JuJu Smith-Schuster continued his heel twist last week when he shook off his first 2021 NFL playoff opponent by telling reporters, “The Browns are the Browns … they’re a good team, but I’m just glad we’re ‘playing them again this Sunday. “
With this remark, Smith-Schuster managed to reduce the wildcard matchup between the Steelers (12-4) and Browns (11-5) to the essentials. Are the Browns still the same old team that haven’t made a conference championship game since 1989? Or is this really a new era of skill in Cleveland? Pittsburgh, which should probably have stayed to itself given their four losses in the last five competitions, are hoping the AFC North’s balance of power will remain unchanged.
Cleveland quarterback Baker Mayfield’s ability to avoid sales is likely to be a key factor on Sunday night. In his second 2019 NFL season, he threw 21 interceptions and lost two fumbles. That year he threw only eight picks and lost four picks. Pittsburgh’s opportunistic defenses took second place in the league on takeaway.
Mayfield of course never entered the field in the postseason. Ben Roethlisberger has done this 21 times and won two Super Bowl rings.
So the importance of recent history is put to the test at Heinz Field.
Sporting News is following live scoring updates and highlights from the Steelers vs. Browns wildcard matchup on Sunday night. Follow for full results from the 2021 NFL playoff game.
MORE: Watch Steelers vs. Browns Live with fuboTV (7 Day Free Trial)
Steelers vs. Browns score
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | total | |
| Browns | – – | – – | – – | – – | 0 |
| Steelers | – – | – – | – – | – – | 0 |
Steelers vs. Browns Live Updates, Highlights
Live updates begin at approximately 8:15 p.m. ET.
Steelers vs. Browns start time
- Start time: 8:15 p.m. ET
- TV channels (national): NBC
- Live broadcast: NBC Sports App | fuboTV
Steelers vs. Browns will be the last wildcard game of the weekend. Upon completion, the 2021 division round of the NFL will be determined.
The 8:15 pm (ET) kick-off is the same start time as Monday Night Football, usually during the season, and five minutes earlier than the normal Sunday Night Football start time.
NFL playoff schedule 2021
Wildcard round
Saturday January 9th
| Match | Start time | TV channel | Live broadcast |
| Invoices 27, Colts 24 | 1:05 p.m. ET | CBS | CBS All Access, fuboTV |
| Rams 30, Seahawks 20th | 4:40 p.m. ET | Fox | Fox Sports Go, fuboTV |
| Buccaneer 31, Washington 23 | 8:15 p.m. ET | NBC | NBC Sports App, fuboTV |
Sunday January 10th
| Match | Start time | TV channel | Live broadcast |
| Ravens 20, Titans 13 | 1:05 p.m. ET | ESPN / ABC | ESPN App, fuboTV |
| Bears with saints | 4:40 p.m. ET | CBS / Nickelodeon / Amazon Prime | CBS All Access, Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV |
| Browns at Steelers | 8:15 p.m. ET | NBC | NBC Sports App, fuboTV |
Divisional round
Saturday 16th January
| Match | Start time | TV channel | Live broadcast |
| AFC Division Round (TBD at TBD) | TBD | TBD | fuboTV |
| NFC division round (TBD at TBD) | TBD | TBD | fuboTV |
Sunday 17th January
| Match | Start time | TV channel | Live broadcast |
| AFC Division Round (TBD at TBD) | TBD | TBD | fuboTV |
| NFC division round (TBD at TBD) | TBD | TBD | fuboTV |
Conference championships
Sunday January 24th
| Match | Visiting team | Start time | TV channel | Live broadcast |
| NFC championship | NFC TBD | 3:05 p.m. ET | Fox | fuboTV |
| AFC championship | AFC TBD | 6:40 p.m. ET | CBS | fuboTV |
Super Bowl 55
Sunday February 7th
| Match | Start time | TV channel | Live broadcast |
| AFC champion versus NFC champion | 6:30 p.m. ET | CBS | fuboTV |
