Steelers-Browns Rivalry: Cleveland Seeks Historic Sweep

The Cleveland Browns play the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday, October 30, 2026, at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Cleveland holds the momentum in this divisional rivalry, having won four of the last six matchups since November 2023. The Browns defeated Pittsburgh 27-24 in their previous meeting on October 1 in Cleveland. A victory on Friday would mark the first time since 1988 that Cleveland swept the season series against Pittsburgh. This 36-season drought, which accounts for the franchise's three-year sabbatical after moving to Baltimore, represents the longest streak in NFL history of a team failing to beat a divisional opponent twice in the same year.

Quarterback Deshaun Watson has driven each of Cleveland's five wins this season with fourth-quarter drives. Only Troy Aikman in 1990 and Matthew Stafford in 2016 have achieved a similar feat for their team's first five victories of a season. Watson leads the NFL in passer rating at 132.2 and completion percentage at 73.2 during the final two minutes of halves. Each of Cleveland's last four wins included a go-ahead field goal in the final two minutes of regulation. The Browns have not allowed an opposing quarterback to pass for 300 or more yards in 52 games, the longest active streak in the league.

Key matchups will feature Steelers running back Jaylen Warren against Browns inside linebacker Carson Schwesinger. Schwesinger, the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, ranks sixth in the NFL with 64 tackles. He is graded among the top 10 off-ball linebackers in run defense by Pro Football Focus. Warren ranks seventh in rushing yards with 561, including 472 in his last five games. The Steelers also hope to welcome wide receiver Ben Skowronek back from a two-game absence due to a calf injury, as he returned to practice this week. Reserve cornerback Brandin Echols is expected to miss a second consecutive game.

Pittsburgh has won 22 consecutive home regular-season games against Cleveland. Their last loss at Acrisure Stadium occurred on October 5, 2003. The Steelers have a 47-6 record against the Browns at home since the 1970 AFL/NFL merger. A win would move Cleveland to 6-2 for the first time since 1994. Pittsburgh would improve to 6-2 for the second time in three years.

The Browns' defensive front has limited opposing passing attacks, while the Steelers have allowed 38 receptions and 289 receiving yards to opposing running backs, the highest totals in the NFL. Cleveland running back Quinshon Judkins is tied for 12th in the league with 19 receptions. Third-down back Dylan Sampson has played in only two games this season due to a knee injury, but he recorded 33 catches as a rookie in 2025 while playing 26% of offensive snaps.

The series record stands at 81-65-1 in favor of the Steelers. The Browns are seeking to end a historic run that has defined the divisional rivalry for over three decades.