If you walk into a bar in Youngstown, Ohio—right on the border where the black-and-gold meets the seal-brown—you’re basically stepping into a DMZ. This isn't just about football. It’s about two cities, separated by a couple of hours of turnpike, that have been trading punches since 1950.
Honestly, it's exhausting. But we love it.
The latest chapter of steelers vs cleveland browns discussions just wrapped up with the 2025 season, and man, it was a weird one. You had a Pittsburgh team that somehow scraped together a 10-7 record to win the AFC North, while the Browns finished at a dismal 5-12. Yet, if you ask a Browns fan about December 28, 2025, they’ll grin like they won the Super Bowl. Why? Because Cleveland choked out a 13-6 win at Huntington Bank Field that day, effectively playing spoiler and making the Steelers’ path to the playoffs way harder than it needed to be.
That’s the thing about this rivalry. The records usually don’t matter as much as the physical toll.
The Numbers People Get Wrong
People love to say the Steelers "own" the Browns. Statistically, yeah, it’s hard to argue. Pittsburgh leads the all-time series 83-65-1. Since the Browns returned to the NFL in 1999, it’s been even more lopsided.
But you’ve gotta look at the eras.
Cleveland actually dominated the early years, winning the first eight meetings. The Steelers didn’t even get a "W" until 1954. Back then, the Browns were the dynasty, appearing in six straight NFL Championship games. Then the 70s happened. Chuck Noll—who, ironically, was a Cleveland native and former Browns linebacker—turned Pittsburgh into the Steel Curtain.
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The 2025 season provided a perfect microcosm of this frustration. The Steelers won the first meeting in October 23-9, keeping their 20-game home winning streak against Cleveland alive. It’s a streak that feels cursed if you’re from Northeast Ohio. But then Cleveland turned around and held the Steelers to just six points in the rematch. No touchdowns. Just two Chris Boswell field goals.
Why the T.J. Watt vs. Myles Garrett Debate is Toxic
You can't have steelers vs cleveland browns discussions in 2026 without someone losing their mind over who is the better pass rusher.
The 2025 season took this to a nuclear level. Myles Garrett put up a season for the ages, finishing with 23 sacks. He officially broke the single-season record (depending on which source you trust, but the NFL's official tally has him at the top). Meanwhile, T.J. Watt had what some called a "down" year by his standards—7 sacks in 14 games—while dealing with nagging injuries.
Browns fans are taking a victory lap. "See? Myles is the GOAT," they say.
Steelers fans hit back with the 2021 stats. Watt had 22.5 sacks in just 15 games that year.
The nuance is where it gets interesting. Garrett often faces double-team rates that are statistically higher than almost anyone in the league. Watt, on the other hand, is a master of the "splash play"—forced fumbles, interceptions, and tipped passes. In 2025, Watt still managed two interceptions and three forced fumbles despite the lower sack count.
It's a clash of styles. Strength versus twitch. End versus Outside Linebacker. It’s also a proxy war for the cities themselves.
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The "Turkey" Jones Incident and Why We Can't Move On
To understand why a 13-6 game in late 2025 felt so violent, you have to go back to 1976. Joe "Turkey" Jones basically spike-drilled Terry Bradshaw into the turf. It’s one of the most famous—or infamous—hits in NFL history. Bradshaw’s head hit the grass, his legs went limp, and a rivalry that was already heated became hateful.
That hatred was rekindled in 2019 with the Mason Rudolph and Myles Garrett helmet incident. People still bring it up every single time these teams meet. It’s why the referees are always on a hair-trigger during these games.
In the most recent December matchup, there were 17 combined penalties. Seventeen! The game was a slog. It was ugly. It was exactly what AFC North football is supposed to be.
What Really Happened in the 2025 Standings
The AFC North was a mess last year. Let's be real.
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 10-7 (1st in Div)
- Baltimore Ravens: 8-9
- Cincinnati Bengals: 6-11
- Cleveland Browns: 5-12
The Steelers didn't win because they were an offensive powerhouse. They won because Russell Wilson, at 37 years old, played "boring" football. He didn't turn it over. They relied on Najee Harris to grind out four yards a carry and let the defense do the rest.
The Browns, conversely, were a train wreck of injuries. Deshaun Watson’s contract continues to be the albatross around the franchise's neck. But even with a 5-12 record, their defense finished in the top five for total yards allowed. They are a team that is built to beat the Steelers, even if they can't beat anyone else.
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Looking Toward 2026
If you’re following the steelers vs cleveland browns discussions for the upcoming season, the narrative is already shifting.
Pittsburgh is looking to fix a stagnant offense that only averaged 17 points per game in the final month of 2025. Cleveland is looking at a complete overhaul of their coaching staff's offensive philosophy.
One thing is certain: when the 2026 schedule drops, fans of both teams will immediately circle the two dates they play each other. It’s the first thing we do.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
- Watch the Trench War: Next time they play, stop watching the ball. Watch the left tackle for the Steelers vs. Myles Garrett. It is a masterclass in hand-fighting and leverage.
- Check the Injury Report Early: This rivalry is physical. In 2025, the winner of both games was the team that had fewer starters on the IR that week.
- Ignore the "Win Rate" Stats: PFF (Pro Football Focus) loves pass-rush win rates, but in the AFC North, the only stat that matters is "did the QB get the ball off?"
- Bet the Under: Historically, these games are defensive struggles. The total points in the last three meetings were 32, 29, and 19.
The 2025 season is in the books, but the bitterness is just marinating. The Steelers might have the division crown, but the Browns have the most recent "W" and the sack record. That's enough fuel to keep the fire burning until next September.
Key Insight: Keep an eye on the Steelers' salary cap movements this spring. With Watt’s contract aging and the need for a long-term solution at QB, the way they build the roster will determine if they can keep Cleveland at arm's length or if the "spoiler" role becomes a permanent shift in power.