A hold on 3rd down brings up 3rd and 26.

FIELD GOAL STEELERS!!!

Johnson slips on a comeback route on 3rd down, which leads to 4th and long.

The Steelers opt to kick the long field goal and Boswell drills the 50 yarder to stretch it to a two possession game.

PIT leads 16-7 with 9:45 to go in the third quarter.

The Steelers go to Harris on 3rd and 2, and he moves the chains. 1st and 10 from the CLE 34.

If the Steelers can get a field goal they will stretch this game to a two possession contest.

Harris keeps trucking, he picks up 12 yards for the first play of the drive. He has 128 yards on 21 rushes

A holding call stopped the Browns drive in it's tracks, and the punt was shanked for only 21 yards.

Pittsburgh will get the ball looking to take back control of this game after losing over the last few minutes. A couple first downs, and a few minutes ran off the clock would do the home team wonders.

Njoky climbing the ladder for the Browns first score of the night.

What a momentum shifting sequenece it was when the Steelers had to settle for a field goal, which kept it a two possession game.

Another quick strike to start the drive for Mayfield, who hit Hooper over the middle for a gain of 21 yards.

The Steelers go three and out after the Browns touchdown, and Pittsburgh looks like Cleveland in the first half at the moment.

CLE take over with a chance to take the lead as we head into the fourth quarter.

TOUCHDOWN BROWNS!!!

Mayfield hits Njoku in the corner of the endzone, and Njoku climbing the ladder to go get the ball at it's highest point for a 3 yard TD pass.

Cleveland are back in this ball game, 13-7 Steelers lead.

Here come Cleveland!!! Mayfield hits Peoples-Jones and picks up 48 yards down to the PIT 9.

CLE has to convert on their first redzone trip tonight.

Clowney drops Big Ben in the backfield and that brings up fourth down!

CLE will have great field position after the Steelers 3 and out.

1st and 10 Browns from the PIT 48

Cleveland fail to construct a drive yet again, and are forced to punt again.
McCloud bobbled the punt, but recovered it inside the 5 yard line.

Check out this stiff arm from Harris.. yikes

Chubb moves the chains, and we just haven't seen enough of the Browns handing the ball off to one of the best running backs in the league.

The Cleveland defense has done a great job keeping the Browns in the game, but the offense has to show a sign of life, and soon.

FIELD GOAL STEELERS!!!

The answer is no they can't, Boswell comes on and drills the 30 yard field goal and the Steelers lead 13-0.

A touchdown here could wrap things up from Heinze Field, Can the Steelers punch it in to make it a three score game?

PIT are in the red zone after a crossing pattern by McCloud picks up 12 yards.

1st and 10 from the CLE 14. 

Big Ben and Johnson connect for a couple quick passes to get into CLE territory.

Johsnson has 8 receptions, but only has 31 yards.

Harris busts a big run, and breaks Franco Harris' rookie record for PIT running backs. He did it with a a devastating stiff arm. Wait until you see ths play.

Cleveland go three and out after a the third sack on Mayfield again. Not much has changed from the first half to the start of the second.

PIT takes over from their 22 yard line.

Bad news for the Browns, they have lost 24 straight while trailing by 8+ points

We are back in action for the second half from Pittsburgh. The Cleveland Browns get the ball to start the third quarter.

Chubb has yet to get into the game, He has 4 carries for 35 yards.

Harris has 71 yards on the ground for Steelers in the first half.

Mayfield is just 4/15 for 58 yards and has thrown one INT

Roethlisberger is 20/34 with 96 yards and a touchdown and an INT

Witherspoon's pick led to the Boswell field goal

Big Ben hits Johnson for the first score of the game.

INTERCEPTION BROWNS!!!!

Big Ben is intercepted on the final play of the first half.

Freiermuth picked up the first down and then Delpit, who was injured early in the game, was flagged for unneccesary roughness which may just make the Steelers think about getting some points beofre the half is done.

After the punt PIT will take over from the 20 with two timeouts and 34 second to go in the half.

Mayfield dropped by Watt on 3rd and 2, and the league's sack leader adds to his tally.

Mayfield fires a dart to Peoples-Jones and picks up 22 yards to the PIT 47. Under a minute to go in the half.

Another false start on 3rd down for the Browns will bring up 3rd and 12.

Witherspoon's pick on Mayfield that set of the field goal earlier in the quarter.

Mayfield finally moves the chains on just his second completion of the night, hitting Landry for 9 yards.

That brings us to the Two Minute Warning with CLE at their own 32.

FIELD GOAL BROWNS!!!

The Browns hold the Steelers from inside the 5, and PIT settle for the 22 yard Boswell field goal.

Pittsburgh lead 10-0 with 3 minutes to go in the first half.

Delpit was a victim of some friendly fire as he collided with a teammate and injured his knee on the play. We will keep you posted on his status.
The Browns already came into tonight with a depleted defense.

McCloud got crushed over the middle but hung on to the ball to convert on third down for the first time tonight. Previously PIT was 0/7, and CLE was 0/4.

1st and Goal Steerler from the 5.

Cries of MUUUUUTTTHHHH ring around the stadium for the first time tonight as Freiermuth picks up a first down on a 12 yard catch and run.

1st and 10 from the CLE 16.

INTERCEPTION STEELERS!!!

We have been expecting it for some time now, and it finally happened. Witherspoon steps infront of the pass to Peoples-Jones and comes up with the interception.

That pick came on Mayfield's 9th straight incompletion, which is an NFL record this season .

