Myles Garrett has said all season that winning matters more to him than chasing the NFL’s single-season sack record. Even in a frustrating year for the Cleveland Browns, he has kept that priority clear.

On Sunday, he didn’t get the record, but he got something he valued even more.

Cleveland’s 13-6 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers not only snapped a four-game losing streak and moved the Browns past last season’s win total, it also stopped the Steelers from clinching the AFC North title.

“It feels great. They’re our rival, we always want to beat them, doesn’t matter the circumstances,” Garrett said after the game. “So glad to have the opportunity to do it and get the job done.”

Steelers Miss Chance To Wrap Up AFC North

Pittsburgh came into the weekend at 9-7, needing either a win over Cleveland or a Baltimore loss to lock up its first division crown since 2020.

Instead, the loss sets up a winner-takes-the-division showdown next week. The Steelers will host the Ravens in the regular-season finale, with the AFC North title and the AFC’s No. 4 playoff seed on the line.

“I have full confidence we’ll go home and win next week,” Aaron Rodgers said. He finished 21-of-39 for 168 yards through the air.

Browns Defense Delivers A Rare Feat

For the Browns, now 4-12, this was a rare defensive performance against their longtime rival. It was the first time since Dec. 10, 2009, that Cleveland beat Pittsburgh while holding the Steelers without a touchdown.

It was also only the seventh time in Aaron Rodgers’ 256 career starts that his offense failed to reach the end zone. Just one of those previous games ended in a win for his team.

“Outstanding, and a bunch of individual efforts,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. “Obviously, Myles getting all the attention he got. I thought (cornerback) Tyson (Campbell) was outstanding. I thought (linebacker) Carson (Schwesinger) battled and fought like he always does and ends up tackling the guy to the ground. You know, just a bunch of individual efforts and that was what was required today.”

Steelers Focus On Garrett, Not The End Zone

The Steelers were already shorthanded on offense. Top wide receiver DK Metcalf was out, serving the first game of a two-game suspension after an altercation with a fan in Detroit last week.

Still, their offensive approach raised eyebrows. Pittsburgh’s game plan seemed more focused on making sure Garrett did not break the sack record against them than on sealing a playoff berth.

Garrett led the Browns with six pressures on 39 pass-rush snaps. The Steelers chip-blocked or double-teamed him 16 times. When he faced single coverage, they either moved Rodgers out of the pocket in the opposite direction or had him get the ball out quickly.

“They kind of fell into the same line of thinking that the Packers did (in Week 3),” Garrett said. “You know, we’ll just throw everything at them and see if we can muster effort to win without it.”

Sanders, Fannin And Szmyt Lead Browns’ Scoring

Cleveland came out sharp on offense, scoring on its first two drives and taking a 10-0 lead. Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders completed 17 of 23 passes for 186 yards. He threw one touchdown and two interceptions and improved to 2-4 as an NFL starter.

Rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. stayed hot, finding the end zone for the third time in four games. Kicker Andre Szmyt added two field goals, including a 33-yarder that pushed the Browns’ lead to 13-6 with 1:40 left in the fourth quarter.

After the kickoff, Pittsburgh started at its own 35. Rodgers led a quick drive and got the Steelers down to the Browns’ 7-yard line in five plays. But he misfired on three straight throws to Marquez Valdes-Scantling. On fourth-and-goal with 17 seconds left, Denzel Ward stayed tight on Valdes-Scantling in the right corner of the end zone, and the pass fell incomplete. The Steelers turned it over on downs, and Cleveland held on.

“I didn’t think we played poorly. I thought the game was kind of unfolding in the way that you would anticipate, but we never made that signature play that kind of got us over the hump,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said.

The Game’s Only Touchdown

Cleveland scored the lone touchdown of the afternoon with 5:11 remaining in the first quarter. Sanders hit Fannin for a 28-yard strike to make it 10-0.

On the play, Fannin adjusted his route while the ball was in the air. He secured the catch at the 1-yard line and then rolled into the end zone.

“I didn’t really think too much about it. I just saw the ball there and adjusted to grab it. I’m thankful that 12 (Sanders) put it up there for me to grab it,” Fannin said.

The celebration was short-lived for him personally. Fannin aggravated a groin injury on the touchdown and was ruled out for the rest of the game. He originally hurt the groin during Friday’s practice.

“It felt good getting a win overall and especially the team we won against,” Sanders said later. “I think it’s been bittersweet because I feel like the offense, we got to do our part. I got to do my part a little bit more, we can’t be happy with only 13 points on the board.”

Steelers Let Key Chances Slip Away

Pittsburgh had chances to change the game but couldn’t take advantage.

Late in the first half, with 2:46 left in the second quarter, the Steelers turned the ball over on downs at the Cleveland 22. On fourth-and-1, Rodgers tried to hit Scotty Miller in the end zone but couldn’t connect.

That drive had started at the Browns’ 31-yard line. Rookie linebacker Jack Sawyer, an Ohio State product, picked off Sanders at the Pittsburgh 42 and returned it 27 yards into Cleveland territory, setting up a prime opportunity that went wasted.

In the fourth quarter, Chris Boswell came up short on a 54-yard field goal attempt. The kick came after Alex Wright sacked Rodgers for a 5-yard loss on third-and-14 at the Browns’ 36, pushing the Steelers back and making the try more difficult.

Ugly Trend Against Weak Teams

The loss continued an unusual and troubling stretch for Pittsburgh. The Steelers are now winless (0-4-1) in their past five games against teams that are at least eight games under .500.

That skid ties them with two of the league’s historically struggling runs: the 1985-87 Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the 1993-2009 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, both of whom went 0-5 in such games.

Injuries Pile Up For Both Teams

Injuries hit both sides during the game.

For the Steelers, tight end Darnell Washington suffered a broken arm in the second quarter and did not return.

For the Browns, Fannin’s groin injury was the most notable. Guard Wyatt Teller aggravated a calf injury in the first quarter, and guard Tevin Jenkins left in the fourth quarter with a concussion.

What’s Next

The regular season will end with high stakes for Pittsburgh and a chance to finish strong for Cleveland.

• Steelers: Host the Baltimore Ravens next weekend in a game that will decide the AFC North champion.
• Browns: Travel to Cincinnati to close out their season against the Bengals.