On January 3, 2021, the Browns entered Week 17 at home with a chance to clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Steelers. The Steelers rested a few of their starters, with Mason Rudolph playing as quarterback. Despite a late rally, the Steelers lost to the Browns 24–22. The win meant that the 11–5 Browns clinched the 6-seed and faced the Steelers in Pittsburgh for a rematch on Wild Card Weekend. Prior to the playoff game, Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster was quoted as saying "The Browns is the Browns" (implying The same old Browns( and "nameless grey faces." Several Cleveland players took Smith-Schuster's comments personally. Despite losing the majority of their coaching staff to the Reserve/COVID-19 list, the Browns forced five Steelers turnovers, led 28–0 in the first quarter, and won 48–37 to advance to the divisional round. This was the Browns' first win at Heinz Field since 2003 and their first ever playoff win against the Steelers.