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Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns: PFM Team Comparison

PFM rates the Pittsburgh Steelers higher than the Cleveland Browns overall, with a clear advantage. The main reasons are the stronger coaching operation and the less unsettled quarterback situation.

Current PFM Team Scores

Clear edgePIT

Pittsburgh Steelers

80.0PFM Team Score#13 NFL
CLE

Cleveland Browns

72.5PFM Team Score#30 NFL
HEAD-TO-HEAD RESULTS

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns: Previous Meetings

Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns are level at 1 wins apiece across 2 recorded meetings.

Pittsburgh Steelers1 wins
Cleveland Browns1 wins
Recorded meetings2

Recent Meetings

DateMatchupFinalWinner
Nov 1, 2026Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers6–27Pittsburgh Steelers
Oct 1, 2026Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns24–27Cleveland Browns
  1. Nov 1, 20262026 season
    Cleveland BrownsAway6 – 27Pittsburgh SteelersHome
    Pittsburgh Steelers won
  2. Oct 1, 20262026 season
    Pittsburgh SteelersAway24 – 27Cleveland BrownsHome
    Cleveland Browns won

Results shown: 2026. Scores since 1999: nflverse (CC BY 4.0). Earlier meetings that have not been verified are excluded.

Swap Teams Clear Comparison
PFM JUDGMENT

Why PFM Rates the Pittsburgh Steelers Higher

The Pittsburgh Steelers have the stronger coaching operation under Mike McCarthy. The advantage shows up in preparation, adjustments and pressure situations. The Cleveland Browns are closest in explosiveness, where the teams remain essentially even.

Pittsburgh also brings the less unsettled quarterback situation. Pittsburgh adds the more dependable offense. That is enough to keep the Pittsburgh Steelers ahead.

TEAM DNA COMPARISON

Pittsburgh vs. Cleveland Across the Core Pillars

The farther a team reaches, the stronger the rating. Each category also calls out which team has the edge and the exact gap. Hover on desktop or tap on mobile to isolate one team.

PITPittsburgh Steelers
CLECleveland Browns
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns Team DNA comparisonPFM category scores on a 0 to 100 scale. QB Stability: Pittsburgh Steelers 74.2, Cleveland Browns 67.8, edge PIT +6.4; Offense: Pittsburgh Steelers 78.8, Cleveland Browns 71.9, edge PIT +6.9; Defense: Pittsburgh Steelers 85.9, Cleveland Browns 82.5, edge PIT +3.4; Coaching Direction: Pittsburgh Steelers 84.2, Cleveland Browns 73.3, edge PIT +10.9; Roster Depth: Pittsburgh Steelers 78.2, Cleveland Browns 75.6, edge PIT +2.6. Hover on desktop or tap on mobile to isolate one team at a time.
Hover or tap a team to focus that profile. Use Show Both to bring the overlay back.
CLEVELAND’S BEST PUSHBACK

Explosiveness Is Cleveland’s Only Close Fight

Cleveland's big-play ability gives the team one place to push back. The Browns are only 0.3 points behind Pittsburgh in Explosiveness, but that is where Cleveland's case ends. Pittsburgh still has Aaron Rodgers at quarterback and the deeper roster, two advantages the Browns cannot match in this comparison.

COMPLETE COMPARISON

Where Each Team Has the Edge

PFM Team Score

PIT80.0
Pittsburgh Steelers 80.0
CLE72.5
Cleveland Browns 72.5
Clear Pittsburgh Steelers edge

Overall NFL Rank

PIT#13
Pittsburgh Steelers #13
CLE#30
Cleveland Browns #30
Pittsburgh Steelers ranks higher

QB Stability

PIT74.2
Pittsburgh Steelers 74.2
CLE67.8
Cleveland Browns 67.8
Clear Pittsburgh Steelers edge

Roster Strength

PIT78.2
Pittsburgh Steelers 78.2
CLE75.6
Cleveland Browns 75.6
Clear Pittsburgh Steelers edge

Coaching Direction

PIT84.2
Pittsburgh Steelers 84.2
CLE73.3
Cleveland Browns 73.3
Major Pittsburgh Steelers edge

Recent Performance

PIT86.2
Pittsburgh Steelers 86.2
CLE73.6
Cleveland Browns 73.6
Major Pittsburgh Steelers edge

Offense

PIT78.8
Pittsburgh Steelers 78.8
CLE71.9
Cleveland Browns 71.9
Clear Pittsburgh Steelers edge

Defense

PIT85.9
Pittsburgh Steelers 85.9
CLE82.5
Cleveland Browns 82.5
Clear Pittsburgh Steelers edge

Franchise Direction

PIT74.9
Pittsburgh Steelers 74.9
CLE69.5
Cleveland Browns 69.5
Clear Pittsburgh Steelers edge

Explosiveness

PIT75.9
Pittsburgh Steelers 75.9
CLE75.6
Cleveland Browns 75.6
Slight Pittsburgh Steelers edge

Conference Rank

PIT#7
Pittsburgh Steelers #7
CLE#14
Cleveland Browns #14
Pittsburgh Steelers ranks higher

Division Rank

PIT#2
Pittsburgh Steelers #2
CLE#4
Cleveland Browns #4
Pittsburgh Steelers ranks higher

Outlook

PITPlayoff ContenderCLEPlayoff Long Shot
Stronger outlook: Pittsburgh Steelers
SCHEDULE CONTEXT

Which Team Has the Tougher Road?

Pittsburgh Steelers

Remaining schedule rank: #22

Toughest stretch: Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars

Strongest opponents: Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars, Cincinnati Bengals

Next five difficulty: 80.8

View Pittsburgh Steelers Road Ahead

Cleveland Browns

Remaining schedule rank: #27

Toughest stretch: Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals

Strongest opponents: Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans

Next five difficulty: 77.5

View Cleveland Browns Road Ahead

Pittsburgh has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 22. The strongest opponents include Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Cincinnati Bengals. Cleveland gains one meaningful schedule advantage, while Pittsburgh still owns the stronger football advantages elsewhere.

View the complete all-32 Road Ahead

Ratings and Schedule Freshness

PFM ratings updated November 3, 2026. Schedule data updated November 9, 2026.

How to Read This Comparison

PFM Team Score determines the overall order. The Team DNA comparison puts five core pillars on the same 0–100 scale, while the full rows show every current category.

PFM compares overall team strength rather than predicting one matchup. Road Ahead adds schedule context without changing PFM Team Score.

See the complete PFM NFL Team Rankings and methodology.

PFM ratings updated
How PFM grades NFL teams