Looking back at the Steelers vs Browns rivalry

The Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the most storied rivalries in all of the NFL. This week the rivalry is renewed with their first showdown of the 2021 NFL season. Let’s take a quick look back at how this game has gone in recent years.

History favors the Steelers

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Steelers vs Browns goes all the way back to 1950 and the two teams have squared off a total of 139 career meetings. The Steelers lead the overall series including regular and postseason with a 77-61-1 record. The Browns dominated the series 31-9 until the AFL/NFL merger in 1970.

2000-2009

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The Steelers dominated the decade with an 18-3 record. This was the decade when the Steelers took over the lead in the overall series. Pittsburgh won two Super Bowls during this stretch and swept the series with Cleveland in each of those seasons.

2010-2019

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Pittsburgh won this decade as well, dominating the Browns 16-3-1. In 2018 the Steelers tied the Browns 21-21 for the first time in series history. This decade closed out with the most infamous matchup between these two teams when Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph and Browns defensive lineman Myles Garrett got into a brawl at the end of the game culminating with Garrett hitting Rudolph over the head with his own helmet.

2020-Present

[Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]

Unfortunately for the Steelers, this new decade hasn’t kicked off great for them in this rivalry. The Browns and Steelers split the regular-season series with both teams winning at home. But Cleveland got some sweet payback for years of being dominated when they knocked off the Steelers in the playoffs in Pittsburgh 48-37.

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