The Steelers follow up the Browns three and out with one of their own. Offense has been at a premium tongiht from Heinze Field.

1st and 10 CLE from their own 26

Clowney wraps up Roethlisberger, who fumbled the ball but recovered it quickly to bring up 3rd and long.

The Browns go 3 and out after allowing the touchdown and the Steelers have a chance to take control of the game on this drive.

1st and 10 from the PIT 37 after a 15 yard McCloud return

Big Ben hooking up with Johnson for the games first touchdown

Clowney flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after the Browns came up with a stop on 3rd and 10.
That gives the Steelers 1st and 10 from the 18 yard line

I'll tell you what, both quarterbacks are lucky there haven't been a couple INTs on both sides of the ball.

After the sack CLE punts, and the Steelers take over from their 34.

Mayfield is dropped in the backfield by Watt for a loss of 10 and that will bring and end to a scoreless first quarter.

Mayfield was almost picked on the first play of the drive, Watt popped the ball up at the line and it was up for grabs, but fell harmlessly to the ground much to the relief of the Browns.

Big Ben was almost interceptedon the slant pass to Freiermuth, and the Steelers turn it over on downs.

Another 4th down atttempt coming up from PIT. They need 5 yards from the CLE 31

Big Ben has take a couple of deep shots down field, and if he ends up retiring at the end of the season it won't be because he doesn't still have an arm.

4th down again, this time it's the Steelers from the CLE 41, and Watt moves the chains with a two yard run.

Five minutes to go in the first quarter, and niether teams has been able to construct much of a drive. Here come the Steelers looking for the first points on the night.

Heyward bats the ball down at the line, and the Browns turn it over on downs.

From the 38 it would have been a very long field goal in an already difficult stadium to kick in. The Browns take a risk and pay the price.

Another false start on third down, this time it's the Browns commiting the penalty on 3rd and 2. Mayfield's pass to Landry is to far in front of the WR and that brings up 4th and 7 from the PIT 38

Chubb finds a hole on the first play of the drive and picks up 32 yards on the biggest play of the young night.

A false start penalty on 3rd and 4 brought 3rd and long which the Steelers couldn't convert.

Baker and the Browns will take over from the 27.

Harris gets his frist run, and picks up 8 yards and a first down. Harris was one of the few bright spots in the loss to the Chiefs last week, really promising future for the rookie rusher.

After the 20 yard gain the Browns drive hits a halt. The Steelers will start their second drive from the 25 after the punt rolled into the endzone.

Mayfiled's last couple of passes have been off the mark, and how much is that torn labrum affecting the Cleveland QB? He's been dealing with it all season, and he looks to be dealing with it again tonight.

He has come under scrutiny in Cleveland, but how about giving it up for the toughness of this guy. He is a warrior, who has played thorugh pain all yera long.

Chubb is swallowed up on the first run of the game, and Pittsburgh have to key in on the run.

CLE going no huddle and get a quick pick up of 20 yards from Landry's catch and run.

Big Ben starts off with five straight passes, but the Steelers are held after moving the chains once.

Cleveland gets the ball from their 27 after a facemask penalty on Layne.

Roethlisberger is 24-3-1 all time against the Browns. Can he make it 25 tonight?

Big Ben takes the field perhaps for the last time ever at Heinze Stadium

We are underway from Pittsburgh and the Steelers will get the ball first after the Browns win the toss and differ.

According to Bet365.com the Steelers are a 1 point favorite tonight, with the Over/Under set at 43.5

We are 10 minutes away from kick off from Pittsburgh

Big Ben's career has been incredible, his numbers at home legendary.

This is the Steelers last home game of the season, will it be the last time we see Big Ben at Heinze Field?

The empty collesium before the gladiators take the field.

The Browns brough Baker to Cleveland to win games like tonight's. All eyes will be on him and Big Ben

Cleveland RB Kareem Hunt is amoung the six inactives for the Browns coming into tonight

Cleveland pulling up flashing the drip.

Mayfield thwarts threats

Browns QB Baker Mayfield has been the target of death threats over the last few weeks. Mayfield has shrugged of the threats against his life, but said it has affected his loved ones who are finding it hard to brush off the morbid message.

Full story here

Big Ben's final tiks?

We may be witnessing the end of an era in Pittsburgh. If the Steelers don’t make the playoffs, this could Ben Roethlisberger’s penultimate game. There has been a lot of talk of this year being his last and this week the legendary quarterback spoke about his feeling concerning retirement.

Full story here

Mayfield with four picks in loss to Packers

It may have been a heart breaking loss for the Cleveland, but the Browns kept it close until the end against the league’s top team, the Green Bay Packers. They were a field goal away from taking the lead in the last minute of the game, but Baker Mayfield threw an interception to seal the Packers 24-22 victory. Mayfield threw for 222 yards and two TDs but also had four interceptions in the one possession game that puts the Browns behind the 8 ball when it comes to their playoff chances.

Pittsburgh trying to forget about Chiefs game

The Steelers came up with a huge win over the Titans in Week 15, but looked like they were out of gas in their following game against the Kansas City Chiefs last week. They trailed 14-0 by the end of the first quarter, and KC put them to rest in the second half cruising comfortably to a 36-10 victory. Ben Roethlisberger threw for just 159 yards, and a touchdown in the loss, while Najee Harris was the only one who had a respectable game with 93 yards on the ground.

Here are all the details of how and where to watch tonight's pivotal game from Heinze Field.